Is this a good time to buy gold?

The price of gold continues the upward trend seen since the end of 2023 and continues to set record highs. In this context of high prices, is it still advisable to buy gold to protect our savings or to diversify our investments?

The price of old has gone up by 23% since the beginning of 2024 and its price remains at an all-time high of around 2,290 euros per ounce. While it is true that the reasons that make this precious metal the safe-haven asset of choice for investors are repeated over time, this current upward trend exceeds past performances.

After the strong monthly rise in July, gold rose sharply again in August and stood at 2,280 euros per ounce, up 3.6%. It also reached a new all-time high on 20 August, before declining only marginally at the end of the month.

Going into September, the gold price has lost some of its gains, but still remained comfortably above the psychological mark of $2,500 (€2,267) during Thursday’s European session.

Continued central bank demand for gold, a weaker dollar and global geopolitical tensions, as well as optimism that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates this month, explain the recent price rallies.

On the other hand, the expected US Consumer Price Index (CPI) report released yesterday (Wednesday) shows that inflation continues to moderate, dropping four tenths during August to 2.5% y-o-y, while core inflation remains at 3.2% y-o-y, as expected. This dampens expectations of a large rate cut by the Fed, which both boosts the value of the dollar and may moderate demand for gold.

Will gold prices continue to rise?

Although the latest report published by the World Gold Council (WGC) acknowledges that the current macroeconomic environment is difficult to interpret due to a plethora of conflicting economic data, this macroeconomic uncertainty is reflecting positively on the gold market.

In this regard, it reports that activity in Options spreading positions (OSP) has been steadily increasing, approaching levels not seen since 2020 or during 2011 and 2013. This reflects investors’ willingness to hedge against changes in interest rates and the outcome of the upcoming US election.

‘Looking back over these periods, it seems that the triggers for an increase in OSP activity were related to one of two scenarios: a change in interest rate policy or risk events in the market. Today we face both,’ notes the WGC.

Analysts at ING Research, on the other hand, believe the expected Fed rate cut will push gold to new all-time highs, while the US presidential election in November will also continue to contribute to the gold metal’s upward momentum until the end of the year.

In conclusion, despite the price rise, gold’s ability to act as a hedge against economic volatility, its stability in the face of inflationary pressures and the increase in global demand are key factors that continue to reinforce its attractiveness as an investment and as a safe-haven asset. That said, its price can be volatile sometimes, so it is crucial to assess the risk we are willing to take and clearly define our investment objectives before making a decision.

Preciosos 11Onze makes it easy to buy gold, at the best price and with total security. Give us a call and speak to one of our agents without any obligation to clarify any doubts you may have and protect yourself from economic crises with the ultimate safe-haven asset: gold. If you want your savings to keep or increase their value, Gold Patrimony.

Es consideren dipòsits de valor aquells actius, divises i mercaderies que no es devaluen amb el temps. L’or i altres metalls preciosos han estat històricament els dipòsits de valor per excel·lència, mentre que en les últimes dècades s’han fet evidents les grans deficiències de les monedes fiduciàries.

Com indica la Investopedia, “un dipòsit de valor és essencialment un actiu, mercaderia o divisa que pot guardar-se, recuperar-se i intercanviar-se en el futur sense que es deteriori el seu valor” quan l’intercanviem per productes o serveis: si avui equival a deu pomes, passat un temps haurem de poder intercanviar-lo per, com a mínim, deu pomes també.

L’or i altres metalls preciosos han estat considerats al llarg de la història els dipòsits de valor per antonomàsia perquè la seva vida útil és pràcticament il·limitada. I, si comprovem l’evolució del preu de l’or en les últimes dècades, veurem que una unça ha passat de cotitzar per sota dels 300 dòlars quan va entrar en circulació l’euro l’any 2002 a superar els 1.900 dòlars en l’actualitat.

En l’altre extrem, productes peribles com les pomes són pèssims dipòsits de valor perquè en pocs dies es descomponen i perden tot el seu valor. Tot i que determinats productes bàsics com els aliments poden pujar de preu temporalment en funció de la situació del mercat, el seu caràcter perible impedeix considerar-los dipòsits de valor.

Els diners moderns suspenen com a dipòsit de valor

Òbviament, l’euro i la resta de les monedes fiduciàries són dipòsits de valor molt deficients perquè no es revaloren al mateix ritme que els productes i serveis que permeten adquirir. Encara que les nostres monedes haurien de ser un dipòsit de valor raonablement estable, la inflació fa que el cafè que fa uns anys compràvem en un bar per un euro avui dia ens costi bastant més. Els nostres diners es deprecien dia rere dia.

