Food and supermarket costs weigh heaviest on Brazilian budgets

A survey conducted by Serasa in partnership with the Opinion Box Institute reveals that food and supermarket expenses are the primary financial burden for 59% of Brazilians. Other significant costs include housing, rent, or financing (40%), and household utilities (32%).

Financial difficulties are most acute during the third and fourth weeks of the month for 41% of respondents, while 13% report struggling throughout the entire month. Approximately 28% of those surveyed must make spending cuts, postpone payments, or manage expenses they cannot settle within the same month.

To manage these pressures, 29% of consumers reduce non-essential spending and 22% seek extra income. Credit cards have become a primary tool for covering shortfalls, used by 28% of participants in the last 12 months, though credit card bills are also the most common commitment left unpaid due to lack of funds (25%).