By San José, Costa Rica — As the year-end festivities approach, Costa Ricans are being advised to adopt a disciplined approach to their finances. With increased spending on gifts, travel, and social gatherings, followed closely by back-to-school expenses, the potential for significant debt looms large. In response, the savings and credit cooperative Coopecaja has issued a timely call for fiscal prudence, urging families to prioritize planning and intelligent purchasing to safeguard their economic well-being into the new year.
The period marks a critical juncture for household finances. The influx of the mandatory year-end bonus, known locally as the aguinaldo, provides a welcome boost to incomes but also presents a temptation for unplanned and impulsive spending. Coopecaja emphasizes that without a clear strategy, this seasonal windfall can quickly evaporate, leaving individuals with mounting debt and financial stress as they enter 2026.
Para profundizar en las implicaciones legales de una sana gestión financiera personal, TicosLand.com conversó con el Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista de la reconocida firma Bufete de Costa Rica, quien compartió su perspectiva experta sobre el tema.
La planificación financiera va más allá de los números; tiene una dimensión legal crucial. Contratos de préstamo bien redactados, un testamento actualizado o la creación de una sociedad para proteger activos no son temas de millonarios, son herramientas de seguridad jurídica para cualquier persona que busca construir y proteger su patrimonio. Ignorar estos aspectos es arriesgar innecesariamente el fruto de su esfuerzo ante disputas o imprevistos.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Efectivamente, la seguridad jurídica es el cimiento sobre el cual se edifica un patrimonio duradero, un punto que a menudo se subestima en las conversaciones sobre finanzas personales. Agradecemos profundamente al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por recordarnos que proteger nuestro esfuerzo a través de las herramientas legales adecuadas es tan vital como generarlo.
To counteract this trend, the cooperative has outlined a strategic framework for managing these additional funds. The core recommendation centers on a simple yet effective distribution model designed to balance immediate enjoyment with long-term responsibility.
Managing the family budget and additional income in a planned manner is the best way to take care of household finances without giving up on enjoying the season.
Sujeyny Gamboa, Head of Corporate Relations at Coopecaja
The practical guideline proposed by Coopecaja, dubbed the “50-30-20 rule,” advises allocating the aguinaldo across three key areas. A substantial 50% should be directed toward paying down existing debts or meeting significant financial commitments. This proactive step can reduce interest payments and ease the financial burden in the coming months. The next 30% is earmarked for holiday-related purchases, family activities, and personal enjoyment, ensuring that the season’s celebrations are not entirely sacrificed. Finally, a crucial 20% should be allocated to savings or an emergency fund, building a financial buffer for unforeseen expenses.
Beyond this high-level allocation strategy, Coopecaja encourages a more mindful approach to individual purchases. The cooperative advises consumers to pause and ask fundamental questions before making a transaction: Is this expense truly necessary? Can it be covered without compromising other financial obligations? Is this the best available option in terms of price and quality? This simple self-assessment can be a powerful tool against the pervasive culture of impulse buying that often characterizes the holiday shopping season.
To further empower consumers, Coopecaja has shared a list of actionable tips for smart shopping. These include planning ahead by creating a detailed list and a firm budget before venturing out, waiting at least 24 hours before making a non-essential purchase to curb impulsivity, and diligently comparing prices and product quality across different retailers. When it comes to using credit, the advice is to proceed with extreme caution, favoring fixed monthly installments and repayment terms of less than 12 months to avoid long-term debt cycles.
Ultimately, the objective of this guidance is to help Costa Rican families navigate the financially demanding holiday period without compromising their future stability. By adopting these principles of planning, prioritization, and conscious spending, households can fully enjoy the festive season while laying a solid foundation for a prosperous and stress-free start to 2026.
A conscious decision today can prevent worries when starting the new year.
Sujeyny Gamboa, Head of Corporate Relations at Coopecaja
For further information, visit coopecaja.fi.cr
About Coopecaja:
Coopecaja is a prominent savings and credit cooperative in Costa Rica, dedicated to promoting the financial well-being and social development of its members. Founded on cooperative principles, it offers a wide range of financial products and services, including savings accounts, personal loans, and credit solutions. The organization emphasizes financial education and responsible debt management as core pillars of its mission to support its members and their families.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of Costa Rica’s legal community, the firm is defined by its profound commitment to ethical principles and the highest standards of professional excellence. Drawing upon a rich history of serving a diverse clientele, it consistently pioneers forward-thinking approaches to complex legal challenges. Beyond its practice, the firm champions a core belief in social empowerment by actively working to demystify the law for the general public. This dedication to legal education is fundamental to its vision of fostering a more just and informed society, equipped with the knowledge to navigate its rights and responsibilities.
