The Aguinaldo, or the Christmas bonus, is one of the most awaited bonuses employees look forward to. This may also come in the form of the 13th month pay.
Some companies have already released the bonuses by now, and I hope you haven’t spent all of them yet! If you are looking for ideas on how to use it, here are some bright ideas for you to consider:
1. Invest in yourself
You’ve worked hard through the months and deserve to give back… to yourself. And what better way to do that than by investing in yourself? You can enroll in a course that you’ve been wanting to try to improve some skills, get a membership in a gym/fitness class, or maybe start a new hobby. Whatever it is that you think will increase your self-worth, go for it!
2. Pay off Debt
Getting a loan or debt is normal, for as long as you keep it within a healthy level. If you want to rid yourself of the mental baggage of having debt, then using part of your Christmas bonus to pay off all or part of your debt/s would be a bright idea. Remember though that most loans have pre-termination terms, so assess it first if it’d be smart to do so.
3. Give back (or pay it forward)
Christmas season, after all, is the season of giving. Why not spend part of your bonus giving back to a community, orphanage, or a foundation that resonates with you? You can join or organize a Christmas party for them, start a donation drive, give gifts, or whatever you think they would really appreciate—the sky’s the limit!
4. Protect yourself and your loved ones
One of the best gifts you can give is the gift of PEACE OF MIND—for yourself and for your loved ones. An insurance policy may not give an instant gratification, but the value it gives is beyond measure, and beyond lifetimes. Check in with your financial advisor so you can create a plan that you can start in line with your financial needs, whether it’s for health protection, income protection, life insurance, estate planning, retirement planning! With an insurance policy, you can enjoy life to the fullest with less worries!
5. Enjoy
Of course, there’s no denying, that we’d want to splurge…a little. And why not, right? After months of working so hard, you deserve it! Go ahead and meet with some friends, go on a vacation, treat your loved ones to a fancy dinner, set up a reunion, get that much-needed me-time over a spa or salon treatment, or whatever it is that your heart desires. Life is meant to be enjoyed, too, after all! Just make sure to enjoy responsibly!
6. Grow your money even more
Can’t think of anything else to do with your bonus? Why not set aside part of it and put it in an investment. A bank savings account is a good idea, but an even better idea is to make your money work even harder by investing them in more aggressive funds that would fit your needs, timeline, and risk appetite, as well as beat inflation. Invest in stocks, bonds, money market funds, etc. or a combination of them, directly or through mutual funds, and create a portfolio with your financial advisor!
Alternatively, if you have extra time in your hands, you can also start a sideline business, maybe a passion business, that you’ve been wanting to explore.
These are just some ideas that you can explore with your Christmas bonus. Let me know which these ideas resonate the most with you!
Advanced Merry Christmas!
---
Need to talk to a Financial Advisor?
Send me a message at lawreanne.e.sanico@sunlife.com.ph!
If you were part of one of our recent caravans, I will connect you to your resident advisor.
Comentarios