Photography by Mirari Erdoiza
Within the eastern limits of the lately turbulent European Union, Finland remains a relatively stable country economically. Naturally, one tends to wonder what factors make it so; and what has led to such obvious differences in lifestyles – economically and socially – across Europe. Besides leaving you with some intelligent tips on how to save money and still enjoy a cosmopolitan life, I hope I can get you to know Finland a little better!
- Use and abuse of public transportation. Can you imagine a business man living his successful busy life without a car? In Helsinki, you can come across a minister riding his bicycle or a diplomat sitting by your side at the bus. Public transport systems are eco-friendly and represent a good opportunity to read a book or the newspaper, to listen to your favorite music, or call a friend… and avoid all the stress of driving a car during rush hours.
- Resell. Reduce. Reuse. The flea markets are a huge success in Helsinki and all over Finland. You cannot only buy nice cheap clothes (among many other things) but also live a funny social experience where people enthusiastically buy what others don’t need any more. Moreover, flea markets are eco-friendly – you reduce waste by reselling and reusing – and tax-free!
- Sport a lot! Finns are absolutely enthusiastic about sports. Bicycle riding is part of daily life, they end the day jogging, they play football and ice hockey, ice skate, spend countless hours at the gym … and this ultimately leads to savings in their hospital and pharmacy bills.
- Eat what you need. If you go to a students’ restaurant at lunch time, you’ll find many young people eating a soup or a salad, a few pieces of bread with butter and two glasses of milk. Besides being cheap, the meal is healthy and fast.
- Avoid buying what you can rent or borrow. If there is a common laundry room in your building, why would you buy one laundry machine? If you know a store which rents fancy suits, why buy an expensive one? Why purchase costly school books if you can find them at the city library for free?
- Create and support smart options. How about attending a gym which offers a healthy breakfast to the first users of the day? At lunch, I invite you to pick food from the buffet restaurant near my work place: 10 minutes before they close, the leftovers undergo a huge price reduction and a meal can go from €9 to less than €3. In the evening, stop by a Finnish supermarket which usually sells with a 30% discount foods in the end of their shelf-life – both customers and the supermarket save money and less food is wasted.
- Work, work, work. Finally, being privileged is hard work; the majority of Finns start working as soon as they turn 15, the legal working age… while continuing their studies at the same time. The CV of a Finn might make you feel small since a young man of 25 years old might have already worked in a supermarket, as a taxi driver, as a postman, in a restaurant… the list is endless. And they really seem to be enjoying what they do.
Statues by Emil Wikström at the entrance of the Helsinki Central railway station. Photography by Benreis
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