Economic Analysis

Monthly evolution of food spending

During the period analyzed between January and December 2025, food spending experienced a nominal increase of 67% compared to the same period last year. However, when adjusted for accumulated food sector inflation, the real increase stands at approximately 12%, reflecting an increase in purchase volume and changes in basic basket composition.

Food budget distribution showed significant redistributions between categories. Bakery and cereal products maintained a stable 18% share, while meat and derivatives reduced their weight from 32% to 27% of the total, compensated by an increase in legumes, pasta, and products with better economic yield. Fruits and vegetables maintained constant 22% participation, though with internal substitutions toward seasonal and lower unit cost products.

Observed adaptation strategies

Households implemented various tactics to optimize the purchasing power of their food budget. 68% of participants reported increasing purchase frequency at wholesale stores and local markets, seeking better volume prices. Weekly menu planning grew by 34%, allowing more efficient purchases and food waste reduction.

Adoption of store brands or second brands increased significantly, with 52% of households indicating this change in at least five product categories. Discount programs, loyalty cards, and leveraging temporary offers consolidated as habitual practices in 71% of studied families. These adaptations allowed maintaining acceptable nutritional standards despite growing budgetary restrictions.

Projections for the next period

Predictive models suggest that pressure on food spending will continue during the first half of 2026, with expected inflation-adjusted increases of 6-8% additional. Households anticipate deepening efficiency strategies, with greater emphasis on home cooking reducing consumption of processed products and prepared meals. Strengthening collaborative consumption networks, such as group purchases and exchange fairs, emerges as a growing trend that could partially mitigate the projected economic impact.

Documented budget redistribution

The discretionary spending component, which includes recreation, entertainment, dining out, and tourism, experienced a 23% real-term contraction during 2025. This reduction was not uniformly distributed: while restaurant outings decreased 31%, streaming service subscriptions remained relatively stable with only an 8% drop, reflecting prioritization of low-cost home entertainment.

Simultaneously, expenses classified as essential increased their share of the total budget. Food increased from 38% to 42%, home services from 12% to 15%, and health from 8% to 11%. Transportation maintained stable 9% participation, but with internal changes: reduction of private vehicle use and increase in public transport. Education preserved priority with 7% participation, though with active search for lower-cost alternatives and free online content.

Psychological impact and compensation strategies

Reduction of recreational activities represented not only an accounting adjustment but also a challenge for family emotional wellbeing. Households reported active search for low-cost or free alternatives: 47% increase in visits to public spaces such as parks and plazas, 39% growth in organizing social gatherings at private homes, and 28% increase in consumption of free cultural content such as public libraries and community events.

Families with minor children expressed particular concern about maintaining childhood leisure opportunities. 64% implemented rotation of free or very low-cost activities, 51% intensified use of free online educational and recreational resources, and 42% established exchange networks with other families to share resources and organize joint activities. These strategies, while not completely replacing previous experiences, allowed preserving important elements of family quality of life.

Reversal or consolidation perspectives

Macroeconomic projections suggest this spending redistribution could consolidate as a structural pattern during 2026, with possible slight relaxations in the second half if economic conditions improve. However, many households internalized new consumption habits that could persist even with real income recovery, generating a deeper cultural change in the relationship with discretionary spending and valuation of low-cost alternatives.

Fundamental principles of systematic saving

Building savings capacity begins with implementing a detailed budget that records all monthly income and expenses. Households maintaining systematic records manage to identify an average of 15-20% non-essential spending susceptible to optimization or elimination. Precise categorization allows visualizing hidden patterns, such as inactive subscriptions, recurring impulse purchases, or budgetary leaks in seemingly minor categories.

The "pay yourself first" principle demonstrates consistent effectiveness: separating a fixed percentage of income at the moment of receipt, before any other expense, generates automatic savings that accumulate without requiring additional discipline each month. Even modest percentages of 5-8% generate significant funds within 6-12 month periods, providing financial cushion for emergencies or opportunities. The key lies in systematicity, not initial amount.

Specific expense reduction tactics

Recurring service audits frequently identify immediate savings opportunities. Reviewing telecommunications, insurance, and public service contracts allows renegotiating conditions or migrating to more efficient plans, generating 10-25% savings without reducing service quality. Consolidating credit card debts into lower interest rate lines significantly reduces monthly financial cost.

In food, purchase planning through detailed lists reduces impulse purchases by 40%. Batch cooking and freezing portions optimizes time and resources, while comprehensive food utilization minimizes waste. Purchasing seasonal products, using wholesale markets for non-perishable products, and systematic price comparison between stores generate substantial cumulative savings.

Preventive maintenance of durable goods, from appliances to vehicles, avoids costly repairs and extends useful life. Small investments in regular maintenance generate multiple returns by preventing premature replacements. Active search for free or low-cost alternatives for entertainment, education, and personal development allows maintaining quality of life while significantly reducing expenses.

Savings instruments and destinations

Savings diversification among different instruments and time horizons provides flexibility and protection. An emergency fund equivalent to 3-6 months of essential expenses, maintained in highly liquid instruments, protects against unforeseen events without resorting to costly debt. Medium-term savings can be allocated to instruments with better performance but lower liquidity, while long-term objectives allow greater exposure to assets with superior growth potential.

Continuous financial education improves quality of savings and investment decisions. Understanding basic concepts such as inflation, real interest rate, diversification, and time horizon allows selecting appropriate instruments for each objective. Periodic performance monitoring and strategy adjustment as personal circumstances or market conditions change optimizes long-term results.