To Prevent Holiday Allowance Running Out Quickly, Analyst Shares "Smart Money" Strategy for Managing Eid Money

Jakarta — The Eid holiday period is characterised by the disbursement of holiday bonuses known as Tunjangan Hari Raya (THR). However, many people experience a situation where this money runs out quickly after the holiday period ends.

This phenomenon is influenced not only by high seasonal consumption but also by financial management approaches. Without proper strategy, THR risks becoming merely a short-term expenditure without providing sustainable financial benefit.

Sergio Ticoalu, Chief Marketing Officer of PT Indo Premier Sekuritas (IPOT), stated that the THR period should be a moment to begin thinking like “smart money”—using money more strategically rather than simply following impulses to consume.

“The THR period is actually a good opportunity to start thinking like smart money. It means not just spending money, but allocating it more strategically so that part of it can continue to grow and work for the future,” Sergio said in a press statement on Tuesday (17 March 2026).

IPOT has shared four simple strategies to ensure THR funds can be managed more productively.

The first step is ensuring financial conditions remain secure. One approach is to allocate part of the THR to strengthen emergency reserves.

“At minimum, 20-30 per cent of THR can be allocated as reserve funds. This is important to keep financial conditions stable throughout the year,” he explained.

With emergency funds in place, people can meet unexpected needs without having to borrow or disrupt other financial plans.

After Eid expenses are covered, the remaining THR can be used as additional investment capital.

Sergio stressed the importance of making investments based on analysis and conviction rather than merely following trends or FOMO (fear of missing out).

“A healthy investor is someone who has conviction about their investment decisions. So it’s not just going along with the crowd, but understanding why they have chosen that particular instrument,” he said.

Managing money well depends not only on income size but also on the level of financial literacy.

With good understanding of investment and financial management, a person can make more rational and measured decisions.

“Confidence in investing comes from understanding. The more we understand how markets and investment instruments work, the better decisions we can make,” Sergio added.

In the IPOT application, funds stored in xRDN can still provide potential returns of around 2 per cent, higher compared with conventional savings interest which generally ranges from 0.02-0.2 per cent per year, whilst maintaining high liquidity.

In this way, funds remain productive while helping to reduce impulses for impulsive spending.

“The smart money concept does not mean abstaining from enjoying the Eid moment, but ensuring that part of the money continues to work for us after the holiday ends,” Sergio concluded.