Reader.

Today is January 25th, which holds a special significance for two reasons.

First, if you have Scottish heritage (or just enjoy haggis), it is Robbie Burns Day. The poet is famous for writing: "The best laid schemes o' mice an' men (The best-laid plans often go awry).

Second, and perhaps more painfully... this is the week the Ghost of Christmas Past arrives in your mailbox.

For most people, the credit card statement covering December 15th to January 15th lands right about now. It is the moment when Best Laid Plans meet the reality of holiday spending.

So, this week, we are stripping away the hype. I’m going to show you the scary reality of debt across the country, and then I’m going to open my own books to show you exactly what my passive income rental actually made in 2025 (Spoiler: It wasn't as much as you think).

Let’s look at the numbers.

The "Sea of Red"

If you opened a bill this week that made you wince, you are not alone.

We often talk about Net Worth, but we rarely talk about the drag on that net worth. This map shows the current state of consumer debt, and it is flashing red.

• The typical 🇺🇸 household is now carrying a balance of $6,501.
• At an average APR of ~22%, carrying that balance costs you roughly $1,400 a year in interest alone. That is a vacation, a course, or a massive investment contribution, vanished.
• My friends in the North 🇨🇦 aren't safe either. The average Canadian consumer debt (excluding mortgages) has climbed over $21,000, with credit card delinquency rates ticking up.

If you are staring at a balance today, don't just pay the minimum.

1. Put the card on ice. Switch to debit for February.
2. Choose the Avalanche Method (highest interest rate first) or the Snowball Method (smallest balance first).

Just pick one and attack it.

My 2025 Airbnb "Wrapped"

I talk a lot about Real Estate as a wealth builder, but I promised you transparency. I don't just share the wins; I share the receipts.

Here is the raw data from my Airbnb earnings for 2025.​

The 2025 Scorecard:

• Total Earnings (gross): $7,274.03 CAD
• Total Nights Booked: 81
• Average Stay: 2.6 nights

If you look at social media, you’d think every Airbnb owner is making $10k a month.

• We had solid months in June ($1,303) and September ($1,289).
• Look at January and February, we made $0.00.
• This was a strategic choice. We faced slow seasons and started prepping for the massive renovation we are in right now.

The cash flow is nice, but here is the real secret: I claim every single cent of this income on my tax filings.

Why would I want to pay taxes on it?

Running a legitimate rental business allows me to deduct a portion of my household expenses (mortgage interest, property tax, utilities, insurance) against that income.

• It effectively lowers my personal cost of living.
• Real Estate isn't just about the cash that hits your bank account; it's about the tax efficiency that keeps it there.

You can read more about the 2025 Year in Review​

The "Money Pit" Update: The $20k Reality Check

Speaking of where the money goes... we hit a massive milestone this week.

The entire house has been painted (finally!), and the washer and dryer have been delivered.

We called in reinforcements.

My parents came over to help us tackle the deep cleaning.

We scrubbed bathrooms that probably hadn’t seen a deep clean in years. (True glamour).

Current Status:

• Floors: 95% Done. Just a short portion of the staircase left to tackle.
• Kitchen: Katie is currently tackling the backsplash.
• Safety: New smoke/CO2 alarms are installed.
• To-Do List: New lighting goes in next, followed by the bathroom faucet and the main floor sink.

We originally budgeted $15,000 for this turnover.

Current projection?

Closer to $20,000.

Why the jump?

1. In renovations, you always find more issues the deeper you dig.
2. We decided to add touches we didn't technically have to do.

But our philosophy is simple:

We want to provide housing to the community that we could see ourselves living in.

If we wouldn't live there, we won't rent it. That costs a bit more upfront, but I believe it pays off in better tenants and long-term respect for the property.

Final Video Reveal Will Be Posted Next Week

The Tools to Fix the Plan

Whether you need to tackle that credit card bill or calculate your own rental numbers, stop doing mental math.

I built these three free calculators to help you get back on track for 2026:

1. Find out exactly how much you need to retire on your terms. Calculate Your Freedom Number​
2. Should you pay off that credit card or invest? (Hint: If it's a credit card, the answer is almost always pay the debt). Solve the Debt vs. Invest Debate​
3. See how cutting one small expense today compounds over time. See the Power of Compounding​

The best-laid plans might go awry (like my $15k renovation budget), but that doesn't mean you scrap the mission.

If January was a tough financial month, February is your fresh start.

Clean up the debt, reinvest the income (even if it costs a little more than expected), and keep moving forward.

​
Robin Valadares

​@financiallyfulfilledpro and Certified Financial Counsellor CFC™

​​​​​

Do you get value from these weekly emails?​
​America doesn't run on Dunkin, I run (walk) on coffee, keep me fueled up to keep writing by buying me a cup of coffee.
​
Share this email newsletter with a friend, colleague, or someone you think would benefit. You'll put a smile on my face knowing that this material will reach more people, and your friends, family, and colleagues will learn more about their financial situation and future!
​
Use this link to share: https://financiallyfulfilledphysio.ck.page/profile​