Richard Nixon va posar fi al patró or l’any 1971, que fins llavors obligava als països del Fons Monetari Internacional (FMI) a mantenir un tipus de canvi fix respecte al dòlar i a la Reserva Federal dels Estats Units a recolzar la seva divisa amb or. Des de llavors, utilitzem monedes fiduciàries, és a dir, monedes que són de curs legal però que no estan recolzades per cap bé valuós. Tots els bancs centrals poden fabricar diners segons la seva conveniència i el seu únic aval és la confiança dels ciutadans.

Com és lògic, si la quantitat de diners en circulació augmenta a un ritme més elevat que els béns i serveis que es poden adquirir amb ells, el desequilibri entre l’oferta i la demanda fa que s’apugin els preus. Per tant, els nostres diners es devaluen.

Una moneda raonablement estable és essencial per a la salut de l’economia. Una unitat monetària que funciona malament com a dipòsit de valor desincentiva l’estalvi i dificulta el comerç. Els seus efectes nefastos són evidents si donem un cop d’ull als casos d’hiperinflació que han viscut alguns països al llarg de la història.

Els metalls preciosos com a valor refugi

Al llarg de més de dos mil·lennis, moltes economies han utilitzat l’or i altres metalls preciosos com a moneda de canvi per la seva durabilitat, relativa escassetat i fàcil transport. A més, en les últimes dècades l’or ha tingut un paper important com a valor refugi. La seva demanda ha tendit a disparar-se en moments d’incertesa econòmica, com demostren les dades de l’any passat, el de major demanda des de 2011. La llarga experiència amb l’or permet avalar la seva capacitat per exercir com a dipòsit de valor a llarg termini.

En general, altres actius com els béns immobles, les obres d’art, les antiguitats o alguns objectes de col·lecció també han demostrat que poden tenir aquest rol. Tot i que el seu valor pot caure en moments puntuals, tendeixen a revaloritzar-se a llarg termini gràcies a una demanda més o menys constant i una oferta molt limitada.

El seu gran inconvenient respecte a l’or és que es tracta d’actius molt poc líquids: és difícil vendre’ls de manera immediata si volem fer-ho per un preu raonable. A més, aquests mercats exigeixen un bon coneixement i es ressenten especialment en les crisis econòmiques, quan més es tendeix a recórrer als dipòsits de valor.

I els criptoactius?

Més difícil és valorar si els criptoactius arribaran a considerar-se algun dia com a dipòsits de valor, ja que són massa recents. És cert que el bitcoin es basa en el principi d’escassetat, una característica pròpia dels dipòsits de valor: cada any es genera un número limitat de bitcoins i existeix un topall predeterminat. No obstant això, com tants altres criptoactius, el seu gran inconvenient és que manca d’un valor intrínsec. Gairebé tot el seu valor és ara com ara subjectiu, la qual cosa és terreny adobat per a la volatilitat.

Això sí, en la mesura que el bitcoin sigui acceptat de manera massiva com a mitjà de pagament i s’empri en un nombre creixent de transaccions, el seu valor s’enfortirà i augmentaran les probabilitats que arribi a ser un dipòsit de valor a llarg termini, més enllà de volatilitats puntuals.

Si vols descobrir la millor opció per protegir els teus estalvis, entra a Preciosos 11Onze. T’ajudarem a comprar al millor preu el valor refugi per excel·lència: l’or físic.

Can we change the world? What is our real capacity to impact the environment? Lara de Castro, HR Business Partner at 11Onze, explains what conscious consumption is and how we can contribute to the sustainability of the planet with our daily purchasing decisions.

We often underestimate the impact that our individual actions have on the surrounding environment. But all actions, no matter how small, contribute to shaping the world. Lara de Castro explains it in the following video with a very obvious example.

As she warns, there are many people who think that an individual act is often “too weak” to have a significant impact on the environment, “but this is not the case”. Every action counts and has consequences that can add up to those of the rest of the community. The reality is that “our daily decisions are relevant, no matter how small“. In this sense, the role that all purchasing decisions play if we are conscious consumers is very obvious.

What is conscious consumption?

