In the midst of a global economy marked by uncertainty and volatility, savings habits and financial planning have become matters of increasing relevance for Spanish households. Increases in the prices of food, fuel and essential supplies directly impact the savings capacity of families, while the cost of living increases at a faster rate than the income of many citizens. According to the Bank of Spain, More than 30% of the population affirms that their economic situation prevents them from saving regularly due to unforeseen expenses and, in many cases, the lack of an adequate financial plan. Even more worrying is the fact that 60% of households do not have an economic cushion that covers three months of basic expenses, a figure that shows the fragility of many family economies and the urgency of taking measures to strengthen them.
Against this backdrop, and on World Savings Day, we remember that the role of financial consultancies takes on special relevance. Aligned with the objective of offering practical tools and knowledge, consultancies such as OVB, one of the leaders in financial planning in Europe, seek to convey to citizens the message that managing finances well is not a question of high income, but of effective strategies. and accessible. As Manuel Alonso, its CEO and commercial director, highlights: «We can all aspire to build a financial cushion. The key is to establish clear and achievable goals that adapt to each person’s level of income and expenses.. Even small amounts, saved consistently, can make a significant difference over time. The problem is that many people do not know where to start, and this translates into a lack of planning that could be avoided with proper advice. “Every little effort counts and can make a difference.”
«Lack of planning could be avoided with proper advice. Every little effort counts and can make a difference.”
«Every month (continues), families face variations in their budget. The rise in the price of basic products or essential services, such as fuel and electricity, directly impacts their economy, causing the amount allocated to savings to constantly fluctuate. In this environment, the key is not to eliminate all expenses, but to manage them in a way that allows creating a margin, no matter how small, that can be used for savings (“the important thing is to maintain the habit and adapt to the circumstances” Even more so if we approach times like Black Friday and Christmas: «The pressure of these dates usually comes from a desire to meet social and family expectations, and it is easy to fall into the temptation of spending more than we had planned. The objective is not to eliminate spending on these celebrations, but to be aware of our economic possibilities.s so that these dates do not impact our financial stability. It is essential to be clear about what we need to buy and what we are going to give, avoiding falling into improvisation or last-minute purchases, which tend to be more impulsive and harmful to the budget.
Planning, essential
«Many people think (Alonso highlights) that saving is something that is done when there is money left over, but the reality is that financial planning is essential for anyone, regardless of their income. Organization and forecasting are key to having control over finances, which generates peace of mind on a day-to-day basis. And the year ahead is a perfect time, as the specialist summarizes: «We are more receptive to setting goals, defining our objectives and drawing up a clear plan. If before the end of the year we review our priorities for 2025, we will be able to better structure the use of our income (down payment on a home, purchase of a car, education of children, planning a decent retirement, etc.). The key is in “Knowing what we want and how we want to do it, and a professional financial consultation can provide practical guidance for those who want to maximize their resources and set viable goals.”
“The more forward-thinking you are and the more organized you are, the more aware you will be of your expenses and the more control you will have over saving.” Planning helps prevent unforeseen events from destabilizing the monthly budget, and allows spending decisions to be made strategically: «Having a financial plan is like having a map that guides you along the way. “You know which direction you are going and that gives a lot of security.”
Financial education is the key
Today, financial education initiatives are essential to empower people and give them the knowledge necessary to manage their money effectively, as Alonso emphasizes: “It is surprising how many people, young and old, have never received basic training in personal finances. And this should be a priority in education from an early agebecause money management is an essential skill for anyone. More and more community platforms and programs offer courses and workshops that teach money management, facilitating access to crucial tools to achieve economic stability.
For Alonso, financial education is not only a useful resource, but a basic need that should be available to everyone. «Knowing how to manage your money is not a luxury, it is a necessity in today’s society. And every time we teach someone to organize their finances, we are helping them take control of their life,” he says. An example of this is the Fin & Fun Tour, fun workshops to learn finances aimed at boys and girls between 7 and 12 years old, whose main objective is for them to learn to manage money from an early age and that they can put into practice in their own lives. day by day the concepts they learn in the workshop.
«Every time we teach someone to organize their finances, we are helping them take control of their life»
Financial planning is not a luxury reserved only for the richest; It is a tool that we can and should all take advantage of to build a safer life. «With the right tools and a little discipline, anyone can access savings and financial stability. The important thing is to start and be consistent. “Today’s effort will be tomorrow’s peace of mind.”.
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