💰 Maniac Minute: 7 Resolutions For A Richer 2025

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Good morning, Maniacs!

The holidays gave us a little rally before Friday’s tech-fueled tumble, Apple gifted investors a jaw-dropping new high, and we’ve cooked up a fresh batch of financial resolutions to help you crush your money goals. Intrigued? We’ve got the full scoop plus a peek at what’s coming in the new year.

Let’s dive in!

Market Recap 📈

After a festive start, markets limped into the weekend, dragged down by a tech-heavy sell-off on Friday. The Nasdaq slid 1.5% and the S&P 500 shed 1.1%, as consumer discretionary, tech, and communication services took the biggest hits.

Tesla, Super Micro Computer, and Palantir led the losers, while Netflix’s record-setting NFL viewership (plus Beyoncé’s cameo) couldn’t salvage lukewarm reviews for Squid Game Season 2.

The real holiday miracle? Apple cracked a fresh all-time high, edging closer to a $4 trillion market cap—four times what it was worth in 2018.

Meanwhile, 10-year Treasury yields soared past 4.6%, enticing investors away from stocks, and pinning mortgage rates at 6.85%. And even though initial jobless claims dipped, continuing jobless claims swelled to 1.91 million—the highest level since 2021.

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Winners & Losers 🚀

It’s time for our weekly spin on who crushed it and who got crushed. From merging automakers to crypto crusaders, we’ve got your biggest moves right here.

Winners

1. Honda Motors ($HMC) – Market Cap: $45.0B (+20.4%)

Honda announced plans to merge with Nissan and form the world’s third-largest automaker, trailing only Toyota and Volkswagen. With electrification rising and Chinese carmakers on the prowl, Honda figures: “Why fight alone?” They’re also sweetening the deal for their shareholders with a hefty ¥1.1 trillion buyback—because nothing says “Don’t panic about our big, messy merger” like a multi-billion-dollar repurchase plan.

2. Toyota Motors ($TM) – Market Cap: $265.0B (+12.0%)

Toyota’s stock surged amid rumors it wants to double its return on equity to 20%. Talk about shooting for the stars. Sure, the scoop came from an unnamed “executive,” but it was enough to fuel a $40 billion leap in market cap. That’s some serious investor excitement—especially after 10 straight months of declining production.

3. Broadcom ($AVGO) – Market Cap: $1.13T (+9.8%)

Broadcom—freshly minted in the trillion-dollar club—is no longer interested in playing second fiddle to Nvidia. The stock is up nearly 50% over the past month, as the company flexes its AI muscles and piles on partnerships with Apple and Meta. Fourth-quarter revenue jumped 51% year-over-year, with $7 billion in earnings. Broadcom’s AI-powered ambitions are cementing its spot as a serious contender in this high-stakes race.

Losers

1. MicroStrategy ($MSTR) – Market Cap: $80.8B (-9.4%)

Pro tip: If your balance sheet is basically just “Bitcoin,” expect a bumpy ride. As BTC nears its first monthly drop in four, MicroStrategy’s shares have dutifully declined. Their plan? Raise even more cash to buy even more Bitcoin. Is this genius or madness? Depends on your faith in crypto—and how you feel about MSTR’s 420% rise year-to-date.

2. Carnival Corporation ($CCL) – Market Cap: $32.8B (-6.4%)

Carnival’s still cruising on post-pandemic revenge travel (occupancy over 100%, baby!), but it took a minor hit after earnings. Bookings for 2025 are already at 70%, and the forward P/E is a cool 15. So why the pullback? Debt loads, inflation, and pesky regulations are all driving up costs. Even so, with cabins filling up like a Taylor Swift concert, Carnival’s short-term turbulence might not scare off bargain hunters for long.

Set Your Financial Resolutions 🏆

The new year is the perfect time to rethink your financial goals and set the stage for a smarter money game. Here are seven resolutions to choose from—tackle one or take on all seven for a standout year!