Conscious consumers are people who choose products and services with criteria that go “beyond value for money,” as they include environmental and social impact as a decisive element in their purchasing habits. One consequence is the commitment to local commerce, which “is a way of supporting local producers and avoiding the economic and environmental impact of transportation,” as Lara de Castro explains.

Another example of conscious consumption can be found in water. If we want to reduce pollution on the planet, we can replace the consumption of bottled water, “with all the drawbacks that we know plastic has,” with tap water treated with sustainable filters.

As Lara de Castro points out at the end of the video, if we all become more conscious “in the small details of everyday life” the reality is that “we can change the world.” The decision is ours.

If you want to discover how to drink the best water, save money and help the planet, go to 11Onze Essentials.

Moltes llars tenen joies d’or o altres peces d’aquest metall preciós que amb el pas dels anys han perdut la seva brillantor. L’or gairebé no s’oxida, però la brutícia acumulada pel contacte amb la pell i cosmètics pot malmetre el seu aspecte. T’expliquem com netejar i cuidar les teves joies d’or amb productes naturals.

L’or pot perdre la seva lluentor natural pel contacte amb el pH de la nostra pell o per reaccions amb substàncies líquides, com el clor de la piscina o altres agents nocius. Per a mantenir l’esplendor de les peces d’or, es recomana netejar-les amb un drap blanc de cotó, com fan els joiers a l’hora de manipular-les, evitant així que el contacte amb la pell els hi resti lluentor. Existeixen moltes maneres tradicionals, naturals i efectives de netejar les teves peces d’or. A continuació t’expliquem alguns dels trucs clàssics per retornar la brillantor a aquest metall preciós:

Netejar amb sabó

• Barrejar unes gotes de sabó de rentar plats suau amb aigua tèbia en un recipient.
• Submergir la peça d’or al recipient durant uns quinze minuts una vegada estigui llesta la mescla. Veuràs que les impureses es desincrusten soles.
• Retirar la peça d’or del recipient i esbandir bé amb aigua tèbia.
• Assecar-la bé amb un drap suau.
• Repetir aquest procés tantes vegades com creguis necessari.

Recuperar la lluentor amb vinagre

• Barrejar en un recipient ½ tassa de vinagre blanc i 2 cullerades de bicarbonat de sodi
• Submergir les peces d’or que estiguin brutes o hagin perdut la seva lluentor, durant dues hores.
• Esbandir les joies d’or amb aigua freda i assecar-les amb un drap suau. També es pot fer servir una camusa abrillantadora.

Preservar la brillantor amb bicarbonat de sodi

• Barrejar tres cullerades de bicarbonat en un recipient amb un dit d’aigua tèbia. Remoure fins a formar una mescla consistent.
• Aplicar aquesta mescla sobre les peces d’or que vulguis netejar.
• Un cop aplicada la mescla sobre les joies, tirar un raig de vinagre per activar l’efervescència que desprengui la brutícia de les joies.
• Esperar uns minuts i retirar la mescla
• Esbandir amb abundant aigua tèbia, assecar les peces d’or acuradament amb un drap suau.

Or blanc o amb acabat mat

En cas que tinguis una peça d’or blanc o or amb acabat mat, has d’evitar fer servir una camussa per donar brillantor. L’or blanc consisteix en un aliatge d’or pur, de color groguenc, i altres metalls preciosos més blanquinosos, com poden ser el platí, níquel, etc., als que s’hi afegeix un bany de rodi. Per tant, netejant aquestes peces amb una camussa, podries eliminar el bany de rodi o aconseguir una brillantor no desitjada en una peça amb acabat mat.

Guarda or amb or, no barregis metalls preciosos

Per a preservar la lluentor de les teves peces i joies d’or no les guardis al costat d’altres joies o peces en plata o un altre metall. Guarda i classifica les teves peces de valor segons la composició del metall: or amb or, platí amb platí… Evitaràs que l’or o altres metalls s’enfosqueixin i així també faràs que es conservin millor, amb tota la seva lluentor.

Lingots d’or i monedes de col·leccionisme

Els lingots d’or, com els que pots comprar amb Preciosos 11Onze, acostumen a venir precintats o empaquetats amb un blíster termo-segellat que porta un codi certificant el seu origen i autenticitat. Això es fa per certificar i preservar el seu valor, tant quan els compres com a l’hora de vendre’ls. Tot i que pot ser temptador trencar el blíster per tocar la peça amb les nostres mans, no és recomanable. 

