And here we are. Another end of year magic.
The month of constant spending sprees.
The month of never-ending balancing between spending, partying, hosting and gifting coupled with a long list of dues – taxes of sorts, new year school fees, credit card balances, and the list is long.
December can also stand for many other things if you choose to do so.
I certainly find December a month of self-deliberation (to the point of morale self- beating) to pick up the new year from there.
Gifts for Yourself
For our financial wellbeing, this is the holy grail. To find what worked and what did not – what was excessive spending vs saving and investing. To assess how much of my savings were wisely invested and what needs to change – more savings? More investment? Less spending? It is not about math; it is about looking at ourselves in the mirror and liking (or not) what we see: assessing fixes, breaking barriers, setting borders, drawing goals and setting a horizon.
It always spices me up when I feel guilty for buying that gorgeous new dress. So over the years I have learnt a lesson: to always have a savings pot for my spontaneous “treat myself, feel-good” shopping sprees and for luxury gifts for my family and friends. Instead of spending cash from the -much - in demand - cash - current account I treat my - spoilt - self by leaning into my personal shopping spree pouch. Are you there with me too?
In fact, the magic of December, lies in “spending wallets” (add this tip to the to-do listfor next year). Saving is a self-discipline skill that needs practice again and again. Best practice is a piggy -bank – whether virtual or physical to throw in an amount every month.
There are features in your banking apps that help you save, the best tip is to create wallets for your 2026 plan (travelling, shopping, learning, home care, self-care) and prioritize accordingly. This is more about decluttering, detaching from guilt and financial pressure.
Lessons from Experts
Ariana Huffington the legendary entrepreneur, and founder of Thrive, a personal wellbeing platform, recently wrote about December. She proposes that December stands for: De-Clutter, De-Tach, De-Lete anything that De-Values your life. Don’t bring it into 2026.
What Ms. Huffington really proposes is to dedicate some of your holiday time to pause and think about what worked for you in this past year, what was effective, not destructive. Look at the patterns of your decision making and stick to those that prompted value creating results; and look at those patterns that prompted possibly more spontaneous decisions that did not serve the longer term.
Marie Kondo, the renowned Japanese organizing expert, became famous for her Kon Mari method which focuses on tidying up our personal space. It aligns with Ms. Huffington’s De-Clutter, De-tach suggestion for December. Kondo’s is another self- discipline exercise. It places focus on de-cluttering our home as carrying too much unused “stuff” in our cupboards and at home is “heavy” on our psyche.
Kondo’s method is transformative, I speak from experience, as my more intentional self is happier with “less is more” philosophy. That is to buy something new – whether a dress or a cooking pot – an old one needs to go out. I have stopped piling things that are not in use frequently. Try decluttering and you will see the difference in your mood, approach to life, relationships and choices.
Making Next Year Easier
Financial wellbeing begins with clarity (decluttering) and intention, focusing on what determines the present and the future. Setting goals, drawing a horizon for achieving them, and a self-awareness of how our thoughts affect our decisions and actions.
Take that notebook out and start writing – without self judgement – thoughts and actions that were good for you in 2025 – those that will carry you into 2026. Make it a year of personal and financial value. It is all in your magical hands. Happy intentional and self-aware New Year.