**Aguinaldo 2024: To Save or to Spend on Gifts?**
As the festive season approaches, employees in Baja California face the annual dilemma of whether to save their aguinaldo—a mandatory year-end bonus equivalent to at least 15 days of salary—or to splurge on holiday gifts. According to the data from the National Survey of Occupation and Employment, over 1.7 million people are actively employed in the region, all entitled to receive their aguinaldo by December 20th, as mandated by Article 87 of the Federal Labor Law.
With the expected boost in retail sales between 35% to 45% during December, many consider investing their aguinaldo in electronics, clothing, digital devices, and even vehicles according to Julian Palombo Saucedo, president of the National Chamber of Commerce (Canaco Servytur) in Tijuana. However, economic expert Ismael Plascencia López advises individuals to prioritize financial literacy, warning against the blind accumulation of credit card debt with unknown interest rates.
Plascencia also suggests that young parents avoid purchasing expensive electronics like smartphones for their children and instead use their bonus to reduce personal debt or save for unforeseen circumstances. This financial prudence becomes even more critical as proposals to double the aguinaldo to 30 days have stalled.
Moreover, Isabel Guadalupe Heredia, a young professional, shares that she plans to use her aguinaldo both for gifts and savings, a sentiment echoed by financial advice to allocate a portion of the bonus for emergencies. Conversely, Maria de Lourdes Rodríguez, with family obligations, intends to use her bonus for household debts and necessities rather than festive indulgences.
As we approach 2025, the economic landscape remains uncertain under the new U.S. administration, potentially affecting inflation rates and economic stability in regions like Tijuana that have a dollar-centric economy. Experts underscore the need for personal savings and continued education as a bulwark against financial instability.
**[Secondary Article] Updates on Aguinaldo Policies and Economic Insights**
**Changes in Aguinaldo Policies and Economic Impacts for 2025**
Recent discussions around the an aguinaldo increment to 30 days remain unresolved, potentially influencing legislative strategies in upcoming elections. Analysts suggest significant economic challenges in 2025, with unpredictable international trade relations possibly impacting Mexico due to policy changes under the new U.S. presidency.
Alejandro Arregui Ibarra from the local Labor and Social Welfare department emphasizes the legal obligation for employers to comply with the aguinaldo payment. With penalties set to commence after December 20th for non-compliance, tools like a dedicated WhatsApp hotline have been set up for employees to report defaulters.
In preparation for these developments, financial institutions like CONDUSEF urge consumers to make informed purchasing decisions this holiday season, encouraging price comparisons and fiscal mindfulness to avoid impulsive spending.
Meanwhile, anticipated cost-of-living adjustments in areas like Tijuana are expected to fluctuate with proposals linked to the UMA value, influencing both public service charges and private expenses.
As citizens brace for an economically challenging year, it remains crucial to balance holiday spending with strategic financial planning, turning the aguinaldo into an anchor for both immediate joy and long-term security.