Les monedes d’or comprades com a inversió també venen empaquetades, però rarament precintades. Així i tot, no és recomanable la seva manipulació per la possible contaminació de la peça i risc de malmetre la moneda quan es neteja. A més, cal tenir en compte que les monedes de col·leccionisme, especialment monedes antigues, poden perdre una bona part del seu valor si es netegen i perden la seva pàtina original.

Si vols descobrir la millor opció per protegir els teus estalvis, entra a Preciosos 11Onze. T’ajudarem a comprar al millor preu el valor refugi per excel·lència: l’or físic.

Spain is the second country in the European Union where its population has the most money saved without remuneration. A large part of Spaniards’ savings is in current accounts and deposits that give very low returns that do not compensate for inflation. Are we investing too little and poorly?

Families have drawn on the almost 270,000 million euros saved during the worst phases of the pandemic to sustain spending in the face of the sharp price rises of the last two years. Even so, the gradual reopening of the economy and the rising cost of living have caused a large part of this accumulated savings pool to evaporate.

Even so, after the erosion suffered in 2022, the household savings rate has been recovering. It stood at 6.2% of their gross disposable income in the first quarter of the year, an increase of 83% compared with the same period a year ago. If seasonal and calendar effects are removed, it is equivalent to 14.2% of their disposable income, 1.2 points higher than in the previous quarter and the highest since the third quarter of 2021, according to the latest data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE).

In total, this is an increase to 14,119 million euros, while investment remained at 14,200 million euros, 1.3% less than the previous year. On the other hand, a financing requirement of 773 million euros was recorded, compared with an estimated financing requirement of 7,312 million euros for the same quarter of 2023.

Low-yielding financial instruments

Fixed-term deposits (38%), direct investment (32%), investment funds (15%) and Treasury bills and variable-term bonds, among others (11%), are the main options chosen by households seeking to make their savings profitable and protect themselves from the general increase in costs. The problem is that many of these options offer low returns that do not compensate for inflation.

Therefore, even though as a percentage of GDP, net financial assets represent 144.7%, a ratio 3.4 points higher than in the previous year, many people do not want or do not know how to generate wealth with their savings, which are being consumed by high inflation.

In Spain, there is almost a trillion euros in current accounts or cash, without remuneration and that even, in some cases, entails maintenance costs. Rodrigo Buenaventura, president of the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), pointed out two months ago in an appearance at the Congress of Deputies, “Our citizens invest their savings in a way that can be manifestly improved”.

How to increase the return on savings

As a general rule, investments that offer high returns come with high risk, while low-risk investments offer more stable, but potentially lower, returns. However, at 11Onze we have shown that this does not always have to be the case.

Saving with 11Onze is always based on one maxim: they have to be safe propositions. That is why we have made a firm commitment to gold, because of its historic role as a store of value. We offer you gold bars in two formats: Gold Patrimony and Gold Seed. Bearing in mind that gold has doubled in value in the last five years and that its price rose by 15% in 2023, it has established itself as an excellent option for dealing with inflation.

Social justice does not have to be at odds with generating returns on your savings. Thanks to Litigation Funding, you can help others who have been abused by banks or the government while earning returns of between 9% and 11% on your money.

It is a product that has been structured exclusively for members of the 11Onze community, offering two ways to participate: an option that returns your capital and possible profits after one year, or another option in which your capital works for a few years and provides you with a monthly return in six months.

If you want to discover the best option to protect your savings, enter Preciosos 11Onze. We will help you buy at the best price the safe-haven asset par excellence: physical gold.

Here we present 10 recommendations for you to enjoy your holiday and save on bookings and many other things.

This year, many people are expected to go on holidays in July, but will we have money for our much-desired holiday? I am sure we are all thinking about summer and, therefore, on the holiday; many of you already have in your mind the place where you want to travel, but you are waiting for new recommendations on whether we will finally be able to take a plane and enjoy a well-earned disconnection.

Holidays are necessary to reset ourselves, to enjoy our beloved ones’ presence, which is very necessary, and to recharge the batteries to get back to work with a clear head. It is also a time when we try not to pay so much attention to expenses: we usually eat too much, we buy things we know we will not find in our city, and we go to that hotel that we desired so much. That is why we are telling you some tips for saving on holidays, so that the return in September is more tolerable and free of headaches.

