Your 12 Financial Tips Advent Calendar
- Yves Schoof
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Because your wallet deserves some holiday cheer, too. It’s the most wonderful (and let’s face it, chaotic) time of the year! Between decking the halls, buying gifts, and avoiding Mariah Carey for the 8th time today, it’s easy to lose track of your financial goals. But don’t worry, we’re here to sprinkle in some tidings of money management joy as you count down the days to Christmas.
Introducing your 12 Financial Tips Advent Calendar! No chocolate here (sorry, maybe next year), but these tips are designed to help you end the year strong and step into 2026 feeling like the financial rockstar you are. So, let’s unwrap these financial goodies, shall we?
Day 1: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
Forget toys that break by New Year’s or that trendy gadget nobody knew they needed. This year, think long-term: maybe a contribution to your kids’ education fund, a savings account, or an investment in their future. Trust us, it’s way better than socks with Santa faces on them.
Day 2: Make a Budget, Check it Twice
We know, budgeting sounds about as fun as untangling Christmas lights, but it’s a game-changer. Map out what you’ll spend on gifts, travel, and all those holiday treats so you can avoid starting the new year with a financial hangover.
Day 3: Put Your Savings on Auto-Pilot
Who has time to manually move money to a savings account during the holidays? Automating your savings and investments is like putting your finances on cruise control, set it and forget it (and watch it grow while you sip your eggnog).
Day 4: Reflect, Don’t Regret
Take five minutes to look back at your financial progress this year. Did you meet your goals? Did that impulse Peloton buy get more use as a coat rack? Celebrate your wins and recalibrate for next year.
Day 5: Say No to Impulse Buys
Holiday sales are everywhere, but just because it’s 50% off doesn’t mean you need it. Before you click “Add to Cart,” ask yourself: will this bring joy, or regret? Bonus tip: keep a glass of mulled wine in one hand while shopping online. It makes checkout decisions a little trickier.
Day 6: Go Big on Memories, Not Stuff
It’s true; gifts don’t have to come in boxes to be meaningful. Instead of more clutter, gift experiences: a cooking class, a weekend adventure, or tickets to a show. Memories don’t gather dust (unless you scrapbook, but we’ll leave that up to you).
Day 7: Don’t Forget About Future You
The end of the year is a great time to boost your superannuation or top up your retirement account. It’s like giving a gift to your future self, who, let’s be honest, deserves the world.
Day 8: Teach Your Kids the Money Basics
The holidays are full of teachable moments. Sit down with your kids and chat about saving, spending, and how Santa Claus uses Ethereum (just kidding). Financial literacy is the one lesson that’ll stick long after the wrapping paper is gone.
Day 9: Break Up With Unused Subscriptions
It’s the perfect time to Marie Kondo your digital life. Do your streaming platforms and gym memberships spark joy? If not, cancel them and free up cash for better things. Champagne fund, anyone?
Day 10: New Year, New Goals
Big financial dreams aren’t just for January resolutions. Start mapping out your money goals now so you can leave procrastination behind in 2025. House? Debt-free life? Yacht (hey, dream big)? Make a plan that gets you closer to it.
Day 11: Don't Let Debt Crash Your Holiday Party
If you’ve pulled out the credit card a few too many times this season, don’t panic. Create a post-holiday game plan to tackle debt before the interest piles up. Pro tip: wrap this into a January challenge, less coffee, more credit card payoff.
Day 12: Talk to a Pro
Sometimes the best gift you can give yourself is a little expert advice. Whether it’s setting up an investment strategy, planning for the kiddos’ futures, or budgeting for that dream vacation, chatting with a financial advisor can help you do it smarter.
Financial Joy for the Holidays (and Beyond)
This Christmas, give yourself and your family the gift that never goes out of season, financial freedom. Adopting these simple habits can turn this festive season into a launchpad for a stronger, more secure future. Even if some of these tips don’t make it into your 12-day countdown, just do what you can, because even baby steps can lead to life-changing growth.
We’re always here to help you strategise, plan, and make sure 2026 is your best year yet.