Have you ever reached the end of the month and wondered: “Where did my money go?” 🤔
The answer might be in “ant expenses” (also known as small daily expenses): those tiny purchases that seem harmless, but when added up, can become a major leak in your budget.
✅ What are “ant expenses”?
“Ant expenses” are frequent, low-cost purchases we make almost without thinking. For example, that coffee you buy every morning, the afternoon snack, or that rideshare trip you take “for convenience.”
Although each individual expense is small, the problem appears when you sum them up: they can easily add up to thousands of pesos per month! 💸
📊 Real examples (in Chilean pesos)
☕ Daily coffee: $2,000 × 20 days = $40,000 CLP
🍫 Snacks: $1,000 × 15 days = $15,000 CLP
🚕 Rideshare trips: $4,000 × 10 rides = $40,000 CLP
📱 Forgotten subscriptions: $5,000 per month
Approximate total: $100,000 CLP
That’s equivalent to a grocery bill or part of your monthly savings! 😱
🔍 Why do they happen?
Convenience: we choose what’s quick and easy.
Impulse: we buy without planning.
Lack of tracking: we don’t monitor small expenses.
💡 How to reduce them without sacrificing quality of life?
Make a budget and record every expense (apps, Excel, or soon our Gastomiga app can help).
Bring your coffee from home ☕.
Plan your purchases to avoid impulsive snacks.
Review your subscriptions and cancel the ones you don’t use.
Set an “ant-expense budget”: a fixed amount for small treats—without going overboard.
🧠 Final reflection
“Ant expenses” aren’t bad by themselves—everyone deserves small pleasures. But if your goal is to save, invest, or reach financial milestones, it’s essential to identify and control them.
Think about this: would you rather spend $100,000 on coffees and snacks… or use it for a trip, a course, or your emergency fund? 🌍📚