Personal finances: follow these tips to avoid “ant expenses” this summer

The strong heat of this summer encourages us on certain occasions to buy a soda, an ice cream or a Martian to refresh ourselves on the way to work; however, these cravings or tastes are known as ‘ant fee’. These small expenses may seem almost imperceptible to our economy, since they cost little, but when added together, they add up to a considerable sum in the month and can affect our pockets.

So “ant spending” tends to happen more frequently during the summer, a time when we let our guard down with our budget. Faced with this situation, the ABC of Peruvian Credit Bank (BCP) shared some tips to avoid spending unnecessary money.

In a notebook, Excel or in cell phone notes; whatever suits you best. Write down each “ant expense” and add them up to identify how much they represent of your monthly budget.

Maybe at first they go almost unnoticed, but all these small expenses can delay the achievement of the goals you have set for yourself, since the amount you allocate to savings will be less. Keep your goals in mind and avoid these unnecessary expenses.

It’s normal to want to buy an ice cream or a frozen soda to be able to alleviate the summer heat, but doing it daily can affect your budget and your health. Determine a maximum amount of weekly expenses for these types of treats.

Going out or getting together with friends tends to happen more frequently during the summer. Spread them evenly throughout the month and prioritize the main ones to avoid imbalances in your budget.

Planning is the basis of everything, including saving. If you have to go to the office, allocate your time so that you can prepare your lunch and avoid buying food, take a tomato and avoid buying water, leave your home with time to be able to take transport in common and avoid spending on taxis.