{"id":8627,"date":"2018-12-12T11:57:05","date_gmt":"2018-12-12T09:57:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bmkedev.wpengine.com\/?p=8627"},"modified":"2021-12-20T15:24:52","modified_gmt":"2021-12-20T13:24:52","slug":"end-year-bonus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus","title":{"rendered":"Smart Ways to Spend your End-Year Bonus"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>December is here, good tidings have come your way in the promise of the end year bonus and you are elated. You are in good cheer and your mind is racing with all the endless possibilities ahead of you in the festive season. You are also aware that the festivities are short-lived and that January will come knocking soon, bringing with it the harsh realities of momentary lack and glaring responsibilities. You want to be cautious and avoid lamentable mistakes that will leave you regretting bitterly next year. Read on; the pointers below might just be the advice you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_81 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f4b620cde91\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"ez-toc-cssicon\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f4b620cde91\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Plan_Ahead\" >Plan Ahead<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Give_to_the_Needy\" >Give to the Needy<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Invest_in_Your_Career\" >Invest in Your Career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Save_for_the_Proverbial_Rainy_Day\" >Save for the Proverbial Rainy Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Pay_Off_Bad_Debts\" >Pay Off Bad Debts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/end-year-bonus\/#Treat_Yourself_to_Little_Pleasures\" >Treat Yourself to Little Pleasures<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Plan_Ahead\"><\/span>Plan Ahead<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8629\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630.jpg\" alt=\"en\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630-378x198.jpg 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630-770x404.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630-600x315.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Plan-ahead_1200by630-390x205.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nothing is as damaging as excess resources with no particular beneficial use. When the last coin is spent regret checks in in equal abundance. The human resource department in your company must have explained in detail the benefits owed to you and that the 13<sup>th<\/sup> month bonus was among them. This means you have had time to think about it and visualize what you could do with this amount. Therefore, you should have planned for it to the last coin. Sober planning prevents poor judgement, impulsive action and uncontrollable spending, all traits that come alive during this extended holiday season. Where possible set goals and budget your bonus to spread across these goals in reasonable percentages.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Give_to_the_Needy\"><\/span>Give to the Needy<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Even in your rush to celebrate and have a good time, take time to remember the needy members of the society who are not as fortunate. There are so many places you could spread the merry cheer around. You only need to look closely. You could visit an orphanage and deliver food items, clothes and toys; you could visit a hospital and encourage the sick; you can even visit a prison and help spread cheer. Acts like these bring you closer to your own humanity and give you a clearer understanding of what the festive season is truly about.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Invest_in_Your_Career\"><\/span>Invest in Your Career<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>After taking stock of your career progress the past year, you might have realized that you need to up-skill to get to where you want to be professionally. Your end-year bonus could be a good opportunity for you to invest in professional courses. You can plan for this as a new year resolution for your career.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Save_for_the_Proverbial_Rainy_Day\"><\/span>Save for the Proverbial Rainy Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8631\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2.jpg\" alt=\"end year bonus\" width=\"1200\" height=\"627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2-378x198.jpg 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2-770x402.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2-600x315.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/land-myths-2-390x204.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You do not need a class on the unpredictable nature of life. You have experienced some of the biting lessons or heard how life suddenly took a turn for the worse for someone you knew and how they were caught completely unprepared. You vowed to do something to avoid such a pitfall. To date you are still vowing. This is the opportune time to take the next step. Advance in technology and systems provide myriad saving alternatives from banks to Saccos and other groups. Do your research and start saving in a scheme that best suits your interests. This might also be the time to get insurance for your assets, health, family and life. Do not let the unpredictable wave of life catch you flat-footed when you can sacrifice something small right now to safeguard yourself.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Pay_Off_Bad_Debts\"><\/span>Pay Off Bad Debts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8628\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB.jpg\" alt=\"end-year bonus\" width=\"1200\" height=\"627\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB-378x198.jpg 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB-1024x535.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB-770x402.jpg 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB-600x315.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/buying-land-FB-390x204.jpg 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Nothing beats the feeling of starting a new year on a clean slate financially. Debts are shackles that hold you back from achieving many goals in life. You can set aside a certain percentage of your end year bonus to pay off small debts or significantly reduce larger debts. This will help you plan for money coming in the future to invest in more personal development projects. Also, you will be stepping into the new year on a clean financial slate, or a cleaner one when compared to the previous year.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Treat_Yourself_to_Little_Pleasures\"><\/span>Treat Yourself to Little Pleasures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-8630\" src=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42.png\" alt=\"end year bonus\" width=\"1200\" height=\"630\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42-378x198.png 378w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42-1024x538.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42-770x404.png 770w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42-600x315.png 600w, https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Untitled-design-42-390x205.png 390w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Do not forget to treat yourself, the emphasis here being in moderation. Budget a portion of the bonus to reward yourself for a good job done throughout the year. Do something you enjoy. You can start a new hobby or take a new course. It is at this part of the year when most people have the most personal time in their hands.You can also treat your family and close friends to a day or evening out and spend quality time with the people who matter in your life.<\/p>\n<p>The end-year bonus comes once a year. You can usher in the New Year with exciting memories and a tinge of regrets about the year you closed with a bang; or you can still have fun and see growth in your personal life as a result of spending your bonus prudently.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You can usher in the new year with exciting memories &#038; a tinge of regrets,or you can have fun &#038; see growth in your personal life as a result of spending wisely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12,"featured_media":8637,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[409,407,408],"content_author":[],"class_list":["post-8627","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-career-development","tag-end-year-bonus","tag-festive-season","tag-new-year"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8627","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=8627"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8627\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8637"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=8627"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=8627"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=8627"},{"taxonomy":"content_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.brightermonday.co.ke\/discover\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_author?post=8627"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}