Celebrating the Holidays Without Breaking the Bank. A 2025 Reflection & Big Plans for 2026

The holiday season is here, bringing warmth, twinkling lights, and the joy of gathering with loved ones. But let's be honest: it also brings the pressure to spend, spend, spend.

Here's the good news: celebrating doesn't have to drain your bank account. In fact, the most meaningful holidays often have little to do with how much we spend and everything to do with how intentional we are with our time, energy, and yes, our money.

As we close out 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I want to reflect on this incredible year, share practical ways to celebrate smartly, and extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who's been part of The Money Wise community.

In the cozy glow of holiday lights, friends gather around a gift-laden table, reflecting on the past year of 2025 and eagerly discussing their big plans for 2026. Smart gifting is about choosing presents that are thoughtful, meaningful, and considerate of the recipient's interests and needs.

How to Celebrate the Holidays and Actually Save Money

Let’s start with what matters most right now: enjoying this season without the dreaded January credit card hangover.

Set a Holiday Spending Limit and Stick to It

Before you shop, scroll, or swipe, decide on a realistic budget for gifts, food, travel, and entertainment. Write it down. Share it with your partner or accountability buddy.

Pro tip: Use the Budget Calculator in our Money Tools Hub to plan your holiday spending category by category.

Give from the Heart, Not the Mall

Some of the most cherished gifts aren't bought; they're made, shared, or experienced. Consider these heartfelt options:

• Homemade baked goods or a personalized playlist

• A handwritten letter expressing gratitude

• An IOU for a coffee date, dog walk, or help with a project

• Framed photos of meaningful memories

  
  

These gifts cost pennies but carry priceless emotional value.

Shop Smarter, Not Harder

If you do shop, be strategic:

• Compare prices using browser extensions or apps

• Buy secondhand or shop local small businesses (bonus: support your community!)

• Wait 24 hours before purchasing non-essentials to avoid impulse buys

• Use cash or debit to stay within your spending limit

• Remember: that Black Friday "deal" isn't a deal if you weren't planning to buy it anyway

  
  

Host Gatherings Without the Financial Stress

Holiday hosting can get expensive fast. Keep it simple:

• Potluck-style dinners where everyone brings a dish

• DIY decor using items you already have (think mason jars, string lights, candles)

• Plan free or low-cost activities: board games, movie marathons, or neighbourhood light tours

  
  

The goal isn't perfection; it's connection.

Remember What the Season Is Really About

Gratitude. Connection. Rest. Reflection.

When we shift our focus from things to moments, the holidays become less about what we spend and more about what we share. And that's when the magic happens.

Embrace the art of smart gifting: thoughtful presents that bring joy without breaking the bank.

Reflecting on 2025: A Year I'll Never Forget

What a year this has been!

When I started writing my first blog post in March 2025, I had no idea where this journey would take me. All I knew was that I had something I wanted to share and a mission I believed in with my whole heart.

The Journey Before the Launch

By the time I officially launched themoneywise.ca on September 15, 2025, I had already been creating content for six months.

30+ blog posts. Written during early mornings, late nights, and stolen moments throughout the day. Each one crafted with the goal of making personal finance accessible, practical, and empowering for everyday Canadians.

I wrote about budgeting strategies, financial literacy basics, smart shopping tips for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, tools to simplify money management, and how to navigate taxes, savings, and planning.

And I did it all before the official launch because I wanted to have a strong foundation ready—a library of resources people could actually use from day one.

What We Built Together in 2025

Since March, here's what we accomplished:

✅ Published 30+ blog posts across 12+ categories: Budgeting, Financial Literacy, Investing, Taxes & Planning, Savings, Financial Tools, Holidays, Small Businesses, Economy, and more.

✅ Officially launched themoneywise.ca on September 15, 2025: A complete resource hub for financial empowerment.

✅ Created the Money Tools Hub: Free calculators to help you budget, save, plan, and take control.

✅ Built a Digital Vault: Customizable templates, checklists, and guides to simplify your financial life.

✅ Established 12+ blog categories: Covering everything from mindset to investing.

✅ Connected with hundreds of Canadians through the website, social media (@themoneywise.ca), and direct conversations.

✅ Published timely, actionable content: Black Friday guides, Cyber Monday tips, year-end financial planning strategies.

Every single comment, share, DM, and email reminded me why I started this in the first place.

Why I Do This: My Purpose

Let me be real with you: I didn't launch The Money Wise to get rich or become some Instagram finance influencer.

I started this because I've been there. I've felt the anxiety of living paycheque to paycheque. I've juggled side hustles while working a full-time job. I've made financial mistakes. I've struggled to understand taxes, budgeting, and investing. And I know how overwhelming it feels when you want to do better with money but don't know where to start.

