The coming of the “-ber” months connotes festivities and abundance. September is when we start getting old Christmas decors from our dusty boxes and begin playing “Jingle Bells” (and every other Christmas song on the planet). October is when we eagerly prepare for the Halloween costumes and parties. November is for All Saints Day and All Souls Day, days when we gather with our families to remember our dearly departed loved ones. And December (oh December!) is for festive Christmas parties, family reunions, and gift-giving.
The “-ber” months, and the long holiday break that comes with it, is also the season for vacations and trips both within and outside the Philippines.
As you know, festivities are made possible by that thing that makes the world go round: Money. Of course, money is a scarce resource for us mere mortals. But us mere mortals don’t (and won’t) let this little setback prevent us from basking in the “-ber” months’ merry-making. How do we prepare? Here are some hacks that are tested by time already, but have been updated for this tech-loving age.
Use your money wisely. Don’t set free from your wallet the 13th month pay you got just yet. To spend or to invest? That is the question. Plan your spending. If your company divides the dissemination of your 13th month pay between June and December, you probably spend the June chunk you get on your kid’s schooling. But, if you’re still single, you probably have more flexibility (Yay!). Just remember not to blow it in one go once you receive it. Think of the many possibilities this money can go. And if you think long enough, you’d know that it could actually go far.
To get more bang for your buck, make sure the buck truly serves you first and not retail establishments. It’s during this time of the year when even banks want to get a piece of your 13th month pie. Interest rates may be higher than usual. Or there may be freebies or benefits that will come together with your investment. Either way, this is a definite win for you because your money will grow. And depending on your investment goal, you can either gain more money in the future or gain more money for near-term goals, such as travels abroad, generous gift giving, and gadget-hunting. But of course, be sure to read the fine print when entrusting your hard-earned money in the bank.
Shop early, while being on the lookout for deals and bargains. Travels, parties, and gadgets to be given as gifts for yourself or for your loved ones can all be bought without breaking the bank. Planning your to-buy list keeps you focused on your cash flow. It also keeps you focused on what items to watch for when great deals and bargains come up, so you don’t end up buying indiscriminately. Remember, the “-ber” months is usually the peak shopping season for most people. Stretch that money far enough and you’ll feel that you have heaps of it.
Use technology to your shopping advantage. Our parents used to be at the mercy of print ads and coupons. If you’ve watched the show Extreme Couponing, you’d see how people like them would keep booklets upon booklets of coupons. But thank God that our generation gets a wider range of discount options as well as a wider range of access to these. Through mobile phones and laptops, you can easily search for bargains—minus the bulky coupon booklets!
Often, the news of bargains comes easily to us on our Facebook newsfeeds and emails. There are also a lot of websites offering irresistible online deals and discounts. Online vouchers and coupons for hotel accommodations and package deals for your trips, restaurant food discounts and party reservations for your family or group gatherings, and gadgets can be bought from such websites.
Online shops also periodically offer deals and discounts of their products. When you’re lucky, shipping comes free, too. So you save time braving heavy traffic and rains during the “-ber” months, when you’ve done your shopping online. All you have to do is wait ‘til your purchases arrive at your doorstep.
More serious bargain hunters aren’t satisfied with mere discounts. Some of them actually look for promo codes online to supplement the existing deals they find online. Again, these promo codes are also all over the Internet—all you have to do is search.
Armed with your precious bonus pay, your carefully planned to-buy list, and your focus on getting the best value for your money, you can prepare for the “-ber” months satisfactorily. You can take that much anticipated autumn/winter tour in your dream destination. Or you can buy your tech toys and threads to show off during the season’s festivities. At the same time, you won’t be left out in the season’s aura of abundance.
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This article was first published in our August 2015 issue.
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