The season brings lots of joy and happiness, but similarly with lots of expenses.
Most people may have received their 13th month pay and bonuses by now, and I just hope it will be spent wisely. Better yet, save a significant chunk and invest. This money signifies how hard you’ve worked for the entire year. For next year, let your money work harder for you. Save and Invest are two words I highly recommend to everyone.
Though, expenses during the Holidays can’t be avoided. All you have to do is be educated with all the options available and to know how to get the best deals in town.
If you have imbibed the habit of paying off your credit card in full every due date, I suggest you spend using your card and not cash. Using your credit card for christmas shopping allows you to earn points, rebates, rewards, which you dont get when you spend cash. Likewise, it is the season of pickpockets and thieves, so it is better and secured to bring a plastic card than bundles of cash. BDO Card offers 0% interest payable in 6 months for a minimum purchase of PHP5,000. This is a great deal. You earn points, and at the same time you get to postpone paying for big ticket purchases this Christmas. Just make sure you have enough cash to payout for whatever you purchased, with or without the 6-month grace period. Again, credit limit is not additional purchasing power. If you pay your due in full every month, then your credit card is working for you and not the other way around. Likewise, with the skyrocketing gas prices (more trips to the mall for shopping means more fuel consumption), it wont hurt if you use a credit card that gives 5% rebate for all your fuel purchases. That’s a good savings.
This is the season when you might want to explore the full potential of the internet. At this age and time, almost everything can be done in the internet; Online Shopping, Onlne Banking, Online Food Delivery, etc. Not that i dislike human interaction, but the internet offers great deals and savings. Buying things online means lesser trips to the mall, thus lesser expenses for gas, food and things you buy which you dont actually need, but because the sale is just so tempting. The season brings lots of bank transactions, so expect jampacked and long lines in banks. Good thing, online banking is here. Have you seen the long lines in restaurants and food chains lately? I just hate standing in line. Now, with the internet technology, everything is possible. Its saves you energy, money and gives you more time to do things you enjoy.
Merry Christmas to everyone, and may you spend your money wisely this holiday season.
Posted by artgamolo 