With an average price of 18,320 kroner per month for an apartment in Oslo, every kroner counts when it comes to family finances.
Here are some ways you can save money, according to parents in Norway.
Baby boxes, or barnepakke
When you're expecting or have a newborn, several stores offer free baby starter kits: Apotek 1, Vitusapotek, Rema1000 and Barnashus - to name a few. After registering online, you receive a voucher or email confirmation to pick up the box at the closest address.
These baby boxes are a great way to get to know specific baby brands and test the products: like diapers, wipes, creams, clothes, and coupons. Search “gratis babypakke Norge 2025” to find the latest offers.
Baby and kids equipment and furniture
Stroller, the popular Tripp Trapp chair, crib and toys can easily be found on Finn.no, as well as kindergarten (barnehagen) essentials including parkdress, rainboots and indoor shoes.
Some items are even free if you pick them up yourself. Also, it’s a great way to get rid of outgrown items (kids do grow fast!) and recoup costs on bigger items.
Hand-me-downs have been a lifesaver for Eirik Andreas Strøm, 30 years old, from the Philippines, who now lives in Oslo with wife and one baby.
“I’ve learnt to openly ask friends with kids a year or two older if they have stuff they’re looking to get rid of.” He also gets the most of flea market (loppemarked) seasons.
“It might be for slightly older kids than newborns, but definitely worth checking out when your baby is about to start barnehage,” he says.
If you prefer to buy things brand new, wait for the seasonal sale (salg), January for winter and August for summer collections. When you don’t have a clue of how much it costs, check prisjakt.no for comparisons or to track the cost of a product, especially if it’s not one you need right away.
Clothes and shoes
Also on Finn.no you can find from individual items to packages (for example, everything you need for a 1 year old), and you can visit Fretex second-hand stores, found across the country.
If you are looking for something more specific, you can download and browse the second-hand - and new items - market at the Norwegian app Tise.
Borrow sports and activity gear
Bua.no is a national service where you can borrow sports gear like bikes, snowboards, tents, roller skates, etc. for the whole family. It’s completely free after registration. This is perfect to avoid having to invest money in a sport that your kids are still trying out or aren’t quite sure they’ll stick with it.
Cultural activities + learning
All over Norway you can register at your local library to borrow books and magazines and they often have a special kid’s program including story time (eventyrstund), baby song groups, creative workshops sessions and some lend out toys, costumes, and puzzles.
If your kids are teenagers, they can volunteer at music festivals for free and culture nights (kulturnatt), in many cities.
“My best tip is actually to check Visit Oslo children’s calendar and Deichman libraries”, says Line Wulfsberg, 49, who is mother of a 9-year-old. Also in the capital, you can find free kid’s activities at Litteraturhuset, Sentralen (usually on Sundays) and discounts at Opera and Konserthuset.
Food
Many bakeries and takeaway restaurants are embracing the sustainable approach and in order to avoid food waste (of perfectly suitable food), they offer half price on the fresh products at the last 30 minutes of the opening hours. A great and delicious solution is to download the app Too Good To Go, where you can locate the nearest bakery or restaurant with surprise bags - like 2 loaves of bread, 3 cinnamon buns (kanelboller), salads, and a pie -for just 49 NOK. Perfect for the next day’s family brunch.
Holidays
Here is no surprise but a reminder to book your family getaway in advance. DNT cabins offer family memberships and train services VY have discounts for kids and students.
Picnics (matpakke) at least one meal a day will always make your budget lighter. In addition, look out for sommerskole programs during school holidays that offer almost free registration.
Birthday party
The rule tends to be either invite the whole class or all the girls/boys according to the birthday child. You can keep it simple with hotdog (pølse), cake and a bag of candy (godteri). Many parents also organise a shared gift system at the start of the school year, so it doesn’t get heavy on the pocket.
Bonus Tip: Norwegian keywords to search
If you're browsing local platforms or groups, these help:
- Gis bort = given away
- Gratis = free
- Hentes = pick-up
- Bytte = swap
- Til overs = surplus
- Salg = sale
- Tilbud = discount
Comments (2)