Why does your salary always run out in the middle of the month even though you don't feel like you've spent anything?
Feel like every time you get paid, your money just goes by? It wasn't until the 15th that your balance was dying, even though you were sure you didn't buy anything big. This phenomenon of your salary running out in the middle of the month is not because you are wasteful, but because there are 'invisible thieves' who are draining your account slowly.
The problem is not in big salaries, but in small leaks that you are not aware of. Here are 5 psychological and financial reasons why your salary always runs out prematurely.
1. Alus Leaks: A Small, Underestimated Expense
The wallet's biggest enemy is not branded shopping, but daily spending of small change. Our brains only remember big transactions, but forget to count the small ones.
Examples of good leaks that cause losses
Daily coffee: 25 thousand x 22 working days = 550 thousand/month
Afternoon snack: 15 thousand x 30 days = 450 thousand/month
Parking & toll change: 10 thousand x 20 days = 200 thousand/month
Forgot to cancel subscriptions: Netflix, Spotify, applications = 200 thousand/month
Total leaked alus: 1.4 million. Even the UMR salary can be used up by a third just for those who "don't feel it".
2. You are paying for 'past sins'
Don't feel like shopping this month? Try checking, maybe you are paying last month's bill.
Past Bills That Suck Up Your Salary
Paylater & credit card installments from shopping 30 days ago
Debt to a friend that has not been paid off
Auto-debit insurance or annual fees
Cashback & points that make you shop again
This is called present bias. Our brain enjoys the goods now, but the pain of paying is postponed to the future. When you get paid, your salary only comes to cover old debts.
3. There is no 'pain' when paying
Research calls this the pain of paying. When you pay cash, your brain feels sick because you see physical money coming out. Different from QRIS, e-wallet, or cards.
Just tapping 50 thousand feels like "ah a little". Even if you do it every day = 1.5 million a month. Because there is no pain, self-control becomes weak.
4. Hidden Costs That Are Considered 'Not Shopping'
Many people say "I don't shop", even though there are mandatory fees that secretly suck up their salaries.
Cost of Living That Makes Money
Electricity, water, wifi, quota = 800 thousand
Daily petrol or motorbike taxi costs = 600 thousand
BPJS, RT, social gathering contributions = 300 thousand
Sudden motorbike service = 250 thousand
Invite & treat friends = 400 thousand
This is not shopping, but living expenses. And inflation makes the numbers continue to rise every year without you realizing it.
5. Mental Accounting: The brain has already booked the salary
It wasn't until the 1st that my brain was already thinking: "I'll have the remaining 500 thousand for snacks at the end of the month." So without a written plan, your money already has posts in your head.
The problem is, “unexpected” posts are never counted. As soon as there is a sudden expense, immediately take your savings.
So how do you ensure your salary doesn't run out in the middle of the month?
Don't worry, you don't have to be stingy with yourself. Just close the leak using these 4 methods:
1. 7 Day Brutal Tracking
Record ALL expenses for the week, including 2k parking. Just use HP Notebook. Guaranteed to be shocked to see where the money goes.
2. Digital Envelope System
When you get paid, immediately separate them into 4 accounts/e-wallets:
50% Needs: Food, boarding, transport, bills
20% Savings: Move early, not wait for the remainder
20% Pay Debt: Installments & pay later
10% Snacks: This is your portion of your spree. If it runs out, stop.
3. 1x24 Hour Rule for Checkout
Want to buy goods online? Add to basket, leave for 24 hours. If you're still thinking about it tomorrow, it means you really need it. 80% of shopping desires will disappear.
4. Audit Subscriptions Every Month
Open m-banking, check the "auto debit" mutation. Unsubscribe from applications that you haven't opened in the last 2 months. Quite a savings of 100-300 thousand.
Conclusion
Your salary runs out in the middle of the month, not because you like to spend money. But due to a combination of good leaks, paying off past debts, and no system for managing money.
The key is not to increase salaries, but to plug leaks. Once you know where the money is going, then you can apply the brakes. Wallet is safe, expiration date is not a nightmare.
Do you want to upgrade your money management skills so you don't get paid all the time? There are lots of practical financial tips on Zoyalink that you can learn for free.
