the fixed payment that can help you save or become a vampire expense if you have not done your calculations correctly

When the consumer is presented with a good economic offer for a service that he needs or something that he is not willing to give up, his expression usually reflects broad satisfaction, aware that he can save a lot of money.

In times like the ones we live in, where the cost of living continues to increaseit is common for companies to offer interesting incentives to expand their clientele or keep what they have away from the siren song of their competitors.

One of the formulas used is to offer consumers what is called a flat rate. In theory, this basically consists of pay a fixed amount for a service regardless of the use made of it.

This practice has become more popular in recent times, especially in energy companies (Iberdrola, Naturgy, Endesa…) due to the uncontrolled rise in the price of energy. electricity and gas supplies and taking advantage of the fact that clients want to avoid unpleasant surprises at the end of the month at all costs.

These companies launch attractive promotions with what they promise you – normally the contracts are for one year – save on your household bills without worrying about your consumption by always paying the same. The problem is that, sometimes, the fine print of the contract includes penalties if you exceed a certain threshold, usually your historical maximum consumption plus 30%.

Consumer associations such as the OCU or Facua consider it a “serious mistake” to contract this type of rates because “all of them establish a limit from which they change the rate” and they always recommend using the rate regulated by the Government or opting for a rate with a good fixed price, with which you pay the same every month and which includes a regularization at the end of the contract (the company will charge you for the kWh that you have consumed more and that you have not paid each month or will return those that you have not spent).

“When contracting a flat rate, you must be careful with monthly consumption, since companies generally establish a series of limits with Penalties in case of exceeding the marked expense“warns Selectra, a company specialized in comparing energy and telecommunications rates, on its website.

Beware of the ‘vampires’!

In the case of the telecommunications sector, it is common for companies offer flat rates with unlimited data and calls and we may make the mistake of contracting the service without first reviewing our real consumption and assessing whether it compensates us or not.

Because paying more to enjoy greater coverage that we don’t really need means falling into the so-called vampire expenseswhich are the fixed expenses that we have to we think we cannot reduce or eliminate when in reality it is not like that.

“If they are constant they can suck money until your wallet is lifeless, well they take 30% of the monthly income“warns Condusef (National Commission for the Protection and Defense of Users of Financial Services in Mexico).

There are also other leisure-related flat rates which can be an unnecessary expense and become a vampire expense if we do not correctly calculate the use we are going to give them.

Cinesa has recently launched the Unlimited Carda subscription that will allow you to go to the cinema as many times as you want for a monthly cost from 15.90 euros and an annual cost from 149 euros.

For its part, Parques Reunidos offers bonuses with which you can go as many times as you want during a year to a series of specific leisure facilities (Selwo Aventura, Warner Park, Amusement Park, Faunia…) depending on the contracted flat rate. The cheapest voucher is the Selwo Costa del Sol (76 euros) and the most expensive is Platinum (279 euros).

In both cases, These flat rates can also lead to savings If you are a big movie buff or regularly go to this type of leisure parks.

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