Don't Underestimate Small Expenses, Your Salary Could Run Out Mid-Month

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - Many people focus solely on large-scale financial planning, such as buying their dream vehicle or saving for education funds. However, being too focused on major goals can cause someone to overlook leaks in funds from daily snacking habits. “We tend to underestimate the small things, so we won’t be prepared for the big ones,” said certified financial planner Mike Rini at the halal bihalal event with PT Kino Indonesia titled “Reconnect: Building Meaning in Every Family Choice” in Jakarta on Wednesday (29/4/2026). According to him, small unconscious daily expenditures surprisingly contribute the most to disrupting household budgets at the end of every month. Therefore, practising mindful consumption can help you stay vigilant in observing every rupiah that leaves your wallet. Mike states that every rupiah spent has a domino effect on a person’s psychological and financial condition. Underestimating small expenses will form a mentality of taking money lightly. This careless attitude ultimately causes someone to fail in analysing economic problems clearly. A messy financial condition is usually reflected in piles of unused items in the home, such as untouched clothes or leftover food in the refrigerator that eventually spoils. “Mindful living, mindful spending, it’s actually about being directed, planned, and controlled,” Mike said. All forms of material waste will ultimately lead to pointless financial losses for the owner. Therefore, ensuring that every item or service purchased has an essential function is an equally important step to save the family’s financial condition from unregulated consumptive behaviour. A person may greatly need decent clothing for working to earn a living every day, but the decision to buy a luxury brand for social recognition is a deviation from the primary function of clothing itself.