Over the past weeks, this community worked through a Christmas savings challenge. Now that Christmas is here, it’s time to pause and take stock. Not to judge. To learn. A few reflections to share, if you’re comfortable: • Did you manage to stick to the plan you set? • How much did you save specifically for Christmas? • How much did you actually spend? • What felt easier than expected? • What surprised you? One small but powerful habit I encourage you to do today or this week: ✍️ write down how much you spent on gifts. Even a simple list is enough. This becomes invaluable data for next year’s Christmas budget. Future you will thank present you. There are no right or wrong answers here. Progress counts more than perfection. Awareness beats avoidance every single time. Share your experience in the comments. Numbers are welcome, lessons even more so. This is how financial literacy becomes real: through reflection, not rules. Merry Christmas to you and your families

1) Max your retirement account. Wherever you live, there is usually a tax-advantaged way to save for your future. If you live in the United States, this means your 401(k).For 2025 the limit is $23,500. If you are 50 or older you can contribute an additional $7,500 as a catch-up. A 401(k) is different from an IRA. You cannot wait until April.Contribute before year end or lose the opportunity forever. This is often the simplest tax break you will ever get. If you live in Canada, your equivalent account is the RRSP. Contribution limits depend on your earned income and are published each year by the CRA. RRSP contributions reduce your taxable income and many employers offer group RRSPs that work like a 401(k). If you do not use your RRSP room, the unused amount carries forward. TFSAs are another tool. They do not give you a deduction today but your investment growth and withdrawals are tax free. If you live in Europe, most countries have an “integrative pension” option that gives either tax deductions today or tax advantages in retirement.Italy has the “previdenza complementare.”The UK has workplace pensions with auto-enrolment and tax relief on contributions.Germany has Riester and Rürup pensions.France has the PER (Plan d’Épargne Retraite).Spain has “planes de pensiones.”Check your local rules. In most cases, contributing before year end increases your tax benefit for the current year. Saving for retirement is universal. The structure changes by country. The principle stays the same. Use every legal advantage available to you. 2) Donate and receive tax benefits. This is true in many coutries. In the US, qualified charitable donations may reduce your taxable income, especially if you itemize deductions. In Canada, donations generate a federal and provincial credit. In most European countries, registered charities allow you to deduct part of your gift or receive a credit. Giving creates impact. It can also lower your tax bill. 3) If you are in the US, use your FSA before it expires.

If you invest 10K a year and your money grows at an average rate of 8% (the average return of a global diversified basket of stocks), you’ll reach 100K in about eight years. After that, the pace speeds up. The next 100K takes around FIVE years, then THREE, then TWO. Your money starts doing more of the work for you. Stay consistent. The first 100K is the toughest part. Once you get there, momentum and compounding begin to carry you forward. Your main task becomes staying committed. This journey isn’t just about reaching a number. It’s about learning to pay yourself first, building habits that give you stability, and proving to yourself that you can create your own sense of security. What is one small step you can take this week to move closer to that first 100K?

Dear members, This morning I noticed that a recently joined member began posting content related to his own niche. This sits outside the focus and purpose of the School of Money, which is meant to remain a safe. curated space for learning. Recently something else happened that I feel important to address. My Instagram educational profile was hacked. A copy of my account was created and used to lure people into a WhatsApp group that offered stock-picking tips. I would never provide stock tips. I strongly advise you never to follow anyone who does. This experience pushed me to take down my educational profile. As someone who works in the financial sector, the risk of identity misuse is simply too high. All of this is understandably concerning. I’m looking into how to restrict posting permissions for new members to keep this community safe. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Have a great weekend

Have you been following my Christmas Saving Challenge? (If not, they are all in "The Skool of Money" Community :) 🎄 Christmas Savings Challenge — Phase 3 (Dec 1–20) “Stay on Track. Spend on Purpose. Save with Confidence." You’ve built awareness in Phase 1. You practiced intentional spending in Phase 2. Now comes Phase 3, the one that carries you through the heart of the holiday season. This phase is all about protecting your budget, following through on your plan. and making sure your Christmas spending feels joyful instead of stressful. From December 1 to December 20, we shift into real-time execution. 1. Follow Your Christmas Budget in Real Time You already set your budget in Phase 2. Now it’s time to live it. For every holiday-related expense: • Write it down • Subtract it from your total budget • Track how much is left. This keeps you in control even when spending ramps up. 2. Use the 24-Hour Rule for Non-Essentials December is full of impulse triggers.Before buying any non-essential holiday item, pause for 24 hours. If it still feels aligned with your budget and your values the next day.... go for it.If not, you just saved money without feeling deprived. 3. Weekly Christmas Fund Check-In Every 7 days, ask three simple questions:• How much have I saved so far? • How much have I spent so far? • Am I on track? These micro check-ins prevent small slips from becoming budget blowouts. 4. One “No-Christmas-Spend Day” Each Week The holidays can become a blur of buying.Choose one day each week where you focus on everything except shopping. No browsing, no cart adding, no “just checking deals". ”Give your brain and your budget a rest." 5. Focus on Low-Cost. High-Meaning Traditions To protect both joy and money. intentionally add moments that cost little but feel rich: • A homemade cookie night• A walk to see lights • A family movie with hot chocolate • Writing gratitude notes This shifts the season from consumption to connection. 6. Keep Funding Your Weekly Christmas Savings Goal