"Important to make a Christmas budget"

This year, the Christmas trade is expected to set a record - again. And in recent years, grocery sales have sold an average of 27 percent more during the Christmas week than during the average weeks, according to Swedish Trade. But far from all Swedes have made a Christmas budget.

- There is no point in stress, you simply buy what you want, says consumer Fredrik Ahonen.

But if one is worried about their finances around Christmas, there is help to be had. In all municipalities there are budget and debt advisors who help residents plan their finances or get control of their debts. And according to advisor Ulf Källstedt, a Christmas budget is a and o. It is best to start a year in advance, but it is never too late.

- The most important thing is that you have a budget at all. You can take help from someone close to you, you can come to us and today there are also many apps to help, ”he says.

But if it turns out that the budget does not go together, can you take out a loan? During Black Friday last year, which is usually the starting point for the Christmas trade, the number of debt collection cases increased by 20 percent at the collection company Alektum Group. Taking out loans for Christmas shopping is something that budget and debt advisors strongly advise against.

- Loans for consumption are absolutely nothing we recommend, but if you still need to do so, you should look up what the costs are with interest and fees. And maybe especially to go to local banks, says Marica Ekström, budget and debt adviser.