The only 2 choices for the 2025 New Year

Read time: 3.0 minutes

Hey {{ name | friend }},

In 2 days, you’ll have 2 choices:

Option 1: Set a New Year’s Resolution.

Option 2: Set a new Financial Identity.

Many people tend to choose Option 1 (including myself, for many years):

“This year, I’ll try to save more than last year.”

“This year, I’ll try to invest more than last year”

Every New Year, I get excited and think this will finally be MY year. But then a couple weeks pass and the motivation dies and I’d completely forget about my resolutions. 

… And that’s because resolutions are all about trying to do something that doesn’t feel natural. 

If you’re used to spending your whole paycheck, saving and investing feels weird. Sure, you’d fight the urge to swipe your card at first, but eventually, you’d give into your old ways.

But what I’ve learned from years of chatting with wealthy people is this: they don’t try.

Wealth isn’t something they work on—it’s part of who they are. And I’ll show you how to make it part of who you are in 2025.

The power of Identity

Choosing Option 2 and setting a new identity might sound intimidating, but it’s really just what makes you you. 

… And the best part is, you get to decide what that means:

“I am a ______”

“I am a wealth builder

“I am a saver

You can decide today that you are a saver, even if you’ve never saved a cent in your life.

People who tie their habits to their identity are more focused, confident, and motivated, even when things get tough because setting an identity builds a feedback loop:

Your identity drives your actions like starting to track your expenses

Repeating those actions turns them into habits—things you barely think about, like breathing or walking.

Those habits produce results like you save more money, which reinforce your identity.

So, who are you?

If you want to make smarter money moves in 2025, then don’t set a New Year’s Resolution.

Don’t say: “I’ll try to ______”

Instead, say: “I am a ______“

Your identity is who you already are.

Visualize what it’s like to reach your goal and hold onto that feeling. Then, find the smallest possible thing you can start doing to live that identity. 

For example, if your new identity is being someone who exercises, start by walking 5 minutes a day. Over time, your actions will build habits, which will lead to the results you want.

PS: I hinted at this in the previous newsletter but here’s the official announcement:

The 5-Day $1k Savings Challenge is back for the 2025 New Year where I’m sharing the best saving strategies, tips, and resources that actually work.

So if want you save more money in 2025, secure your free spot in my 5-Day $1k Savings Challenge today!

… And there’s seriously no better way to commit to your new identity than by taking action today.

To upgrading your money and life for the 2025 New Year!

— Vincent Chan

New YouTube video

I’m sharing my 7 favorite purchases and investments that I’ve made in my 20’s. These are the things that helped me quickly build my wealth.

My favorite things this week

Robot Vacuum – I recently picked this up and it’s been such a time saver. I always talk about “buying your time back” but a lot of people don’t actually know that means. This is the literal definition of it. Instead of spending ~1 hour vacuuming my apartment I can just press a button and this robot cleaner will it all for me. It’s not the latest model but it is the best value for money I could find.

Holiday Decorations – Halloween will always be my favorite holiday but I still really enjoy seeing all the holiday decorations in NYC. Somehow, the beautiful decor mask the “lovely” smells of NYC streets.

Hot Pot – If you’ve never had Hot Pot before, let this be your sign to do it. My family grew up eating Hot Pot in the colder months. The great thing is, Hot Pot isn’t just a “meal” it’s a group experience. You get together with friends and family and everyone gets to cook their own ingredients in a shared pot of spicy (or not-spicy) broth.

PS: I want to hear from you! Want to see more (or less) of this content? Let me know your feedback here

Was this forwarded to you? Sign up here.