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Banco.guru guides

Guides to personal finance, banking and money

Here are all the Banco.guru guides, organized into 8 topics. Pick yours, read the plain-language explanation and run your numbers with our free tools.

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180

articles published (October 2026, in Spanish)

8

topics to understand your money

22

free calculators, no sign-up

Complete guides

Eight long-form guides, one per topic, to understand each area from start to finish.

Personal finance guide: how to organize your money step by stepRead the complete guide →Saving and investing guide: from your first savings to your first investmentRead the complete guide →Financial security guide: how to protect your money from fraud and scamsRead the complete guide →Bank account guide: types, costs and how to chooseRead the complete guide →Credit card guide: how they work and how to avoid paying interestRead the complete guide →Financial guide for entrepreneurs: cash, pricing and financingRead the complete guide →Guide to taxes in Ecuador for individuals and the self-employedRead the complete guide →Guide to understanding the economy: inflation, rates and indicatorsRead the complete guide →
In short

Banco.guru guides explain money without jargon and without selling products. They are grouped into 8 topics: personal finance, accounts and banks, cards and credit, saving and investing, business and capital, accounting and taxes, financial security and the economy. Each topic links to its articles and to a calculator so you can test your own case.

The 8 topics

Choose a topic and start learning

Each card takes you to the topic’s articles and to the calculator most often used with it.

Personal finance

Budgeting, debt, goals and habits so your money lasts all month.

Tool: Budget simulator
Browse articles →

Accounts and banks

Account types, costs, requirements, transfers and how to choose a bank.

Tool: Emergency fund calculator
Browse articles →

Cards and credit

How cards, minimum payments, interest and credit history work.

Tool: Cost of paying only the minimum
Browse articles →

Saving and investing

Saving, compound interest, term deposits and first steps in investing.

Tool: Compound interest calculator
Browse articles →

Business and capital

Cash flow, pricing, margins, working capital and financing for entrepreneurs.

Tool: Break-even calculator
Browse articles →

Accounting and taxes

RUC, VAT, RIMPE, withholdings and basic bookkeeping, with a focus on Ecuador.

Tool: Payment calendar
Browse articles →

Financial security

How to spot scams, protect your accounts and respond to fraud.

Tool: Visual bank statement glossary
Go to the security center →

Economy and data

Inflation, interest rates, GDP, dollarization and indicators explained without jargon.

Tool: Inflation calculator
Browse articles →
Quick route

What do you need to sort out today?

Tap an option and we’ll show you what to read first and which calculator to use next.

Latest

Latest guides by topic

01Lifestyle inflation: why doesn't your money go further even when you earn more?0213th and 14th month pay in Ecuador: how should you use them?03Good debt vs. bad debt: is there really a difference?04Buying vs. renting a home: what should you weigh up?
See all personal finance →
01Opening a bank account: what documents and details are usually required?02Deposit insurance: what is it and what does it cover?03Switching banks: how do you do it without hassle?04Dormant accounts: what happens if you don't use your bank account?
See all accounts and banks →
01Credit report: how do you read it section by section?02Your first credit card: what should you check before applying?03Credit limit increase: when should you accept it?04Credit application declined: what should you check and do?
See all cards and credit →
01Bonds: what are they and how do they work?02Investment funds: what are they and how do they work?03Retirement savings: why start early?04Fixed income vs. equities: what are the differences?
See all saving and investing →
01Fixed and variable business costs: how do you separate them?02Inventory turnover: what is it and how do you read it?03Business cash reserve: how much should you keep?04EBITDA: what is it and what is it used for?
See all business and capital →
01Bank reconciliation: what is it and how do you do it?02Asset depreciation: what is it and how does it affect a business?03Income statement: what is it and how do you read it?04Balance sheet: what is it and how do you read it?
See all accounting and taxes →
01Crypto and fake trading scams: how do you spot the misleading promise?02“Gota a gota” loans: why avoid them and what to do if you're already caught?03Online banking passwords: how do you create and protect them?04Money mules: why should you never lend your account?
See all financial security →
01Reference and maximum interest rates in Ecuador: where can you check them?02Country risk: what is it and why does it matter?03Dollarization in Ecuador: what is it and how does it affect your money?04Unemployment rate: what does it measure and how do you read it?
See all economy and data →
How we create the guides

Independent financial education

Plain language

We explain every concept with examples and no jargon, the way a friend who knows the subject would.

No product sales

We don’t charge to recommend banks or products. We give you criteria to compare.

Official sources

When we cite regulations, rates or requirements, we use official sources and say so.

Run your numbers

Each topic links to a free calculator so you can test your own figures.

Reference and educational information. Banco.guru is only a guide: it is not a bank and does not sell financial products. Data, examples and results are for reference only and are not real; they depend on the country, the financial institution, taxes and current laws. Always confirm your case with an authorized financial institution before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

Questions about the guides

What are the Banco.guru guides?
They are educational articles organized into 8 topics: personal finance, accounts and banks, cards and credit, saving and investing, business, accounting and taxes, financial security and the economy. They explain concepts with examples and link to free calculators so you can test your case.
Where do I start if I've never organized my finances?
Start with your budget. Read The 50/30/20 budget: how to apply it step by step, try the budget simulator and then build your emergency fund.
Do the guides recommend specific banks or products?
No. Banco.guru does not sell financial products or charge to recommend them. The guides explain how to compare and what to ask; you should confirm your final decision with an authorized financial institution.
Does the information apply to every country?
The concepts are general for Latin America, but rates, costs, taxes and requirements vary by country, institution and current law. When a topic is specific to Ecuador, the article says so.
How often are new guides published?
We publish new articles every day across the 8 topics. You can see the latest on the blog or go to the topic you're interested in from this page.

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