My mission is simple: to empower millennials and side hustlers to take control of their finances without the jargon, judgment, or gatekeeping.

Here's the thing: our generation faces unique financial challenges. We're navigating student debt, rising housing costs, gig economy income, and trying to build wealth in a completely different economic landscape than our parents did. And if you're running a side hustle? You're dealing with irregular income, tax complexity, and the mental load of managing multiple revenue streams.

You need financial guidance that gets it. That speaks your language. That understands you're not just trying to save pennies; you're trying to build a life.

Whether you're a millennial figuring out how to be an adult with money, a side hustler managing multiple income streams, or any Canadian who wants to take control of their finances, you belong here.

That's why I wrote 30+ blog posts before the official launch. That's why I built free tools. That's why I answer every question, respond to every message, and show up consistently even when it's hard.

Because your financial confidence matters. And you deserve resources that actually help.

Anticipating the future with festive joy and excitement, as we prepare for the wonders of 2026 and celebrate the achievements of 2025.

Looking Ahead to 2026 — Let's Get Specific

As proud as I am of what we've built in 2025, I'm even more excited about what's ahead.

What's Coming in 2026

I'm excited (and honestly a little nervous) to share what I'm working on for 2026.

Here's what's ahead:

📝 Consistent weekly blog content — Covering side hustle taxes, budgeting for irregular income, millennial money strategies, and Canadian-specific financial topics.

🧮 New Money Tools — Including a side hustle tax calculator, irregular income planner, and freelancer rate calculator.

💼 Expanded services:

• 1-on-1 financial coaching (limited spots available)

• Tax filing services for individuals, self-employed, and freelancers

• Financial consulting tailored to your unique situation

  
  

📥 Digital products — Practical templates, guides, and workbooks you can use right away.

👥 Community building — Virtual workshops, Q&A sessions, and a space to connect with other millennials and side hustlers.

🎥 Video content — Bringing financial education to YouTube and other platforms.

My goal? To be your trusted resource for financial empowerment. Whether you're managing a side hustle, navigating taxes, building a budget, or simply trying to make smarter money decisions.

A Heartfelt Thank You 💙

To everyone who has visited the website, read a blog post, used a calculator, shared content on social media, sent an encouraging message, or simply believed in this mission, thank you.

To my fellow millennials trying to figure out this whole "adulting with money" thing, thank you for being vulnerable, asking questions, and choosing to learn.

To the side hustlers juggling multiple gigs, irregular income, and big dreams, thank you for inspiring me every single day with your hustle and resilience.

To the early supporters who were here when I was still figuring it all out, thank you for giving me the confidence to keep going.

Thank you for trusting me to be part of your financial journey. Thank you for your questions, your feedback, and your support. Thank you for every DM that started with "I have a dumb question..." (there are NO dumb questions, by the way). Thank you for choosing to take control of your money. Thank you for being here in the early days. Thank you for every like, share, comment, and conversation.

This community — you — are the reason I keep going.

This is just the beginning. And I'm so grateful you're here for it.

Janeth, a visionary financial coach, toasts to a prosperous 2025 while looking forward to a year of smart investments and wise decisions in 2026.

Your Holiday Challenge: Celebrate Intentionally

As we wrap up 2025, I'm challenging you to celebrate this season intentionally:

1. Set your holiday budget — Know your limits before you spend.

2. Focus on experiences, not things — Memories > stuff, always.

3. Give from the heart — Thoughtful beats expensive every time.

4. Reflect on your 2025 wins — What did you accomplish financially this year? Celebrate it!

5. Set one financial goal for January 2026 — Start the new year with clear intention.

   
   

And remember: the best gift you can give yourself is financial peace of mind.

Let's Get Money-Wise Together in 2026

Here's to a holiday season filled with joy, gratitude, and smart money choices. Here's to closing out 2025 with intention and pride. And here's to a 2026 where we continue building financial confidence, breaking down barriers, and empowering each other — one step at a time.

Let's make your money work harder — join us.

💙 Happy Holidays from The Money Wise

Janeth Founder, The Money Wise www.themoneywise.ca | @themoneywise.ca | hello@themoneywise.ca

Ready to Take Control in 2026?

🧮 Explore our Money Tools Hub
— Free calculators to plan, budget, and save.

📥 Check out the Digital Vault
— Templates and guides to simplify your finances.

📝 Browse our Blog Archive
— 30+ articles covering budgeting, investing, taxes, savings, and more.

📧 Subscribe to our newsletter — Get weekly tips, tools, and strategies delivered to your inbox.

Let's make 2026 your most financially confident year yet.

Janeth, the financial coach and founder of The Money Wise, expresses her gratitude to clients, aiming for 2026 to be their most financially confident year yet, as symbolized by the vibrant imagery of growth and prosperity. Thank you!