1. Start saving a year earlier if you can. The first recommended step is to create an estimated budget of the amount you want to invest in your next destination so that you can create a savings plan a year earlier. The most comfortable method is opening a savings account or wallet at your bank and making a recurring automatic monthly transfer; this way, before you start your holiday, you will have the saved amount you need to avoid unforeseen expenses. 
   
2. Book in advance. The online world provides us with a huge price variety. Besides, if you can have the dates for your confirmed holiday at the start of the year, you can save a lot of money, you will get better prices on your plane or train ticket, etc. The earlier you book it, the better! And the same thing will happen with the hotel; we even recommend that you book a table in that restaurant you’ve been following on Instagram using applications that offer very interesting discounts, even 50%. It is important that you check cancellation costs on your bookings, in case it is necessary. 
   
3. Take advantage of breakfast. Everyone knows breakfast is the most significant meal of the day, and it is necessary for large walks. Make use of breakfast if it’s included in your hotel nights; get ready and eat like a king; take advantage and grab a fruit for mid-morning, in case you get hungry before lunch. 
   
4. Schedule sites. If you love making a presentation of your next trip and sharing it with the rest of your travelling companions, you’re lucky, because this is another way to save money. If you list the sites you want to visit, you have the option to visit their website and make the reservation. You can find promotions and, if you are several people, you can benefit from group discounts. In addition, if you purchase the ticket in advance, you may even avoid long queues. 
   
5. Currency exchange. Even though currency prices cannot be controlled, before exchanging currency, check with your trusted bank a few weeks before your trip, to know if it is better to wait till the day before the departure. In many cases, the recommendation will be to do so at the airport, as exchange houses try to offer the best prices. One important thing: if you want to make credit card purchases during your trip, exchange an amount, even if it’s small, in case any unforeseen event arises (train ticket, tips, etc.). 
   
6. Use cards moderately. As we mentioned before, when you’re on holiday, the last thing you want to think about is how much you’re spending, but we almost always exceed ourselves… Try to implement the recommendations that we have made so far and try to avoid the use of credit cards as much as possible if it is not planned in your priorities. At that moment, it will be an impulsive purchase, but later, it will become a significant amount of spent money. 
   
7. Road trip. If your holiday option is to take the car and go to some nearby villages, use GPS, which always recommends the best route to avoid making unnecessary miles and thus save on petrol. Visiting destinations near home is a highly recommended option; we often forget the wonderful places we have neared our city that we can visit without taking a plane. 
   
8. Avoid restaurants for tourists. Plan your time well and, when you visit some particular place, if it is in a tourist area, avoid rush hours for lunch or dinner: normally, restaurants in these areas are of poor quality and high cost. It is preferable to walk four steps and look for alternative places that are frequented by locals, to ask the hotel receptionist, the taxi driver, and, of course, to look at the options Internet searchers provide. 
   
9. Hire free tours. Find them in the centre of big cities or ask that friend who travels a lot, who has certainly used them. They’re tour guides that take you around the city and tell you a lot of very interesting things without a specific fee. If you like it, it’s optional to leave a tip. 
   
10. Finance your holiday. If it has been a difficult year, and you cannot follow some of the advice that we have mentioned, such as planning in advance, do not give up to a few well-earned days of rest, find your closest travel agency, and finance that trip you are so excited about; you can also consult your bank and extend your credit card so that you can cope with your expenses or borrow a small loan that you will return comfortably month by month.

Summer is here. Use these recommendations and start daydreaming. And remember, split the amount established for your pleasure throughout your holidays and do not spend more than expected.

11Onze is the community fintech of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the app El Canut for Android or iOS and join the revolution!

Throughout history, gold has remained the ultimate store of value precisely because it maintains or increases in value during periods of economic uncertainty. That is why buying physical gold is an excellent investment option that is usually safe and profitable. However, it can also carry risks if some basic precautions are not taken into account.

Its long-term profitability, the possibility of diversifying and reducing the risk of our investment portfolios and its great liquidity that allows us to quickly recover the money invested in case of need, make gold a very attractive asset for any investor or person who wants to protect their savings in an inflationary period or in times of economic crisis.

In the last five years, it has experienced a spectacular increase in value, doubling in price and reasserting itself as the most valuable asset on the market. However, it is advisable to take certain precautions and avoid making certain mistakes when acquiring this golden metal, which we detail below:

Ignoring the purity of gold

Gold bullion must be at least 99.5% pure, although 99.99% pure gold bullion is common, while coins must be at least 80% pure. Bullion and coins that do not meet these purity standards will be subject to the standard VAT rate of 21%, which applies to the purchase of other precious metals. Preciosos 11Onze gold guarantees the highest purity (999.99 out of 1,000).

