I live in Oslo on $78,000 a year: I own my home, have universal healthcare, and have 40% of my student debt paid off
In Oslo, Norway, 25-year-old analyst Sondre Pettersen details his $78,000 yearly salary, mortgage, student loans and cost-of-living budget.
Sondre Pettersen is a 25-year-old incident response analyst in the financial sector living alone in Oslo, Norway. He earns around $78,000 annually, including an annual bonus, and owns a one-bedroom apartment in the city. Sondre saved money throughout his high school, university, and internship years and purchased his 465,000 NOK apartment with a $50,000 down payment.
His mortgage is a 30-year loan with a 4.29% interest rate, and he pays $2,060 monthly, including $496 for building amenities. Utilities cost him $57 a month, with $32 going towards electricity and $25 for streaming services. Sondre contributes $1,380 in taxes each month, with the government covering 40% of his $88,000 in student loans, leaving him with $53,000 to repay at a variable rate of 4.6%.
He pays $400 monthly towards his student loan debt and $71 for benefits, including a 7% contribution to his employer-funded pension. Sondre keeps his monthly income at around $4,774 after expenses and taxes. He saves $1,000 a month, invested in index funds and stocks, and avoids impulsive purchases by waiting before buying. He doesn't own a car, relying on public transportation and occasional single rides or bike trips, which cost him $32 a month.
Sondre budgets $40 a month for hair loss medication and $12 for supplements. Healthcare is free in Norway, and he takes advantage of skiing trips and other hobbies, spending around $12 a month on supplements.
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