The 13th Month Playbook: A Gift Guide to Your 13th-Month Pay

Mandated by Philippine law, this Christmas rush is one month’s basic salary, serving as a guaranteed year-end bonus for eligible employees.

Reality check

A big part of this windfall goes to holiday shopping and family gatherings. But with inflation, more Pinoys are rethinking this. We will always want to celebrate, but balancing holiday cheer with some forward-thinking choices could make all the difference as we head into a new year. 

Here’s a gift guide to making the gains from this hard-earned bonus last all year.

Surprise: Not everyone expects a gift from you!

For us Pinoys, Christmas means sharing and gift-giving. But being thoughtful doesn’t have to mean buying gifts for your whole contact list. This year, consider focusing on those truly special to you—family and close friends. A memorable meal, a heartfelt card, or a simple but meaningful gift can go a long way, often even more than expensive material items. 

Have you ever considered giving experiences as gifts?

Food Wanderer x Lakbay Museo offers an affordable yet awesome time inside the interactive museum while eating your way through the best Filipino food. Bring your best buddies or yearend balkbayans. If you can travel, this PHP 2,000/pax Sorsogon beach tour is one for the books – and the ‘gram.

Security and peace of mind: The gift that keeps on giving

You can also consider a gift that goes beyond vibes: insurance. Did you know you can actually purchase insurance plans online for you and your loved ones and even pay premiums on Gcash, aside from debit and credit card? Talk about convenience!? Here are some options for intangible but worthwhile gifts for those you care about. 

For yourself:

• Digital Set for Health is a comprehensive critical illness insurance plan. Covering 42 major and 9 minor critical illnesses, this plan allows you to claim up to 3 times for unrelated major illnesses. Plus, if you stay healthy until age 75, you'll get all your premiums back! 
• 3-in-1 Protection Bundle combines life, accident, and critical illness insurance in one comprehensive plan. For just PHP 5,397 per year (that's only PHP 15 per day!), get coverage until age 55, plus three reward benefits: medical consults, telemedicine, and global emergency services. Perfect for Filipinos aged 18 to 50, this plan ensures you and your loved ones are protected from life's uncertainties.

For your close ones, you only need their ID to purchase FWD The One and variants. Available for 18 years old up o 70 years old. Starting at just PHP 330 for the first year, this plan is both affordable and flexible:

• The One for life is a customizable insurance plan that adapts to your loved ones' needs. It includes life coverage with options to add benefits for accidental death and critical illnesses.
• The One for gamers is designed for a gamer's epic adventures. You can tailor the coverage with options for accidental death and critical illnesses, including exclusive Vision Express vouchers to keep their eyes sharp for gaming.
• The One for music lovers offers life coverage with options to add benefits for accidental death and critical illness. Protect your loved ones from life's unexpected highs and lows, including coverage for loss of hearing or speech, motor neuron disease, paralysis, and stroke. Plus, enjoy an exclusive Digital Walker voucher to celebrate their love for music!
• The One for mental wellbeing - In today's fast-paced world, mental health care is crucial. FWD The One for Mental Well-being is a customizable insurance plan offering life coverage with options for accidental death and critical illnesses. Enjoy a year of exclusive access to the ThoughtFullChat app for unlimited mental health coaching, live video therapy, and guided learning tools.

No ID? No problem, FWD KanGift is protection you can gift:

Gift those closest to you with FWD KanGift insurance gift vouchers! Choose one or all of the three plans: KanLive for life insurance, KanMend for critical illness coverage, and KanGuard for accidental death protection. Perfect for Filipinos aged 18 to 50, this thoughtful gift ensures peace of mind and financial protection. 

The gift of lower debt

Use part of your 13th-month pay to pay a big chunk of any high-interest debt. For example, paying down a PHP 50,000 credit card balance will save you thousands of pesos in interest, freeing up your budget for the new year. It’s a clean slate and peace of mind you’ll enjoy long after the season.

The gift of experience

For many of us, holiday breaks are the ideal time to travel, reconnect with family, and make lasting memories. But traveling doesn’t have to be costly. Plan a budget-friendly local getaway—around PHP 10,000 can be enough for a short trip within the Philippines. From booking early to finding affordable rooms, there are ways to make a family trip possible without overspending. Travel sites like Klook offer great discounts and promos which you can enjoy and share with your loved ones too.

The gift of being ready

Building up an emergency fund is a practical answer for life’s plot twists. Aim to set aside 20% or more of your 13th-month pay, toward saving enough for 3-6 months of expenses. This rainy-day fund gives you a bit more confidence and security, no matter what the future holds. To add even more protection, consider easy, affordable insurance products to serve as a backup for your savings.

Your 13th month pay isn’t just extra cash to spend. It also offers an opportunity towards financial freedom. By using it wisely, you can make the most of this year-end bonus for yourself and your family. Every choice can support a healthier financial future. With a little planning, you can start the new year with confidence and security.

As you budget your 13th-month pay, consider exploring insurance products designed to safeguard your savings, investments, and family’s future. These products can add an extra layer of security, letting you make the most of your money in the present while protecting against the unexpected. Give yourself a sense of security to carry you forward into the next year, smarter and more ready to live to the fullest.