Financial Self-Care in 2026: Take Control and Gallop Toward Freedom 🐎

By David LeBlanc, The Precious Metals Coach + Money Mindset Mentor

🎧 Listen to The Precious Metals Coach weekly podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or Hubhopper

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season. I waited a little to share my first article of 2026 until all of the New Year's hype died down a little which comes with the annual promise of big changes, resolutions, etc. which often only lead to failure and disappointment. I'm not a fan of resolutions but more of setting some goals and expectations for the year ahead.

Coming out of the holidays, many people feel a quiet weight around money. Credit card balances are higher than expected. Bank balances are lower than planned. Instead of starting 2026 with energy, optimism and excitement, there’s often a creeping financial anxiety: “I really need to deal with this.”

January is all about self-care. Gyms fill up. Diets begin. New routines are promised. By mid-February...well, many often revert back to thier comfort level and poor habits, including financial ones.

But here’s the thing: your financial health deserves just as much attention as your physical health. Money stress doesn’t just live in your bank account — it shows up in your sleep, your relationships, and your ability to enjoy life. And yet, so many people avoid it, not because they’re irresponsible, but because it feels complicated, emotional, or intimidating.

My philosophy is simple: be less reliant on the system and more in control of your own financial independence, choice, and freedom. Money should not be a source of stress or conflict — it should empower you, give you options, and even be fun.

2025: The Year of the Snake — Shedding the Old

2025 was the Year of the Snake and all about shedding what no longer serves you. For many, that meant realizing they’d been overly dependent on others and bad habits: advisors, institutions, and/or outdated strategies and practices that didn’t provide peace of mind.

It was also a year that reinforced a lesson I’ve seen over and over: precious metals remain one of the most reliable ways to protect and grow wealth. While many traditional investors chased growth stocks like Tesla, Nvidia, or Google, or other volatile assets, gold, silver, and platinum quietly outperformed the market. They preserved value, provided stability, and offered real protection against the devaluation of fiat money. 2025 proved that if you’ve been waiting for the “perfect moment” to focus on financial independence, that moment is now.

Precious Metals: The Story They Told in 2025

2025 was a remarkable year for metals.

• Gold rose from about $3,900 CAD per ounce late in 2024 to around $6,285 CAD today.

• Silver went from roughly $55 CAD per ounce to nearly $111 CAD today, even touching $115 CAD late in December.

• Platinum surged to $3,359 CAD in late December and is now $3,171. On January 1, 2025, it was $1,300CAD.

Governments were also busy. Many continued hoarding gold, repatriated bullion back home, and BRICS nations showed increased interest in gold as part of their economic strategies. Meanwhile, initiatives like the UK’s digital ID plans highlighted growing concerns over financial privacy, reminding us why holding real assets outside the system is important.

The paper suppression of silver, in particular, seems to be breaking, allowing its real price potential to finally emerge. Plus, when you consider that the amount of silver above ground is not that different from gold — it’s just that historically, silver was undervalued and often discarded — the opportunity becomes clear.

More and more people are waking up: affordability, inflation, financial privacy, wealth protection, and investment security are motivating them to explore alternatives and precious metals are perfectly positioned. For those who’ve been stacking for years, you know exactly what I mean.

If you haven’t traded up some fiat dollars into metals yet, ask yourself, "Why not? What’s holding you back?"

For those who already own them, keep going, take advantage of dips and use dollar-cost averaging to add more weight, inflation protection, and wealth.

🐎 2026: The Year of the Horse — Gallop Toward Your Destiny

2026 is the Year of the Horse — a year of freedom, momentum, and transformation. This is your chance to finally make some bold decisions in your financial practices and goals.

Ask yourself: what do you want 2026 to look like?

• Reducing debt?

• Adding precious metals for the first time — or more if you’re already a stacker?

• Building more financial privacy and being a little more out of the system?

• Becoming your own bank?

• Creating an emergency fund — maybe with precious metals?

