Did you receive your 13th-month salary? 5 smart steps to use this extra money without regrets in January.

Received your 13th-month salary and already feeling that irresistible urge to spend it all?

Relax. This extra money, which comes as an annual bonus to millions of Brazilians, can be the deciding factor between starting the year with peace of mind or with mounting bills.

Instead of falling into the trap of impulsive consumption, transform it into a strategic tool.

Here, we explore five smart steps, based on real financial logic, to maximize this resource without regrets.

Find out more below!

Received the 13th salary: Summary of topics covered

1. Why does the 13th-month salary emerge as a unique opportunity?
2. How do you assess your financial situation before making any move?
3. Which debts should I prioritize to eliminate the burden of interest payments?
4. How can investing your surplus money multiply your savings?
5. How can you plan mindful spending that brings sustainable pleasure?
6. Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the 13th-month salary emerge as a unique opportunity?

Firstly, the 13th salary is not just an extra payment; it represents approximately 8.33% of your annual income, calculated on your base salary.

Unlike sporadic bonuses, it is guaranteed by the CLT (Brazilian Labor Law) for formal workers, which makes it predictable and therefore plannable.

However, many see it as "free money," ignoring the fact that it's already part of the extended family budget.

Furthermore, in a country where accumulated inflation in 2024 exceeded 4.51% according to IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics), this value loses purchasing power if it is not managed intelligently.

Thus, it emerges as a rare window for financial adjustments, especially since January brings vehicle tax, property tax, and school supplies – expenses that consume, on average, 15% of the monthly income of middle-class families.

Finally, imagine the 13th month salary as a "wild card" in a financial chess game: used incorrectly, it becomes a sacrificed pawn; used correctly, it promotes the queen.

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And you, have you ever stopped to think: why wait for the chaos of January to react, when you can prevent it now?

How do you assess your financial situation before making any move?

First of all, grab a pen and paper – or a simple spreadsheet – and list all your income and expenses for the last three months.

This reveals hidden patterns, such as forgotten subscriptions that drain R$ 50 monthly without you realizing it.

Moving on to the practical application, add the full 13th salary (or the installment, if paid in advance) and subtract taxes: for salaries above R$ 3,000, income tax can reach up to 7.5%.

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Next, categorize your finances into essentials (housing, food), variable expenses (leisure, transportation), and debts.

Statistics from the National Confederation of Commerce (CNC) show that 781% of Brazilians end the year with some outstanding debt – and the 13th salary could reduce this by 201% if applied correctly.

Therefore, this initial assessment avoids emotional decisions.

Now, create a prioritization table for better visualization:

This structure, moreover, facilitates transitions to the next steps, ensuring that money flows to where it really matters.

Which debts should I prioritize to eliminate the burden of interest payments?

Initially, identify debts by interest rate: credit card (average of 300% per year) and overdraft (above 150%) should come first.

For example, if you owe R$ 2,000 on revolving credit, paying it off with your 13th-month salary saves you R$ 500 in interest in the next quarter – an implied return better than any savings account.

Moving on to strategies, use the snowball method: pay off the smallest debts first to gain psychological momentum.

For example, Ana, a teacher in Sorocaba, received R$4,500 in her 13th-month salary and paid off R$1,200 in store installments, freeing up R$300 per month that previously went towards interest. The result?

She avoided cyclical debt.

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Furthermore, negotiate with creditors before paying. Banks offer discounts of up to 40% for cash settlement at the end of the year.

Therefore, prioritizing isn't just about mathematics; it's liberating, transforming the 13th-month salary into immediate relief.

How can investing your surplus money multiply your savings?

First, after settling urgent expenses, direct the remaining funds towards daily liquidity options, such as Tesouro Selic (Brazilian Treasury bonds linked to the Selic rate), which yields approximately 100% of the Selic rate (currently 10.5%).

Unlike leaving it in a checking account, this actively combats inflation.

Furthermore, for one-year horizons, CDBs from medium-sized banks pay 110-120% of the CDI with FGC protection up to R$ 250 thousand.

Next, diversify: 50% in safe fixed income, 30% in multi-market funds, and 20% in stocks via ETFs.

A creative example: imagine João, a mechanic who received R$ 6,000 as his 13th-month salary; he invested R$ 3,000 in a sustainable equity fund, which appreciated by 18% in 2024, generating an extra R$ 540 effortlessly – money that paid his 2025 vehicle tax.

Finally, use apps like PicPay or Nubank for monthly automations.

In this way, investing becomes a habit, and the 13th-month salary becomes the seed of a growing fortune.

How can you plan mindful spending that brings sustainable pleasure?

Start by defining "sustainable pleasure": it's not about buying the latest smartphone, but investing in experiences that last, like an online R$ 800 course that elevates your career.

Moving on to practical matters, allocate a maximum of 20% from your 13th-month salary for this – the rest should protect the future.

Furthermore, apply the adapted 50/30/20 rule: 50% needs, 30% conscious wants, 20% savings.

For example, Maria, a freelance designer, used R$ 1,000 of her 13th-month salary for a family weekend trip to a local inn, costing less than a gadget but creating memories worth more than emotional compound interest.

Finally, ask yourself: does this expense bring me closer to or further away from my long-term goals? In this way, pleasure becomes an ally, not an enemy, of stability.

Received your 13th-month salary? Frequently Asked Questions

Received the 13th salary.? For further information:

• Official Treasury Direct – how to invest
• Income Tax Calculator for 13th Salary – Federal Revenue Service
• Debt statistics – CNC

Andre Neri November 7, 2025