How do parents keep track of all these expenses? We wanted to find out more and asked Swiss parents. The answers to our qualitative online questionnaire reveal that every family has its own strategy, ranging from «no budget, we do it by feel» to using Excel spreadsheets and setting clear savings goals.
Around half of parents have drawn up a budget
Around half of the respondents did not have a family budget at the time of the survey in summer 2025. Some were planning to set one up soon, while others thought they could manage well without one. The reasons ranged from a lack of time to uncertainty about how best to draw up a budget.
How to create a family budget!
The other half already works with a budget. 46 % of them only update it when necessary, and 54 % use an Excel spreadsheet they have created themselves. Whether simple or detailed, the main thing is that it fits in with everyday life.
Here are tips on how to monitor your budget.
The biggest challenges
Many parents report that the rising cost of living is a real burden. Unforeseen expenses also make planning difficult. One interviewee with two children (aged 10 and 12) said:
«Meeting all the needs of every member of the family is difficult. Where do we save, and where are we prepared to invest money?»
That’s why it makes sense to build a small nest egg into the budget – for repairs, medical expenses or other surprises.
However, saving is also high on the list of frequently mentioned challenges. «Saving enough money for the children’s pensions and education worries me,» says one parent of three children (aged 8, 11 and 13).
Good to know: This is what a child costs
Don’t put off saving until later
Is what I can save today enough for my children’s education or provision? One thing is certain: Many people underestimate how much even small amounts can add up to. 50 CHF per month adds up to over 10’000 CHF after 18 years – and significantly more with interest.
That’s why it’s better to start small than not at all. It’s the many small steps that make a big difference over the years.
Family budget is a support
Our survey shows that there is no one right way. The important thing is that the budget suits the family – whether in the traditional way on paper, in Excel or with an app. In the end, it’s not about restrictions, but about clarity about which dreams can be realised and which will have to wait a little longer.
Once you’ve got started and know your budget, it’s easier to make decisions – and that’s a great support with all the many decisions that parents have to make every day anyway.
