In December, as every year, 13th month bonuses will be credited to the accounts of employees and retirees. A total of 18.9 million workers and 16.1 million retirees will be entitled to Christmas bonuses, the total amount of which is about 43.8 billion this year. Thirteenth month bonuses represent a breath of fresh air, which will enable families to devote themselves, for those who can afford it, to Christmas shopping. As every year, however, a large part of the amounts will be eroded by the many December deadlines, as well as the unsustainable increase in prices of utility bills, mortgage and loan payments. According to the study by O.N.F. - Osservatorio Nazionale Federconsumatori, out of the 43.8 billion euros in thirteenth month payments, only 9.6 percent will remain in the pockets of families for gifts, lunches, dinners and possible trips. A large part of the amounts of thirteenth month payments will instead go to loans, mortgages and installments, the incidence of which is 29.2 percent. Behind the items related to mortgages and loans are the costs of utility bills, to which as much as 24.60 percent of the total amount will be allocated (in 2019 this percentage stopped at 22.2 percent). Another item with a significant weight is taxes (12.1%), car liability (14.8%) and price increases, which do not stop its course (this factor will affect as much as 9.7% of the thirteenth).