(Or how to not spend it all on snacks and regret it later)
The mystery of the disappearing money
It’s Friday. Your allowance arrives. You feel like Elon Musk for 10 minutes. You buy a soda, some chips, an app you’ll never use, and when you blink… the money’s gone!
Black magic? Financial Bermuda Triangle? No. Just bad economic decisions. But relax, we all start out this way.
This article is your financial survival manual, also known as: “How not to wreck your finances?”
So… what the heck is money?
Money is that little piece of paper (or number on a screen) that everyone wants. But in reality, it has no magic powers. Money is a tool for exchange.
Long ago, people traded cows for rice. Today, nobody wants to bring a cow to school. That’s why we use money.
But it’s not just about spending it. What matters is how you use it. Because if you don’t manage it well, money becomes your worst enemy. (And no, we’re not exaggerating… okay, maybe a little.)
The 4 things you can do with your money
If money could talk, it would say: “Hey, I’m valuable. Don’t waste me on gummy candy every week.”
Let’s go over the basics. Everything you do with your money falls into one of these 4 categories:
1. Income
It’s what you receive: your allowance, what you earn helping someone, selling desserts, or winning video game tournaments (yes, it happens).
2. Expenses
It’s what goes out. Every soda, every unnecessary app, every delivery order at 11 pm… it adds up.
3. Savings
It’s what you don’t spend. It’s that little bit of money you set aside for a future you who will be grateful not to be totally broke.
4. Investment
It’s using money to make more money. We’re not talking about becoming the Wolf of Wall Street, but putting it to work (even just a little).
Real-life example (drama included)
Andrés, 16 years old. Every week he received 
60. He doesn’t even have 
2 a week. In three months, he had 
48. And best of all: he no longer feels like a prematurely broke adult.
Moral of the story: saving isn’t punishment. It’s protection against financial karma.
Ninja tricks for managing your money better (without dying trying)
- Write down your expenses (build your personal budget). You’ll discover you spend more on gum than on real food.
- Set goals. “I want to save for headphones” sounds better than “I’ll see if there’s anything left over.”
- Split your money. One envelope for expenses, one for savings, and one for emergencies (or smart splurges).
- Don’t follow silly trends. If your friends buy the
5 in your pocket, ask yourself:“What part of this makes me happy today… and what part will make me happy tomorrow?”
And remember: money doesn’t grow on trees. But with good habits, it can multiply.
(Or at least, it can keep you from eating instant soup all month.)
Starting credit for you: +10 in financial wisdom.
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5 in your pocket, ask yourself: