78% of Colombians regret not taking advantage of extra income such as bonuses

Colombian fintech MejorCDT, specializing in digital savings and investment, developed the first Financial Regret Index, a study that reveals the most common patterns and emotions when managing money in the country.

The study, conducted by MejorCDT in partnership with the specialized firm Views©, surveyed more than 1,000 people in Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Barranquilla, and Bucaramanga.

Read: CDT: Savings are gaining ground in the financial market, with Bogotá leading the way.

Among the main results, it is highlighted that: 78% of Colombians regret not having saved or invested their extra income, such as bonuses. 88% say that this money ended up being "pocket money" with no clear use. And, although 69% assure that they planned to use their money wisely, only 45% actually succeeded. The three biggest financial regrets

Not having saved (61%): most had the intention of saving part of their bonus, but did not manage to do so.

Overspending (54%): They indulged in impulsive purchases or unplanned spending. Planning without following through (42%): There was intention, but no action.

“The bonus is a payment made in June and December that can change the lives of many people if saved and invested correctly; and this first Colombian Financial Regret Index indicates that 78% of Colombians regret how they spent their last bonus,” says Carlos Correa, Executive Director and co-founder of MejorCDT.

The difference between those who manage to stick to their plan and those who don't is striking. According to the study, those who save or invest are three times more confident in their financial future (21% compared to 7% of those who overspent their premium).

One of the study's most important findings is the clear division of Colombians into two large groups in terms of premium income: those who tend to spend more than planned (55%) and those who manage to maintain control (45%). This difference not only defines their financial behavior, but also deeper aspects such as their perception of control, their level of regret, their motivation to invest, and their vision for the future.

"If they could turn back time, the vast majority of people who spent more than planned with their bonus would have preferred to have saved and invested it. The proportion is 41% higher than that of those who did judiciously stick to their spending plans," Correa points out. The influence of context on savings and investment decisions. Faced with a changing political and economic landscape, MejorCDT also investigated how these factors influence Colombians' savings and investment decisions, and how they plan to act going forward.

One of the most revealing findings is that political uncertainty slows down key decisions. In the current pre-election context, many Colombians are becoming more cautious: the fear of losing money intensifies, and decisions related to savings or investments tend to stall.

Thus, among those surveyed, 75% indicated that they would change their investment preferences depending on who is in power, and 74% stated that government decisions affect how they use or plan to use their money.

The report shows that financial regret is common, but also that many Colombians want to change and take control of their extra income and finances.

In this context, choosing solutions like CDTs—safe, profitable, and reliable—is a smart way to transform intention into action and make money work for you.

"Colombians want to know how much their premium will yield if they invest in CDTs, and by investing at MejorCDT.com, they can find out how much money they'll earn and how long they have to wait, without putting their premium at risk; because Fogafin insures their money," says the Executive Director of MejorCDT. In less than four years, MejorCDT has reached more than 450,000 users, generating more than $55 billion in returns.

See also: Refinancing and Savings: The Smart Strategy in the Face of Low Rates