The danger of ant expenses: the goodies that affect your economy

A coffee, a soda, a snack or a lunch with friends. At first glance it seems that they do not require much expense, but have you added how much money you spend on these so-called treats ant expenses?

MORE INFORMATION: Why is it so difficult to save and control the use of our money?

It is important that you know that each “craving” that you give yourself daily affects your pocket and can even hit your budget and uncomplete the payment of your fixed expenses. Therefore, it is important that you plan.

“The best thing is in the planning and a budget. It is also important to learn to buy, do it in time and even in a group to reduce costs and expenses in mobility “, explains Jorge Carrillo Acosta, an expert in finance at Pacífico Business School. If you feel identified with what we are counting, keep reading this note.

WHAT ARE ANTS EXPENSES?

Ant expenses are the typical cravings for a chocolate, an ice cream, but also vices such as cigarettes, nights out and sports lotteries, for example, which at first glance seem to not generate much expense, but if you do a monthly or annual calculation , you are going to be in for a big surprise. That ant spending can turn into an anthill. “In sports lotteries, those that you bet on games and that are now in fashion, you spend from S / 10 soles to S / 10 soles and you can add up to S / 200 ″explains finance expert Jorge Carrillo Acosta.

WHAT DOES THE MOST OF OUR EXPENSES GO TO ANTS?

These are some examples of ant expenses.

• Buy coffee at the office.
• Water bottles.
• Cravings
• Food delivery or eating out.
• Compulsive online shopping.
• Sports lotteries.
• Products not included in the grocery shopping list.
• Credit card commissions.
• Have many streaming platforms and other subscriptions.
• Go to the movies often.
• Taxis for short trips that you can walk on.

ARE ANT EXPENSES BAD?

Yes, ant expenses are bad because they are not essential, such as food or payment of services, so they reduce your economy and do not allow you to save. The specialist from the Universidad Pacífico explains that it is a desire rather than a necessity and since it is not planned, you do not control it and spend more than necessary. “It’s good to indulge yourself from time to time and it’s also good to have it planned in your budget “, adds Jorge Carrillo Acosta.

HOW MUCH PERCENTAGE COULD WE ALLOCATE TO EXPENSES ANT?

There is no basic percentage, but it should not exceed 5% to 10% of the budget, if you already have your fixed expenses covered and a minimum percentage of savings.

HOW CAN I KNOW WHAT IS THE AMOUNT I ALLOWED TO THE HORMIGA EXPENSES?

Every time you consume a craving or pay for a service, write down on your cell phone how much you are spending or save the receipts if you go to a supermarket or restaurants so that you measure how much you are spending. You have to monthly and annualize it. You will be in for a big surprise. For example, if you buy a bottle of water every day for S / 1.20, which seems like a harmless expense, we spend S / 36 soles per month and S / 432 per year. If you use a tomatodo and fill it at home, you could save that money.

HOW CAN I REDUCE MY EXPENSES ANT?

It is important to know that they cannot be reduced suddenly because we are used to them and they are part of our habits or routine. Therefore, you should reduce them little by little. Here are some recommendations.

• Check your cell phone plans: see if you really consume the megabytes or compare with other cheaper plans. (Sometimes there is not much difference)
• Consumption of cravings: If you are used to eating a chocolate every day and drinking a soda, start eliminating one of them or alternate.
• Internet expenses: see what plan you have and if you can reduce megabytes.
• Streaming platforms: If you have several, analyze if you really need all of them or if you have the time to use them.
• Eat in the street: It must be for special occasions. Even a menu costs triple what you can cook at home. Take your container to work.
• Shopping: goes to the supermarket with a list.
• Taxis: get organized and use public transport or bicycle.
• Note: every expense you make in the day.

HOW CAN I BUILD A BUDGET?

These are the basic steps to putting together a budget.

• Calculate your net income.
• Calculate fixed and variable income: take an average of the last six months, if in case you receive commissions.
• Calculate expenses: housing, food services, maintenance (health, clothing, cleaning, cleaning, basic services, education) transportation expenses. Daily cravings.

It is important to put an emergency fund in your budget for any eventuality.

If you reduce your ant expenses, you will be able to save. Set goals.