In Colombia, so -called ant expenses have consolidated as One of the main silent money leaks. These disbursements, although small and routine, end up accumulating figures that directly affect the economy of households. In this contextthe nine expenses that can affect their finances on a day -to -day basis were listed.
1. Daily coffee and drinks
A coffee on the street can cost $ 6,000. If consumed five times a week, they are $ 120,000 per month. According to Bancolombia, this is one of the most common and expensive habits if it is not controlled.
2. Snacks and candy
Antojos in offices and universities generate impulsive purchases. The Bice Vida Financial Portal warns that these unplanned expenditures are a typical an example of ant expenditure.
3. Quick meals and addresses
Homes applications multiplied this expense in the country. Each order includes the value of the dish, delivery and tip. BBVA recommends cooking at home to reduce expenses.
(Read: The little daily expense that costs half a million pesos a year to Colombians)
4. Forgotten digital subscriptions
Streaming or disuse platforms represent invisible expenses. BBVA Research classifies them as ghost expenses, which drain the budget without noticing.
5. Impulsive purchases in promotions
Quick sales on the Internet usually generate unnecessary expenses. The Raisin portal points out that they rarely respond to real needs, becoming unintelligent consumption.
6. Unnecessary Banking Commissions
Management quotas, withdrawals in cashiers from other networks or interest due to incomplete payments are avoidable expenses. The Colombian Financial Superintendence recommends comparing rates and choosing entities with lower charges.
7. Unnecessary transport
Frequent use of taxis or applications for short journeys elevates monthly expenses. BBVA advises planning routes and prioritizing public transport to generate savings.
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8. Tips and small frequent payments
Payments in supermarkets, parking and informal vendors may not register in the budget. According to Santander, these repeated expenses have a greater impact than it seems.
9. Digital microtransactions
Purchases in apps and mobile video games, although minimal, add up to large amounts a year. Serene Latin warns that they are difficult to control if clear limits are established.
How to control ant expenses in Colombia
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Experts recommend first identifying and registering each expense for a month. Subsequently, classify them in necessary and unnecessary, reducing or eliminating the latter.
The official finance portal for all advises to raise awareness and adjust habits, without reaching the obsession. The important thing is to create a balanced budget that allows saving without sacrificing the quality of life.
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According to the Bancolombia Financial Education Program, these types of expenses are difficult to identify because they are done automatically and are rarely registered. However, Keeping rigorous control can become a key strategy for savings.
The phenomenon is not exclusive to Colombia, but in the country it acquires relevance due to the low savings rate of citizens and the growing cost of living. Therefore, avoiding these nine ant expenses not only protects the pocket, but also releases resources that can be used for savings goals, investment or emergency funds.
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The first step after identifying ant expenses is to prepare a realistic and structured budget. It is not necessary to immediately resort to sophisticated digital templates: The most effective thing is to divide the salary into clear categories, such as fixed expenses (rent, services, food and credits), additional (insurance, taxes, health and personal care) and a specific item for ant expenses. This classification allows to visualize what money is going on and become aware of the magnitude of each expense.
Personal finance specialists insist that this practice is key to achieving savings and investment goals. When organizing income under this scheme, the citizen not only improves the control of their finances, but also reduces the anxiety produced by economic improvisation. In addition, having a budget helps to avoid over -indebtedness and plan future expenses such as vacations, education or emergencies.
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Similarly, it is essential to understand how the brain works against consumption. Lyou Ant expenses are usually linked to an automatic and emotional system that seeks immediate gratification. However, by becoming aware of its accumulated impact, a more rational management is aroused: critical questions are asked such as “How much is it?”, “Can I pay it without affecting my savings?” Or “Is it worth borrowing for this?”
This change of mentality is what makes the budget a not only financial tool, but also psychological to resist impulses and build economic stability.
