Consumer Education Program · Mendoza, Argentina

"12 installments,
no interest"
— but at what price?

An educational program that explains the real math behind Argentina's installment plans. Three sessions to understand what you're actually paying — before and after you sign.

We do not sell financial services or represent any bank or institution.

Why "no interest" rarely means free

In Argentina, installment promotions are everywhere — but the full picture rarely appears on the price tag. This program gives you the tools to read between the lines.

Person calculating installment plan costs at a desk with documents and a calculator
Session 1

The Price Gap You Didn't Notice

The cash price and the financed price are almost never the same. We explain why merchants and banks price differently — and how to calculate the real difference yourself using the Total Financial Cost (CFT) formula.

Cash price vs. financed price
What CFT (Costo Financiero Total) actually means
How to spot hidden financing in "free" plans

Nominal vs. Effective Rate

A 36% nominal annual rate and a 42% effective annual rate can describe the same plan. Understanding the difference prevents costly surprises.

02

Comparing Plans Across Banks

Not all 12-installment plans are equal. We teach a simple framework to compare offers from different banks side by side.

03

What Happens When You Fall Behind

Late payments on installment plans can trigger punitive interest and fees. We explain the mechanics clearly so you know what you're agreeing to.

Early Cancellation

Paying off early sounds smart — but does it always save money? We walk through the math of early cancellation across common plan types.

Three focused sessions

Each session builds on the previous one. You can attend all three or start with the topic most relevant to your situation.

Financial documents, bank statements and a pen spread across a wooden table
Session 1

Reading the Real Price

Cash price, financed price, and the CFT — how to decode any installment offer and understand what you're truly paying for a product.

Price difference mechanics
CFT formula explained
Real-world worked examples
Whiteboard with interest rate comparison charts and mathematical formulas drawn in marker
Session 2

Rates, Plans & Comparisons

Nominal annual rate, effective annual rate, monthly rate — and how to compare plans from Banco Nación, BBVA, Santander or any other institution on equal footing.

TNA vs TEA explained
Monthly rate conversion
Side-by-side plan comparison
Person reviewing overdue payment notices with stressed expression, papers and laptop on desk
Session 3

Delays & Early Payoff

What actually happens when a payment is late? What does early cancellation cost or save? This session covers the scenarios most consumers don't read about in advance.

Late payment mechanics
Punitive interest calculations
Early cancellation scenarios

The concepts that matter most

No financial background required. We explain each concept from first principles, using examples drawn from everyday purchases in Argentina.

Total Financial Cost (CFT)

The CFT is the single number that captures everything — rate, fees, charges — in one comparable figure. We teach you how to find it and use it.

Financed vs. Cash Price

Merchants often set the installment price higher than the cash price. We show you how to calculate the real markup and decide if it's worth it.

TNA vs. TEA

Nominal Annual Rate and Effective Annual Rate tell very different stories about the same loan. Understanding the conversion is key to accurate comparisons.

Cross-Bank Comparison

Different banks structure the same number of installments differently. We provide a clear methodology to compare any two offers on a level playing field.

Education, not advice

Polmadi is a consumer education initiative. Our goal is to explain financial mechanics clearly and accessibly — not to recommend products, banks, or decisions.

We do not represent any financial institution, bank, credit card company, or government agency. All content is informational and designed to help consumers understand publicly available financial information.

Independent & neutral. We have no commercial relationship with any bank, fintech, or retailer. Our only interest is clear financial education.
Small group of adults in an informal educational session, attentively listening to a presenter with documents in hand

Who this is for

Anyone who uses installment plans in Argentina — whether buying appliances, electronics, clothing, or anything else — and wants to understand what they're actually agreeing to.

Learn how we start

Reach us directly

Questions about the program, scheduling, or content? We're happy to respond.

Call Us
Available during business hours
Monday to Friday
+54 261 540-6900
Email Us
We respond to all inquiries
within one business day
info@polmadi.com
Visit Us
Rondeau 145
M5500 Mendoza, Argentina
Get directions