The Broad Consumer Price Index (IPCA), which measures the country's official inflation, increased 5.91% in 2013 - well above the 4.5% target. According to the Central Bank, the estimate for the IPCA is even higher this year: 6%. In this scenario of rising prices, FGV professors, Samy Dana and Luís Carlos Ewald, gave tips to organize the budget in 2014 and escape debt, in an interview with Época Negócios magazine.

According to Samy, consumers should always write down their earnings and expenses in order to identify which items are weighing more. Based on that, it is necessary to replace products and services that are more expensive. Drinking a coffee and eating a snack in the afternoon is a habit that may leave you with no money. I'm not saying you should not do this anymore, but you must write it down and rethink expenses, said the professor, who also believes in setting budget targets.

Whereas Luís Carlos Ewald, also known as Sr. Dinheiro (Mr. Money), points out the importance of avoiding debt in this inflation scenario and advises Brazilians to abandon any property purchase plan. The real state crisis is already happening. Many people bought property as an investment, and now that it is completed they have no money to pay for the financing and cannot sell it as well, he explained to the magazine.

Ewald also recommends carpooling - taking a ride with neighbors or relatives, besides having more meals at home. It's much cheaper than going out for dinner, he concludes.