All guides

The full index of Plata Clara's personal finance guides for Colombia — credit, rates, credit score, and savings, all with official figures.

All the personal finance guides published so far, with real, up-to-date Colombian figures — each one sourced from an official institution (the Superintendencia Financiera, the Banco de la República, or DANE) and dated, since several of these numbers change monthly or even weekly.

These guides explain how credit, savings, and everyday financial terms work specifically in Colombia — in Colombian pesos, under Colombian regulation — covering everything from the usury rate and credit scores to CDTs, budgeting methods, and how a credit card statement actually works. They're general education, not personalized financial or tax advice: for decisions about your own situation, check with your bank or a certified financial advisor.

BudgetingHow to build a personal budget (the 50/30/20 method and alternatives)What the 50/30/20 method is for budgeting your income, what other methods exist, and how to choose a general framework for organizing your finances.

CreditHow your credit card works: statement dates, limit, and minimum paymentWhat the statement closing date, payment due date, minimum payment, and credit limit mean on a Colombian credit card, and how they affect your score.

CreditConsumer credit vs. free-investment loans: the real differencesHow consumer credit and free-investment loans differ in Colombia, and what to check before choosing one.

SavingsEmergency fund: how much to save and where to keep itHow much money you should keep in an emergency fund in Colombia, where to keep it so it doesn't lose value, and how to start with nothing saved.

CreditHow your credit score works in ColombiaWhat a credit score is in Colombia, what factors move it, how to check it for free, and the most common myths about credit bureaus.

CreditWhat the DTF is and what it's used forWhat the DTF rate is in Colombia, who calculates it, what it's used for as a reference in loans and CDTs, and its current value.

BudgetingWhat the IPC is and how inflation affects youWhat Colombia's IPC measures, who calculates it, the latest DANE figure, and how inflation relates to your purchasing power.

SavingsWhat a CDT is and how it worksWhat a Certificado de Depósito a Término (CDT) is in Colombia, typical terms, how the return is calculated, and what happens if you withdraw early.

CreditUsury rate in Colombia: what it is and how much it is todayWhat Colombia's usury rate is, how the Superintendencia Financiera calculates it monthly, and why it caps the legal interest on cards and loans.

CreditEffective annual rate (E.A.): what it means and how it's calculatedWhat the effective annual rate means on a Colombian loan, how it differs from the nominal rate, and how to use it to actually compare loans.