Thousands of businesses, from major chains to local small businesses, are preparing to participate in the 15th annual Buen Fin, the most anticipated discount weekend of the year. Millions of people are waiting for this day to take advantage of sales, interest-free months, and special promotions. The National Chamber of Commerce, Services and Tourism (Canaco) estimates a “historic” economic impact of more than 65 billion pesos for Mexico City alone. But behind this enthusiasm for consumption, there is also the risk of falling into a financial trap unless we act strategically.
Personal finance expert Liliana Zamacona explains to EL PAÍS that Buenfin should not be understood as an invitation to buy more, but as an opportunity to think about the relationship between money and consumption. “Each year, we see people borrowing money to support themselves or make impromptu purchases,” he warns. Zamacona emphasized that this situation goes against financial prudence, saying: “This system is for you. You are not going to go into a store and hear a reminder to save for retirement. Everything is designed for you to buy.”
When is Buenfin: Participating stores and lottery
The official Buen Fin offer will run from November 13th to 17th, but some companies have started it in advance. On the program’s official website, you can find participating companies such as Palacio de Hierro, Liverpool, Inditex and H&M.
This year, in addition to these offers, there will also be a return of the Buen Fin 2025 raffle organized by the Tax Administration Authority (SAT) and the Ministry of Economy. This event aims to encourage formal purchases and the use of electronic payment methods. Anyone who purchases with a credit or debit card will automatically participate. The draw will be held on December 5th at 12:00 pm and over P500 million in prizes will be distributed, including a main prize of P250,000 for consumers and others for winning businesses.
How to spot a genuine offer
Zamacona warns that it is common for stores and businesses to increase prices in stages to make Buenfin discounts unrealistic. Therefore, we recommend comparing prices from different stores and platforms before making a purchase. The Federal Office for Consumer Protection (Profeco) has this tool. who is who in priceThis allows you to understand the cost history of thousands of products and detect whether discounts are genuine or obvious.
It is also important to check whether the store adheres to the official program. Participating companies are generally required to display the Buen Fin logo and respect the terms of sale they offer to the public. If any anomalies are detected, consumers can submit a complaint to Profeco or contact the service module installed during the campaign.
personal finance tips
Before taking advantage of Buenfin offers, experts recommend performing a personal financial assessment. In this exercise, you’ll review your income, debt, fixed expenses, and small daily expenses, or “ant’s expenses.”
Once this scenario is clear, the next step is to create an action plan for a good ending. This includes identifying all of your annual fixed costs, such as insurance, tuition, property taxes, family celebrations, etc., and determining how much you can actually take advantage of the discount.
Based on this information, Zamacona explains, a specific budget for the purchase is prepared. “Many people are already using their income towards interest-free periods and don’t realize it. Any new purchases need to be within realistic monthly limits,” he warns.
But above all, he recommends applying a personal filter – asking yourself whether you really need it. “That urge you feel is not a sign of God, it’s dopamine,” he says sarcastically. His most telling advice is simple. “Use the bonus to pay off debt or invest before purchasing.”
“Every conscious economic decision is an affirmation of freedom,” the experts conclude. “No one will take care of your money like you do.”
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