Confusing physical gold with digital gold

It is essential to be very clear that physical gold is a raw material that, once acquired, automatically becomes the property of the customer. On the other hand, digital gold, usually in the form of ETFs, are exchange-traded funds run by a fund manager, which operate on a system of leverage, so that not all the gold that is represented in the ETF’s holdings have physical gold behind them to support them.

Disregarding buy-backs

One of the first questions to ask the trader or platform that has sold us the gold is whether, if we want to sell it, he offers a buy-back service. If not, we must be suspicious of the selling price and the reliability of the trader. At 11Onze we make it easy for our customers who store their gold at home to find a buyer at the best possible price for the customer, or we sell it on their behalf if they have contracted a custody service with us.

Not planning for storage

Physical gold needs secure storage such as safes or professional storage services. Not having a safe place can expose your investment to theft. By contracting a safekeeping service, you ensure that your gold is protected and insured by a professional storage company specialised in precious metals.

If you want to discover the best option to protect your savings, go to Preciosos 11Onze. We will help you buy at the best price the ultimate safe-haven asset: physical gold.

Are you an individual saver or an institutional investor? Do you think about adding value to your savings in the long term or obtaining returns in the short term? Are you conservative, moderate or aggressive? At 11Onze we take a look at the different profiles of savers. Which one do you fit into?

In the financial markets, there are all kinds of people. We have already explained this at La Plaça: when we manage our money, there is a very strong emotional component, but there are also motivations, objectives and challenges that spur us on. It is important that we know what our attitude towards money responds to if we want to have good financial health and, of course, if we want to learn how to manage our savings in the most appropriate way.

Do you work for yourself or for others?

• The born saver. This is a natural or legal person who trades for his or her own account, i.e. to move a particular investment, often to make a return on savings.
• The institutional investor. They usually act for the capital of many investors, such as investment funds, pension funds or insurance companies. This institutional investor tends to have a lot of influence, because they do work for many shareholders at the same time.

Long horizons or immediate goals?

• The strategist. The saver who sets long-term strategies is the one who has a horizon in which he foresees giving value to a company or portfolio. For this reason, this profile tends to look for market niches that they know well, where they feel secure.
• The instinctive. On the other hand, the more financial profile aims to generate profitability in the short and medium term and, for this reason, is committed to initial investments. They do not usually intervene directly in the companies in which they invest, nor do they know them particularly well.

Conservative, moderate or aggressive?

• Conservatives save. Conservative savers tend to take decisions that are very low risk, in assets where the income is fixed, such as government bonds and equity assets with a lot of strength, such as gold.
• Moderate investors are neither black nor white. The moderate investor, on the other hand, seeks risk rather than stability, and therefore tends to combine fixed income assets and other more volatile assets. 
• The aggressive, risk-loving investor. Finally, we find the aggressive investor, who does not think so much about increasing savings, but is motivated by risk. Their investments are very volatile, with a diversified portfolio, in order to maximise returns. This profile tends to have a lot of experience in financial markets.

How you move money, explain who you are

• The philanthropist of friends and family. What we invest our savings in also explains who we are. There are, for example, those who only think about investing, not so much to save, but out of confidence in a project that is close to them, friends or family. 
• The angels who give. There are also the so-called ‘business angels’, who decide that, with their money, they want to invest in a sector they know a lot about and in which they firmly believe. 
• The asset manager. In the market we also find all those investors who work for large family estates, whether for a single family or for many.
• The adventurer. There are also all those investors, often aggressive, who have decided to enter directly into the shareholding of companies, either looking for a bit of adventure, because they are leading ‘startups’ that can turn out to be a good business in a short time or for more consolidated private capital.
• The sustainable investor. And finally, there is the saver who has decided, out of ecological awareness, not to give up the financial market, but to do so in sustainable investments and with ESG criteria.

11Onze is the fintech community of Catalonia. Open an account by downloading the super app El Canut on Android and Apple and join the revolution!

Learning to manage how we spend our money is paramount when it comes to reducing household expenses, and small outlays can end up weighing down our finances more than we realise.

