The depression at the end of the month: what do Argentines stop consuming when the salary is not enough

A recent report concluded, through a survey with 3,550 households throughout the country, that 8 out of 10 Argentine families have non-bank debts and that, in many cases, they have had to resort to their savings or loans to pay current expenses.

“In our country, 4 out of 10 households are poor, but even another 2 out of 10 are entering a new poverty, since working its members cannot complete a total basic basket”, indicates the report presented a few days ago by the consultant Focus Market.

Also read: Six out of 10 households in Argentina go into debt to buy food and medicine

This problem represents a permanent concernboth for registered wage earners and for those who receive their income as monotributistas, self-employed or directly in the informal economy.

TN conducted a survey to find out what purchases or consumptions do Argentines leave aside when the salary is not enough or the budget is shortened. This dilemma, which used to occur during the last days of the month, exceeds that period and occurs week by week in various aspects.

Luisa street vendor in the Constitución area, father of two children, told this outlet that He cut back on meat, abandoned top brands, and turned to chicken, noodles, and rice.

“You have to hit it forward, there is no other left. I have kids and they have to morph. Sometimes I stop eating noodles and buy rice, which is what we consume the most. Or stews with potatoes and carrots, because every day you have to pay for things and one with children has more expenses, ”she said.

This same thing happens to Silviawho runs with her daughter so as not to miss the bus and get home quickly: “What I stop buying are essential things, for example oil, which is very expensive. And meat, which is the most expensive thing in the family basket”.

For Carolinamother of four girls and one boy, the most painful thing is having to stop going out with your children to eat a hamburger or see a movie at the cinema. “You can’t anymore. Now I have to be adding and subtracting things, which went from here to China. I don’t make it to the end of the month. For the record, I work for now, but I don’t arrive. Before, I used to go to the big supermarkets to buy, now I have to keep an eye on where it is cheaper, because a penny more or less will help me at home, ”she told TN.

“The exits have been a while since we left them. Private doctor? Forget. The food has to be found. Lots of pasta and less bread. We are getting worse and worse. This has never been seen, I don’t know where we are going to end up,” he said. Jose Luisowner of a newsstand.

“I have had the position for 40 years and the crisis that is seen now has never been seen before. The crisis is galloping, it becomes very difficult. Luckily I have regular clients and with that I’m getting by, she said.

The report mentioned at the beginning of this note also states that “Argentine families not only finance themselves with banks, but also began to do so by not paying certain current expenses, such as taxes, services, quotas, resorting to lenders, or the purchase method on credit. On average, the non-bank debts of a family are $189,000″.

Depression, anxiety and stress from not making ends meet

for the graduate Cynthia Zaiatzpsychologist and head of mental health at the Caseros Model Sanatorium, “the economic issue makes people very ill. Lately, I am receiving many patients with depressive symptoms for not making ends meet. People who tell me that they work double shifts and now they have to cut back or switch to second brands.”

“There is a tendency, translated into stress and anxiety, that this will never end. Being in debt creates a lot of pressure. Post pandemic it was seen that this worsened. They know that food and health is the main thing, missing outings or fun is a very serious problem”, maintained the psychologist.

This scenario described by Mrs. Zaiatz expresses it perfectly Eric, 32 years old, from General Rodríguez: “At the beginning I go to parties and at the end of the month I save myself. I live with my old lady and between the two of us we search for it. But there comes a time I stop buying alcohol or soda and reduce the number of cigarettes”.

“When the end of the month arrives I can’t even load the SUBE. I live alone, thank God I have a job, but the salary is not enough. If I don’t have the ticket, I lose my presenteeism and that affects me,” Lucas told this outlet.

quimey, 18 years old from Monte Grande, who works with her mother and studies Design, assures that she saves money to be able to buy the utensils for the college. The complete young woman: “Sometimes I don’t arrive. The issue of buying clothes… He makes a band that I don’t buy myself. I don’t do it because I have to save”.

Video and production: Agustina Ribó.

Editing: Berenice Laciar.