After two years in Sweden, I’ve gathered tips and tricks that make daily life smoother for expats; and often, cheaper. In Pt. 1, I shared some of the best hacks I’ve discovered so far. But it turns out there’s even more to love (and learn) about living here. Here’s Part 2, with more life-changing little Swedish secrets that I wish I’d known sooner.
Buy secondhand – it’s everywhere and totally normal
In the United States, I was used to thrift stores being a bit hit-or-miss … and honestly a little stigmatized. Here, shopping secondhand is mainstream and celebrated, and the quality is often excellent.
Swedes believe in giving a second life to anything they can.
My absolute favorite store in Gothenburg is Myrorna, which is well-curated and clean. You’ll also find Erikshjälpen, Emmaus and loads of local charity shops (loppis) in nearly every Swedish town. There’s even a chain of secondhand building stores, Byggåtervinning, if you’re fixing up your home. It’s eco-friendly, budget-friendly, and sometimes you’ll even find designer Swedish goods for a steal.
Check out MatHem and Matsmart for grocery savings
Grocery prices can be a shock here—especially if you’re coming from a country with big-box stores and constant sales. Enter MatHem and Matsmart, two online grocery options that save you serious cash.
- MatHem sometimes runs discounts for new customers or on bulk orders, plus it delivers straight to your door.
- Matsmart sells surplus or short-date products (think granola bars, pasta, canned goods) at huge discounts. It’s like a rescue mission for perfectly good food.
Embrace the fika – and use your Coop & ICA Cards
Fika (the iconic Swedish coffee and pastry break) isn’t just a treat; it’s practically a social institution. But those cinnamon buns can add up! Almost every café chain runs stamp cards (5th or 10th coffee free). Meanwhile, Coop and ICA (the main grocery stores) have loyalty cards that earn you points on every purchase. Those points turn into rebates or special discounts that are surprisingly generous – especially around the holidays.
Travel by SJ night train
Want to explore Sweden without breaking the bank or adding to your carbon footprint? Try the SJ night train. You can travel from Gothenburg to the far north while you sleep, saving on a hotel night and arriving rested. It’s surprisingly cozy to tuck into a little cabin bed and wake up surrounded by forests, snow, or endless summer light. Book early for the best prices – tickets can be as low as 300 krona (27 euros) if you’re flexible.
Find your local loppis and market days
In spring and summer, loppisar (flea markets) pop up everywhere – from people’s yards to massive town squares. Some are listed online (like on Facebook events), but many are just signposted along the road. These are the best places to find unique ceramics, old Swedish textiles, vintage glass, and plants for a fraction of shop prices. Plus, it’s a fun way to practice your Swedish small talk.
Use Vårdguiden 1177 for health questions
Navigating a new country’s healthcare system can be daunting. Sweden makes it simpler with 1177 Vårdguiden, a free health line you can call (or use the website) to get advice from nurses in English or Swedish. They’ll tell you whether you need to go to a clinic or can handle it at home – saving unnecessary appointments and costs. Also, find more information on this topic in my post here.
Free nature, again, but this time for swimming
You already know about Allemansrätten letting you roam, camp, and forage. But it also means nearly every lake and coastline is yours to swim in. Swedes are big on “bada” (bathing), even in chilly water. So grab a towel and join in. Many public swimming spots have little docks, ladders and even floating saunas. It’s a bit of a tradition to mark the occasion of one’s ”första doppet”, the first dip of the season.
These are just more of the life hacks that have made my Swedish experience richer, cheaper, and more connected to local life. I’ll probably keep adding to this list the longer I live here.
If you’re an expat, a new arrival, or just curious, try some of these out and let them upgrade your life in Sweden, too.
Jess Bretin
Jess Bretin is a communications and content specialist, and an American living in Gothenburg, Sweden. While in the states, she spent 2 years on the road living in a van and visited every state. She then married a Frenchman, so she has spent alot of time in France. Jess is also a singer/songwriter in a rock band and loves to cook and stand-up paddle board.
See her posts here:
• Walk like a Swede, talk like a Swede: How to make friends in Sweden
• Chistmas in Sweden: Tradition, light and togetherness
• The cost of living in Sweden 2025: What's actually going on.
