ADMIT it. You get too excited every time Christmas season approaches because of one good reason. Vacation? Maybe, but more of no. The 13th month pay or Christmas bonus? Yes.
Probably, some of you already received your bonuses earlier this month, and maybe it disappears like a bubble. Let’s blame what just happened to what we call “impulsive buying.”
Don’t worry, what you did is not a bad thing at all. But for those who are still yet to receive their 13th month pay, hold the rush, don’t be a one day-millionaire and read on.
Here are three smart things one should do with their Christmas bonuses:
Pay off debts
Be a Lannister (a Lannister always pays his debts). Your 13th month pay can be a good breather for a pike of debt bothering your head for months (or years). Get rid of your debts, whether that’s credit card debt, personal loans, amortization, or even borrowed cash from family and friends. Actually, you need not have to pay it in full, but definitely you can reduce it significantly.
There is no better way to start a new year and pave your road to financial freedom than freeing yourself from debt.
Save up!
Use your 13th month pay to save for the future because we all have no idea of what lies ahead, so better be prepared, especially financially.
Save now and open an emergency fund to protect yourselves and loved ones from whatever unforeseen circumstances like a critical illness, accidents, or disability and even job loss.
In saving using your 13th month pay, you can purchase a life insurance and start your very own retirement plan.
Invest
Saving is not enough to live a financially free life. Investment is key.
Investment can be in any form. One is starting a side business. It doesn’t have to be big at first, your bonus can be the perfect opportunity for you to finally start your business venture. It can be an online store, a new website, a food business, or even a sari-sari store. Again, it is okay to start small, it is up to you how you’ll work your way up to something big.
These three things are only smart suggestions one might want to consider in dealing with their much-awaited 13th month pay.
In the end, final decision still depends on you. So, how will you spend your bonus money? Be wise. ASP