By Andrés Flores, manager of Education and Financial Health of the BCP
Every October 1 we commemorate the Day of Financial Educationa date that invites us to reflect on the importance of acquiring healthy financial habits. We tend to think that money problems are reduced to a question of numbers: income, expenses, debts, balance sheets. However, behind each figure there is a person and an emotional burden that often goes unnoticed. Money not only impacts our pocket; It can also affect our mental health, our relationships, and even our self-esteem.
When resources are not enough, the stress goes far beyond the bills to pay. What we could call “the invisible price” of over-indebtedness appears: anxiety, guilt and constant fear of the future. This causes us to feel trapped in a circle of worries that erodes self-confidence and harms family peace. And that emotional cost, although intangible, is as real as any amount on a statement.
The figures confirm this reality. According to a National Survey of Financial Capabilities by the Association of Banks of Peru, 7 out of 10 Peruvians have difficulties making ends meet. What is striking is that 4 of these 10 belong to socioeconomic segment B, which shows that financial imbalances are not only explained by the lack of resources, but also by the way in which these are managed. Disorganization, lack of knowledge or the absence of planning habits can generate pressure as strong as the shortage itself.
Therefore, talking about financial education is also talking about emotional health. It’s about recognizing that, by understanding our finances, we are also learning to take care of our emotions. But, unfortunately, the idea that financial problems should be handled in silence still persists in our society. Many prefer not to talk about their debts out of shame, fear or guilt. However, silence only deepens the wound.
Therefore, on this Financial Education Day we want to remember that money problems are not taboo. Talking about them as a family, sharing them with trusted friends or seeking professional guidance can be the first step to stop paying that invisible price.
In recent years, financial education has proven to be a transformative tool. Studies show that people who have received some type of training in personal finance have a greater capacity to save, reduce their level of debt and, above all, feel more confident in their financial decisions. That is, financial education not only improves our economy, it also improves our quality of life.
The invitation is clear: let’s talk about money without fear. Let’s turn financial education into an everyday topic, as important as talking about health or academic education. Because by organizing our finances, we are also organizing our emotions. By learning to take care of our money, we are learning, deep down, to take care of ourselves.
