Money runs out before the end of the month for 63% of workers

For 63% of workers with a formal contract (CLT), the salary does not last until the end of the month. In addition to limiting purchasing power, the consequences are worsened by default, stress and a drop in productivity.

This is what the research “Habits and Impacts of Workers’ Financial Health” shows, carried out by fintechs Zetra and SalaryFits, in partnership with the research company On The Go.

The result of this year’s survey is slightly better than that of the previous edition, in 2021, when 66% said they would run out of money for the rest of the month after paying expenses such as rent, electricity, food. In 2019, it was 58%.

After paying expenses and being at zero, the worker resorts to other means to supplement their monthly income, such as working on the side, accessing their credit card limit or taking out a loan.

Faced with the inability to pay, 24% use a credit card or look for side work. Another 16% use a special check and 10% take out bank loans to cover their expenses.

The point is that the salary not covering the month is not a one-off difficulty that will be resolved in the next payment. It tends to get worse as debts increase, fatigue from multiple jobs weighs down and interest rates accumulate on the cards.

The effects of debt, added to the lack of money and the prospect of a solution, are mainly manifested by increased stress, irritation and lack of attention, affecting productivity at work.

Of those interviewed, 56% said that the lack of money affects their personal life, and 58% said that it affects their work. The percentages are higher than those recorded in the previous edition of the survey, in 2021.

The survey considered three classifications of expenses: essential, necessary and superfluous. Essential expenses include housing (rent/condominium), basic food, health, hygiene, taxes, electricity, as well as internet, gas, transport, home maintenance and insurance.

The class of necessary costs includes fuel, cable TV subscription and streaming platform. And the superfluous expenses group includes gym, club, travel, luxury items, aesthetic treatments and alcoholic drinks.