December brings the expected bonus and with it the question that comes back to the table year after year: How can you use this additional income without losing value? Although many use part of the bonus for consumption, more and more Argentines are looking for alternatives that allow them to at least mitigate losses in purchasing power or even take the first steps into long-term savings and investments.
Bonus December 2025: Who will collect it
For this reason, we will see some of the options most often analyzed by financial specialists and educators: their possible advantages, the risks involved, minimum investment amounts and the role they can play in a balanced strategy, from forming one financial cushion to build a portfolio designed to grow savings.
Dollar and fixed term: are these still valid options?
Historically, the dollar has been the favorite haven of the average Argentine. However, buy dollars It is not an investmentbut rather a protection against sudden movements of the weight. In addition, several factors limit its appeal this December:
● The official dollar remains subject to the exchange rate band system (there is a “ceiling” and a “floor”), which limits its short-term scope for appreciation.
● In the long term, the US currency also loses purchasing power: its average inflation is around 2-3% per year. In fact, the dollar has lost almost half of its value in the last 25 years.
On the other hand, that is fixed term experienced falling interest rates for weeks. With returns of just under 25% per year and monthly inflation of 2.5%, it is possible in some cases to tie the price increase, depending on the bank. Still, it is largely a tool short termespecially in a country like ours. So what do we do with the bonus?
Emergency Fund: The First Step Before Investing
Before you think about investing, this is key have an emergency fund. The aim of this reserve is not to generate profits, but to ensure immediate liquidity without having to rely on the sale of assets.
The general recommendation from international financial institutions is to save occasionally Three and six month expenses. Since the bonus is usually equal to half a salary, this month could be a good opportunity for many to start putting it together.
Bonus 2025: Where it should be invested according to experts
Where should this fund be kept? For this purpose, liquid instruments are used that allow you to have access to this money at any time. For example, paid accounts or virtual walletswhich typically offer returns close to inflation movements. Another alternative used in Argentina is saving Dollar or “crypto dollar”although it also has its own risks and peculiarities.
In any case, this fund is not intended to be an investment in the strictest sense that generates profits, but rather a financial cushion that allows us to sleep peacefully and that will be there if we need it tomorrow.
Long-term investments: alternatives with potential
In Argentina we live with the constant risk of a possible increase in the exchange rate. For this reason, we will analyze alternatives that, in contrast to simply hoarding dollars, have not only shown the ability to improve purchasing power over time, but also accompany the evolution of the dollar, thus providing protection from the usual ups and downs of the local economy:
1. International investments
The ETFs They are investments that replicate something else. For example, a gold ETF tracks the price of gold. It is a way to “digitally invest in gold”. The most popular ETFs track the price of various US-listed companies. They have been a tool used worldwide for decades to invest in developed and highly diversified economies.
● S&P 500 (Ticker: SPY): is considered by many analysts to be the most efficient tool in the long term, with historical performance close to 10% annually in dollars. Approximate minimum investment: 53,000 pesos
● Nasdaq 100 (Ticker: QQQ): The group, which consists primarily of technology companies, has recorded returns over the last decade 19% annually in dollars, although with higher rises and falls than the SPY, which entails higher risk. Approximate minimum investment: 48,000 pesos
● XLK (Ticker: XLK): The company focuses exclusively on technology companies and has delivered an average annual return of over 22% in dollar terms over the past decade. Approximate minimum investment: 5,000 pesos
Although these instruments have a solid track record, they are not immune to temporary declines. Various studies indicate that investing over a minimum period of 5 to 20 years significantly reduces the probability of loss.
Bonus 2025: 29% of Argentines will use it to pay off debts
No small thing, you can invest in any of these platforms through Argentine platforms called brokers or technically “Settlement and Clearing Agents (ALYCs)”, and they all follow the price of the dollar in addition to the value of the stocks in which they invest.
2. Shares of Argentine energy companies
The local energy sector appears to be one of the key areas expected in the coming years. Forecasts from consulting firms and international banks assume that a growing energy surpluswhich would benefit gas and electricity export companies.
Companies such as YPF or Pampa Energía are usually mentioned in this group, but always on the condition that the Argentine market is represented high volatility and regulatory risk. The minimum investment price depends on the stock, with YPF (ticker: YPFD) being the most expensive at around P55,500 per share. Other energy companies such as Pampa Energía (ticker: PAMP) or Transportadora de Gas del Sur (ticker: TGSU2) have significantly cheaper prices per share, namely 5,500 pesos and 10,000 pesos, respectively.
In addition, these types of Argentine companies, which are also listed in the United States, follow the price of the dollar, just like the ETFs mentioned above.
3. Cryptocurrencies
Bitcoin remains the best-known cryptocurrency and, despite its high volatility, is viewed by many investors as a speculative asset with long-term growth potential. Its price has risen and fallen significantly, which is why it is usually assigned to just one small part of the portfolio by investors with a high risk tolerance.
There are rumors that 2026 will be a bad year for cryptocurrencies in general, but experts point out that it could be a good time to “accumulate,” which means making small purchases over time.
Of course, like the previous two options, they also follow the dollar. However, in this case the minimum investment is much lower than in the previous ones. Although the price of Bitcoin is still around $90,000 per unit, any saver can purchase “satoshis,” which are minimal portions of Bitcoin. The minimum amount depends on the platform used, but is generally around 1,000 pesos.
It is important for every saver and investor to emphasize that every investment carries risk. The most conservative, typical and traditional investments for Argentina, such as: Some investments, such as fixed-term investments, have almost a guaranteed payment but tend to lose against inflation. On the other hand, the investments that have generated the most returns in recent years, such as Bitcoin, whose price increased by more than 120% in dollars in 2024 alone, have seen a decline of 75% or more, meaning a loss of three-quarters of the money of investors who got in at the most inopportune moment. Therefore, you must always assume the risk of an investment if you want to make it.
Ariel Mamani is a young leader in financial education and founder of INVERARG.
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