Let’s be honest.
Living in Russia can feel like trying to hold water in your hands. One minute your wallet is full, and the next, you’re checking your bank app, asking yourself if you really spent all that money.
Sure, inflation is real and your salary doesn’t just increase overnight. Surprisingly, there are other culprits asides inflation that gradually eat into your pocket .
Walk with me and see the subtle ways you might be spending your money.
- Subscriptions
This is one trap many people fall into and a lot of people are on this table. You signed up for a one-month free trial of a streaming platform to watch that one hyped series abi listen to that song. Three months later, you’re still paying for it, even though you haven’t opened the app since episode two or you listened to the song for a week.
Now multiply that by three or four other services, music, fitness, phone or data storage, maybe a language learning app you swore you’d use. Are you seeing where this is headed?
Let’s strike a balance, some subscriptions are very necessary and one cannot do without them. It is important to filter out what you need and unsubscribe from the rest. Set a calendar reminder to cancel trials.
- The ‘Let me just get coffee’ habit
Your own might not be coffee, it might be fizzy drinks or that overpriced candy you like. A cappuccino here, a latte there. It’s just coffee, right?
Well, let’s do the math. One cup a day at 150₽ is approximately 4,500₽ a month, and that is if the coffee you buy is 150p o. That’s practically a whole week of groceries or even more.
Plus, coffee shops in Russia have mastered the art of upselling. You’ll see the sales lady asking you- что-нибудь еще? And then you look around and suddenly you cannot drink coffee alone, you decide to add one croissant or whatever baked stuff catches your eye.
You see where your money is going ba? Still on the issue of striking a balance, enjoying what you like once in a while is not an offence but don’t overindulge.
- The friend who always ‘forgets’ their wallet
Every group has that friend. Mine doesn’t. I hope you don’t have such people as friends too. They invite you out for lunch, conveniently “forget” their wallet just like the last time and promise to send you the money later.
But you and that friend know that they eventually won’t.There’s a fine line between being a good friend and becoming someone’s unofficial financier. Do what you want with this information.
- The “It’s just 100₽” mentality
It starts with a pack of gum, then a snack from Pyaterochka, maybe a cute phone case from Wildberries. Each item seems insignificant until your card declines, inserts laughing emojis. Be self-controlled.
- Sending money back home
If you frequently send money home, those little percentage differences in exchange rates and transfer fees and even the money you want to send can eat into your budget gradually.
Luckily, this one has an easy fix. Just use a reliable money exchange service (like ahem, the one you’re reading this on) that offers fair rates and low fees. It adds up like mad. E-solutions dey for you o.
Yes, there is inflation. Yes, groceries aren’t as cheap as they used to be. But sometimes, we don’t make the best financial decisions. Track your spending, set boundaries, and stop paying for five streaming platforms you barely use. And to that friend? Next time, maybe “forget” to invite them out. And instead of overpriced coffee, make your own instant coffee.
Have a nice week!
