It’s that time of the year again when employees are treated to a much-deserved 13th month pay. Now don’t just go throwing your hard-earned money away by splurging on things that later prove to be useless. Do not fall for the promotions designed to lure you in with what appears to be reasonable prices. These items often end up contributing to the clutter at home, instead of adding value to your life. You can avoid this by planning what you will spend on with your 13th month pay well before you receive it. From making your dream condo living come true to creating just the image to land your dream career, there is much you can do with the lump sum amount. Consider the following suggestions.
Take a trip
It’s true what they say, experiences do a better job of making us happy than material things. So go ahead and make your dream trip happen. Traveling has enormous benefits, including broadening your horizons, boosting your self-confidence, enhancing your tolerance for uncertainty, earning real-life education, and creating memories that can last a lifetime. Make sure you land the best deals for flights and accommodations so you’ll have more money to spend once you get to your destination. Book your flights and accommodations in advance to save up to 30% to 40% off of the rates. You may also consider package tours, as they help you save more. Bundled airfare and hotel packages can be a real steal.
Buy a high performance laptop
A good laptop can help you get ahead both professionally and personally. For one, a high performance laptop with cutting edge features can provide a true boost to your productivity. There’s nothing like a fast machine to help you speed up your work. You also get to spare yourself the frustration slow laptops can inflict. This means less stress for you. Factor in ergonomics, size, and weight, and you have yourself the best “assistant” you can have. A laptop that fits your needs is definitely worth the splurge. And if you use it to earn money, it’s an investment worth every penny.
Get a luxurious gift for yourself
Sometimes, it’s worth buying yourself a luxurious item simply because you deserve it. Don’t beat yourself up for wanting that gadget or flat screen TV you don’t really need. You work a little too hard, and deserve to get what you want (so long as you don’t overdo it, of course). So go ahead and indulge yourself. Just make sure you take advantage of holiday deals so you still have money left for the things that truly matter. Besides, it always pays to get the most value for your hard-earned money.
Put together a new wardrobe
If you have big plans for yourself, it may pay to look the part first. If you have been working on a big career leap, investing in a wardrobe that would fit the new role you’d like to fill can be a worthy investment. Just make sure you shop for the best deals, and that you buy pieces that you can easily mix and match. Investing in a new wardrobe can be an important factor in your metamorphosis, say, you’d like to be less of a girl and more like a solid, grounded woman. Go get them, girl, I mean woman.
Buy a new mattress
Do not make the common mistake of downplaying the importance of having a good bed mattress. You spend a third of your lifetime sleeping. That’s a lot of time spent on your bed. It matters that the space you sleep on contributes to your health, and does not cause your body any unduly harm. You also have to consider the fact that the quality of sleep you get affects your performance during the other two-thirds of your life. All things considered, investing in a good mattress can be life-changing. Do your research, and make sure you choose a mattress that matches your unique needs. Luckily, you are sure to find the best match for you, with everything from medium-firm to adaptive memory foams offered in the market.
Make yourself comfortable with good sheets
Your bed is so much more than just a place for you to sleep, it is also your sick bed, your safe haven, your sexy place, and your much-needed sanctuary. It is where you curl up after a long day, the place where you chill and watch Netflix, and the space where you allow yourself to cry your heart out after a painful experience. Make sure you afford yourself some comfort through it all. Sure, nice sheets with higher thread counts can be pricey but you are well worth the splurge. Do not skimp on yourself. No one should take better care of you than you yourself.
Buy a good pair of shoes
Whether you like it or not, well-heeled people do inspire more respect. And sometimes you have to take this literally. Investing in a good pair of shoes can go a long way in boosting your confidence and in creating a good impression. This is especially true if you are operating in the high-brow corporate world. So don’t feel bad about dropping some serious dough for a good pair of shoes. This holiday season, shop around for a pair of high quality shoes that you can wear on various occasions. Black pumps, for one, can easily take you from the office to a dinner date. Make sure you find a pair that provides the perfect balance between comfort and style. The price won’t matter so much when you’ve found the perfect pair, for one simply can’t skimp on the thing that separates you from the ground.
Invest in a new place
This holiday season may be just the right time to turn one of your biggest dreams into reality — living indepently. With condo units now made more affordable and accessible, there is practically no reason why you can’t have your own home if you are earning reasonable income. Take everything into account when planning for this investment. Note that condominiums are often located in strategic areas, so you are likely to find a property near your place of work. This means that you get to cut down on transportation expenses. You can then use the extra savings to augment your budget for monthly amortization. A home closer to work also means extra time saved, which you can use to earn on the side or simply spend more time with your family (which is priceless!). Living in a condo also means you get access to amenities like fitness centers, swimming pools, and walking paths. That, again, means extra savings for you, not to mention a higher quality of life.
You have been working hard all year long. May your 13th month pay serve as a testament of all the sweat and time you devoted to your job. Now don’t just see it go to waste. Spend it on things worth every penny. Enjoy the holidays!
