Hey Reader,

The tree is up, the clinic is winding down, and if you are anything like me, you are currently fueled by 90% caffeine and 10% holiday panic.

This is my last email before the holiday festivities kick into high gear. While I’ll be back in your inbox on December 28th to help you prep for the New Year, I wanted to send you off into the holiday weekend with two fascinating charts, a "dusty" life update, and a massive high-five.

Let’s dive in before the eggnog flows. By the way, who the heck enjoys eggnog?

The "K-Shaped" Piggy Bank

We often hear that "Canadians are saving less," but that is a lazy headline. The reality is much starker.

I came across this chart tracking Net Savings by Household Percentile, and it stops you in your tracks.

• We are seeing a massive divergence. The Top 20% of households (the blue line) are saving nearly $80,000 annually as of 2024, benefiting from high interest rates and investment returns.
• Meanwhile, the Bottom 60% (the yellow, green, and white lines) are in negative territory, meaning they are actively raiding their savings or taking on debt just to cover daily costs.
• If you feel like it's harder to get ahead despite working hard, you aren't crazy, you are fighting a systemic current. This is exactly why we spent the last few weeks talking about "Purchasing Power" and "Geo-Arbitrage." In 2026, we need to focus on moving you up those trend lines.

The "Streamflation" Trap (Check Your Subs!)

Since most of us plan to spend the next week in a vegetative state watching holiday movies, we need to talk about the cost of that relaxation.

We know inflation (through government metrics) has been roughly 17% since 2021 for regular goods (I'd argue it's almost double that rate). But for streaming? It’s a different beast.

Welcome to "Streamflation." The average price of streaming platforms has risen by 90% since 2021.

• Apple TV+ has hiked prices by a staggering 150%.
• Crave is up 120% and Disney+ is up 111%.
• Surprisingly, Netflix has "only" risen 35.7%.

Do a "Digital Declutter." If you are paying for Apple TV+, Disney+, AND Crave, you are paying double what you were a few years ago. Pick one for the holidays, cancel the rest, and rotate them.

🔨 The "Money Pit" Update: Before & After

And now, for the real reality show: The Renovation.

We My contractor, Derek, officially started tearing things apart this week. If you thought my charts were scary, you should see my subfloor.

We decided the curb appeal needed immediate help. Here is the "Before" (tired, dated) and the "Current Status" (stripped down and ready for a facelift).

Inside, we ripped up the old flooring. Nothing says "Happy Holidays" like the smell of 30-year-old dust and the sound of pry bars hitting concrete.

I tried to convince myself that the layer of dust covering everything isn't dirt, it's just "Unrealized Equity," but I’m having a hard time buying the bull case. Right now, the "Return on Comfort" for this project is crashing hard. I’m holding long for a recovery in 2026, when I hopefully have floors again. 📉😂

🎁 Happy Holidays!

Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or just "The Great Hibernation," I hope you find time to unplug this week.

Put the charts away. Ignore the stock market. Eat the cookie(s). Hug your family.

I’ll see you back here on December 28th for one final recap before we turn the page to 2026. Until then, enjoy the silence (or the chaos)!

Happy Holidays! 🥂​
Robin Valadares

​@financiallyfulfilledpro and Certified Financial Counselor 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​