When you start seeing the colorful lights strewn along the streets and hearing the heartstring-tugging ballad “Pasko Na, Sinta Ko” piped over the department store pa systems, you know the Christmas season is just around the corner—which also means the arrival of your long-awaited 13th month pay that’s just begging to be spent!
While the thought of Christmas shopping during these recession-stricken times may be a bit of a downer, it’s no good letting that put a damper on your festive mood for long. With just a few weeks before the holidays, it’s time you consider how you’ll be spending your hard-earned money this year.
Here’s what some of you had to say.
"I’ll spend my 13th month pay, hopefully, on a trip abroad—because I didn’t get a chance to enjoy my freedom after college. Hopefully!” – Mica, 22
“A good pair of work shoes for next year.” – Trina, 29
“I spent it to buy a new gadget I’ve been saving up for for months already!” – Chally, 21, marketing executive
“An iMac or MacBook Pro.” – Raul, 40, sub-editor
“Well, after a whole year of doing field work, a nice relaxing foot spa and eating out at resto after resto will definitely take all my pagod away. ‘Pag may sobra pa, [I will spend it on] a new DSLR Nikon.” – Randy, 32, category sales specialist
“BOOKS!” – Aldrin, 24, hardware design engineer
“Christmas gifts for everyone and myself.” – Ysa, 22, sales executive
“A new puppy.” – Crystal, 27
“I will put it in my savings account towards my ‘bring Natalia back to Pinas’ funds.” – Natalia, 27, living in the US
“50% [of my 13th month pay] kay mother—it’s up to her how she wish[es] to spend it. 20% contingency budget ko sa Singapore and Kuala Lumpur vacation ko sa January and 30% for a DSLR camera. Gastador.” – Resty, 34, treasurer
“I saved it!” – Clar, 22
“Presents for family and friends.” – Zerge, 23
“Gifts and beer.” – Gino, 28, marketing officer
“Ipambabayad ko ng tuition.” – Marivic, 41, store manager
“It was released early, and it went to relief efforts.” – Ria, 33, world observer
“Won’t spend it. It’s going straight to the bank for when I resign or someday decide to spend it on something worth buying/investing in.” – Sheila, 31, trial lawyer
“I already spent it on shopping. I will treat my family with what’s left.” – Marika, 21, management trainee
“Paid off my two credit cards!” – Dette, 32, loan officer
“I’ll use it to pay for bills, bills and more bills! I might splurge on winter clothes and boots, scarves and beanies too!” – Nina, 32, sales associate
“My 13th month pay will go to Jonathan Safran Foer’s books and to my hairdresser for a major haircut session.” – Kath, 21
“I [can't] decide what to do with my 13th month pay. I am torn [between] the idea of renovating our 36 sq/m home or buying a larger tv or buying a personal computer (this is mainly because of Facebook, Farmville & Cafe World addiction... hehe!) But what i really want to do (if my selfishness gives way and if my boss have a change of heart and give us a bonus *crosses fingers*) is to share my 13th month [pay with] my less fortunate cousin with their family and some of my relatives. I might give them basket of goodies (kahit mura lang) in time for media noche and gifts to my little pamangkins. Malamang, mapupunta lahat sa pang regalo kita ko.” – Donna Rose, 31, graphic artist
How will you spend your 13th month pay? Let us know in the comments section or talk it up with other GIRLTalkers on our forum!
