With just two days to go before the start of the Colombinas Festival, economist Carlos Marín recommends setting a spending limit and comparing prices to avoid surprises. Children's rides will increase by 50 cents, up to 3 euros.
There are only 48 hours left until the Colombinas Festival in Huelva opens its doors, and rising prices have become the main concern for the locals. Economist Carlos Marín has offered a series of guidelines on COPE for families to enjoy without straining their wallets.
Marín recommends, as a first step, setting a total spending limit and then dividing it into categories: rides, stalls, parking. This way, he says, impulsive purchases can be avoided. The expert also suggests having saved throughout the year, setting aside a monthly amount; for example, 20 euros a month would allow for 240 euros for the festivities.
Another key point is not to be swayed by others' spending and to stick to one's own budget, especially when attending in a group. “Enjoy with what you have saved, not with what you don’t have,” Marín states on Herrera in COPE in Huelva.
The economist emphasizes the importance of comparing prices between different stalls and vendors, as some business owners may not have passed on the entire price increase to remain competitive. Finally, he recommends teaching children “a small culture of saving,” helping them understand that “if it’s not possible, it’s not possible.”
Prices already reflect the upward trend. On Children's Day, children's rides will cost 3 euros and adult rides, 4 euros, which represents a 50-cent increase compared to last year. In contrast, the price of the three official parking areas remains at 5 euros.
At the stalls, the situation varies. The Hermandad de la Borriquita has tried to maintain the prices of its garlic prawns and tortillas, according to its representative, Chema Requelme. Meanwhile, Luis Santamaría, in charge of the catering that will operate at the Hermandad de la Esperanza stall, confirms that the business has absorbed the increases in meat and fish prices. They offer portions at 12 euros and plates of ham or loin at 17 euros.
Marín stresses that the fairground operators “are not to blame for raising prices,” as they are the “consequence of inflation circumstances.” The macroeconomic context is adverse: the CPI has risen by 3% in the last year, and prices have increased by 50% over the last 20 years, according to data from the National Statistics Institute.
The expert is blunt in stating that “we are losing purchasing power.” He criticizes the triumphant macroeconomic view that clashes with the reality of households. “It’s false that we are doing well,” he explains, because although aggregate GDP is growing, per capita GDP is declining and families “are finding it increasingly more challenging” to make ends meet due to inflation.
Marín warns that the rise in prices above wages threatens to make popular festivals like the Colombinas unaffordable for many families. “We are becoming poorer, even though they tell us otherwise,” he asserts, which necessitates a greater financial and savings culture to continue enjoying these traditions.
Public perception is one of resignation. A family with three children has set a budget of 100 euros for a day, while others prefer not to plan and spend “whatever comes.” They will opt to cut expenses, such as on the “rides,” because “you won’t be able to go on them as you did before; you’ll have to reduce the places you go to, because it’s more expensive.”
The Colombinas Festival, which commemorates the departure of the three caravels to the New World, begins this weekend. Huelva residents who want to enjoy without surprises would do well to follow the economist's advice: plan, compare, and above all, not spend more than what they have saved.
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