• Building your personal pension plan with income-oriented ETFs that generate passive cash flow?

• Leaving a legacy for the next generation?

With the New Year, many people started off 2025 with promises, resolution and goals and when the ball dropped on New Year's Eve they realized that another year had passed and they were no further ahead than they were at the start and maybe even further behind. In 2026, don't let this happen again. It's your time to finally decide to make yourself and your finances a true priorirty. If the same old hasn't been working for you, it's likely time to seek out new ideas and opinions to help decide what's truly best for you.

By December 31, 2026, wouldn't you rather feel less stressed and anxious and more in control and further ahead knowing that you are actually progressing towards financial independence, choice and freedom? Why let another year pass you by???

This year, don’t just hope for progress. Create it with a plan and strategy that actually moves you toward your goals, instead of drifting and getting distracted, frustrated and disappointed by February.

Imagine the power of taking control:

• Gifting your kids money with joy, not stress.

• Taking a premium vacation without guilt.

• Having steady passive income and extra dollars to invest in precious metals.

• Feeling calm and confident when you look at your finances.

• Following a clear, predictable plan to fund your retirement — maybe even sooner than you ever imagined.

This is what financial self-care looks like in practice. Money is the tool — for freedom, choice, and independence.

Stop Delegating Your Financial Power

Too many people hand over their financial power to advisors or institutions, assuming they’ll make the right choices. But these systems aren’t built for your benefit — they profit from fees, transactions, and decisions that don’t always protect your wealth.

The result? Frustration, disappointment, and lost opportunities. Ugh, another year gone by.

I firmly believe that taking control of your finances is about empowerment. It’s not complicated — it’s intentional. When you actively manage your money, invest in real assets like precious metals, and build passive income streams, you reclaim control, independence, and choice.

Precious Metals and Passive Income: The Foundation

People often ask: “Should I buy gold, silver, platinum, or some of each?” "Aren't they too expensive?" "Where can I buy them safely?"

Here’s my take: diversification and consistency matter. Metals provide protection, growth potential, and a hedge against inflation. Gold is stable, silver offers upside with industrial demand, and platinum is poised for growth.

In 2026, I expect all three to hit new highs. And combined with income-oriented ETFs, you can build cash flow that funds your lifestyle while growing your wealth.

Just imagine...

• Financial freedom that lets you gift, travel, and invest without guilt.

• Predictable, growing passive income by building your own personal pension plan.

• Extra dollars to trade up into precious metals for more peace of mind, inflation protection, savings and wealth.

• A clear plan for your future self, retirement, perhaps sooner than you ever thought possible.

This is what intentional financial self-care looks like. It's not a hope and a prayer that maybe you'll get there. It's a real plan that works for you and one that you can do yourself, with some expert guidance along the way, that gets you where you want to go in a consistenmt and predictable manner. Yes, finally!

In 2026, Jump On Your Horse

2026 is your year to take charge, act boldly, and align your money with your dreams. Whether it’s reducing debt, stacking precious metals, creating more financial privacy, or building your personal pension plan, the key is action with a plan. Small, consistent steps lead to momentum, freedom, and confidence.

This year, let your finances empower you, not stress you. Gallop forward with purpose, and make 2026 the year you take control of your wealth, your choices, and your future.

When December 31, 2026 hits, where will you be...same old or in a totally new and better financial position? Don't let another year pass by. Making real, meaningful change is easier than you with the right coach right beside you.

To your financial health in 2026 🥂,

David LeBlanc

The Precious Metals Coach + Money Mindset Mentor

"Real Money For We The People"

preciousmetalscoach@proton.me

Free 15-Minute Discovery Call

Curious how precious metals and passive income strategies can work for you? Book a free 15-minute Discovery Call to discuss your goals and next steps:

BOOK ONLINE

Disclaimer

This content reflects my personal opinions and experiences and is for educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, or legal advice. Always do your own research and consult qualified professionals before making financial decisions.