1. Create A Financial Dashboard

Link all your accounts—checking, credit cards, brokerage, loans—into one tool (Mint, YNAB, or Personal Capital). Spot trends, cut waste, and find opportunities in real time. A clear financial picture sparks smarter decisions and fewer blind spots.

2. Commit To A Real Budget

With your dashboard set up, tracking what you earn, spend, and save gets way easier. Sound boring? Sure, but it’s the bedrock of your goals. Track just one month of expenses, and you’ll see where your cash goes and what to trim.

3. Rethink Your Emergency Fund

Stop earning pennies on your cash. Park a few months’ worth of expenses in a high-yield savings account or short-term Treasury bills. You’ll earn more on your cash without sacrificing quick access. Plus, this cushion prevents you from being forced to sell an investment at the worst time.

4. Engineer Your Debt Paydown

High-interest credit cards dragging you down? Tackle those first with a clear timeline, and auto-increase payments as you get raises. Refinancing mortgages or student loans when rates dip can help, too. The goal? Less debt—and smarter debt.

5. Fine-Tune Your Asset Location

No need to become a day-trader. Just ensure your mix of stocks, bonds, and cash fits your goals. A handy starting point: 110 - Your Age = Stock Allocation, with the rest in bonds. You can start simple with a total market ETF and U.S. Treasuries, then diversify. Consistency beats trend-chasing every time.

6. Invest With Taxes In Mind

Where you hold investments matters. Keep growth-focused ETFs in taxable accounts to benefit from lower capital gains rates. Stash income-heavy assets (REITs, bonds) in tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or 401(k)s, where taxes are deferred until withdrawal. A few tweaks here can make a big impact over time.

7. Bank A Short-Term Win

Not every goal has to be about retirement. Pick a goal you can tackle now—like paying off a credit card or building a down payment fund. These small wins build confidence and momentum for your bigger, long-term goals.

You don’t need to tackle everything all at once. Even one resolution can create real impact. But checking off all seven boxes this year? That’s a financial glow-up you’ll be proud of! 🎉

Worth The Read 📚

🏙️ Americans are moving back to cities as the pandemic’s suburban fling cools down. So much for everyone fleeing the skyline—turns out city lights still dazzle.

🦾 Musk, Ramaswamy set DOGE agenda targeting bloated budgets and sloppy audits as they eye serious cuts under the new administration.

🏦 A record wave of Americans turning 65 in 2025 is reshaping retirement planning. Financial firms are seeing surging annuity sales and higher-yield account demand, but lenders face growing credit risks among seniors without home equity.

🏠 U.S. homelessness hits a 17-year high with an 18% year-over-year increase. Rising mortgage rates and a shortage of affordable housing have left more Americans priced out of stable living situations.

🦠 The spread of bird flu among mammals has sparked concern, though public health officials say the risk remains low. A few severe human cases and potential mutations have experts urging caution with food handling and exposure.

🎶 Mariah Carey’s holiday anthem rakes in millions every year, generating over $103 million since 1994. With royalties from streams, covers, and TV specials, the Queen of Christmas has built a festive empire that keeps on giving.

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The Week Ahead 🔍

The last week of the year is looking light on action and heavy on holiday vibes. No earnings reports, a day off, and just a few economic releases to bookend the week. But don’t worry, Wall Street wakes back up next week!

Monday

• November’s Pending Home Sales (est. 0.7% MoM, 5.8% YoY)

Tuesday

• Bond market closes early at 2 p.m. ET

Wednesday

• Markets closed for New Year’s Day

Thursday

• Another blank slate—call it a post-holiday siesta

Friday

• December’s ISM Services PMI (est. 48.5)

That’s a wrap! See you next Monday with all the market insights and money tips you need to stay ahead.

Keep stacking,
The Money Maniac 💸

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DISCLAIMER: The information provided in this newsletter is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets. All opinions expressed are those of the author and are subject to change without notice. Please do your own research or consult with a licensed professional before making any investment decisions.