The Scottish-American businessman Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) formulated the old saying: “Take care of the pennies and the pounds will take care of themselves“, to remind his employees of the need to control small expenses. Even so, these small outlays can end up weighing down our household finances.

We refer to as ant expenses to a series of small payments for services or products, sometimes unnecessary, that we make on a daily basis, almost unconsciously, but which little by little reduce an important part of our budget at the end of the year. How many times have we asked ourselves: “Where have I spent all my money on this month?

Normally, we don’t pay much attention to these everyday expenses because of their relatively low cost, but identifying and reducing them can mean the difference between not making ends meet, or having a budget that allows us to save and go on holiday.

Reducing invisible expenses

We are all aware of the costs of electricity, telephone, gas, and water bills and take them for granted. Even so, out of laziness, or to avoid problems, we rarely consider changing suppliers to reduce the price of the monthly bill. A small effort that could mean hundreds of euros saved at the end of the year.

Coffee, croissants, the lunch menu, are small treats that make our day, but a perfect example of micro-expenditure, although not always dispensable, that we can reduce the cost of. Bringing home-cooked food or shopping at the supermarket instead of going to the pub every day only saves a few euros a week, but you will no doubt be surprised at the savings you can make by calculating how much these micro-expenses add to your annual bill.

Bank charges and credit card fees are expenses that we don’t give much thought to, but they add up. Some banks take advantage of the fact that these small fees will not be seen or claimed by customers. Reducing or eliminating the number of credit cards, and opting for a deferred payment method at the end of the month that avoids paying interest, are options that only require a minimum of effort on our part.

Change consumption habits

Looking at everyday shopping, comparing prices between establishments, or taking advantage of offers can save us a significant amount of money, but changing our consumption habits is equally important. Not buying bottled water, which is often overpriced, and drinking tap water or using filters can save us a considerable amount of money while at the same time helping to reduce plastic waste in the environment.

Still, how often do we take the car for short distances? And how much time and money do we waste looking for parking? Perhaps we can consider whether a walk, taking public transport or using a bike is more appropriate for some of these journeys. Our wallet, our health, and the planet will thank us for it.

Rethinking our consumption habits and reducing our expenses does not have to lead us to live a monastic life of austerity, on the contrary, it can help us to have a good budget to enjoy the whims that enrich our lives, while eliminating expenses that make it more difficult for us.

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Tot i que qualsevol moment de l’any és bo per començar a estalviar, també és veritat que fàcilment podem trobar una excusa per no fer-ho mai. La pèrdua de poder adquisitiu per la inflació desbocada, els sous baixos, les rebaixes, el Black Friday! No obstant això, hi ha mètodes d’estalvi que requereixen un mínim esforç i estan a l’abast de quasi tothom. Càrol Rafales, de l’equip de producte d’11Onze, ens en presenta un de ben senzill de seguir.

Són moltes les persones que tracten d’estalviar per fer front a imprevistos, preveure futures compres o planificar unes bones vacances. Tantes com les que no saben com fer-ho, o que comencen a estalviar tot animades, però ho deixen córrer al cap de poc temps. Potser la clau està en anar pas a pas i començar a estalviar petites quantitats. Com apunta Rafales, “veritat que si us dic d’estalviar un euro la primera setmana, i dos la segona, no us sembla tan difícil?”.

Doncs en això es basa el repte d’estalvi de les 52 setmanes. Un mètode per estalviar fàcilment que consisteix a posar una quantitat de diners, durant 52 setmanes, en una guardiola, pot o el que t’agradi més, equivalent al número de la setmana que toqui.

De mica en mica s’omple la pica

Estalviar un euro la primera setmana, dos la segona, i així successivament, ens pot semblar ridícul, però si tenim en compte que al cap de l’any haurem estalviat 1.387 €, estem parlant d’una xifra que no és gens menyspreable. I que en tot cas, si tens un nivell d’ingressos prou elevat, “pots començar amb una xifra més elevada de” per exemple “21 €, per aconseguir més de 2.300 € al final de l’any”, explica Rafales.

Si no ens en refiem de la nostra constància en seguir aquest mètode, sempre podem programar una transferència setmanal a un compte d’estalvi, que fins i to ens pot donar uns interessos. A més, d’aquesta manera ens assegurem que aquests diners siguin de difícil accés ràpid, evitant temptacions de trencar la guardiola.

Si vols descobrir com beure la millor aigua, estalviar diners i ajudar al planeta, entra a Imprescindibles 11Onze.