The 2026 game plan: the art of living your own way*

Happy New Year, everyone! I hope you all enjoyed a restful holiday season. As we step into 2026, I wish you a year defined not just by growth in your investment portfolio, but by growth in your independence and health.

Recently, I’ve been reflecting on a book I finished reading last month: "The Art of Spending Money." by Morgan Housel. In it, Housel reminds us that personal finance is more personal than it is finance. Money is less about cold numbers and more about the stories we tell ourselves, about what matters, what brings us joy, and how we measure success.

As Housel writes, “The greatest intrinsic value of money—and this can’t be overstated—is its ability to give you control over your time.” As you assess your investment results from 2025, I invite you to consider: how can your money serve you in 2026 and beyond, and provide the freedom to make your best life happen?

This post continues a five-year tradition. Every January, I share a model Investment Plan, only to return at year-end to hold the strategy accountable to the results. Today, we’re looking back at the 2025 Stock Talk portfolio, originally shared here on January 6, 2025.

Disclaimer: This plan is for informational and learning purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. It prioritizes long-term, sustainable growth, not personal financial goals.

2025 Year in Review: The Power of the Index

I am pleased to report that 2025 was a year of solid results, with the equities portfolio delivering a 13.1% return and the total portfolio (including GIC’s and cash) growth of 9.6%.

Some things for consideration from this past year:

• The Currency Factor: 78% of the portfolio is in USD and 22% in CAD, at the end of each year I convert everything in this theoretical portfolio back to CAD. Because the exchange rate dropped over the year, the USD stock performance was actually "penalized"—it could have been 5 points higher if the loonie hadn't strengthened.

  
  

• A Historic Year for Canada: The TSX was the star of the show, posting a staggering 28.3% growth—its highest since 2009. Unlike the post-crisis recovery of 2009, this growth was built on top of a solid 2024, showing sustained strength in the Canadian market. Consequently, the investment in XIC (the ETF that tracks the TSX) paid off nicely, delivering a total return of 30.4% once dividends were factored in

  
  

• US Resilience: While lagging behind the TSX, the US indices did not disappoint: the Nasdaq: 20.4%, S&P 500: 16.4%, and Dow: 12.9% all delivered strong results. Consequently, the portfolio holdings in QQQ, SPY and DIA, mirrored these gains, providing a solid foundation for the portfolio’s growth.

  
  

The Verdict on Simplification

Last year, I made the move to replace more individual stocks with the aforementioned Index ETFs (XIC, DIA, QQQ), and that decision proved to be the right one. When comparing the performance of the indices against the 'pool' of stocks I previously held, the indices consistently came out on top. It turns out that, at least for now, quiet compounding through index ETFs has delivered the most reliable growth.

The "Learning" Journey: Nike & Snap

In 2025, I introduced two "Learning Stocks": Nike (NKE) and Snapchat (SNAP). Both underperformed the broader market this year, but gave me the opportunity to learn more about the management team behind both companies.

• Nike: Watching how Elliott Hill is navigating the turnaround plan with the support of Tim Cook as Lead Independent Board Director has been fascinating. It is still “work in progress” but I see signs that they are trying to balance their brand heritage with innovation, strong retail partners and solid supply network.

• Snap: Evan Spiegel remains one of the most independent thinkers in tech. While the market is skeptical, I am learning a lot from his "visionary" approach to an increasingly crowded social landscape.

  
  

I am not giving up on these stories. I am still interested in their journey for 2026 and I’m planning to continue investing in both.

The 2026 Strategy: Discipline and Long Term Growth

As we move into 2026, the strategy is about continuity, rebalancing, and a disciplined deployment of capital.

1. Rebalancing for Stability

While maintaining the core portfolio of ETFs and stocks for 2026, I have strategically trimmed some top performers to prevent the portfolio from becoming too 'top-heavy.' Specifically, I’ve locked in gains from Google (+57.7%) and XIC (+30.4%) to maintain proper diversification and manage risk.

2. Doubling Down on the "Learning Stocks"

Because I believe in the power of these brands and the leadership teams I’m following, I will be adding to the positions in Nike and Snap. With prices currently lower, this is a strategic opportunity to "cost average down" while the turnaround stories continue to unfold.

3. Putting Cash to Work

While there are valid reasons to believe we may be in a stock market bubble, I am committed to gradually investing some of the available cash throughout the year. With interest rates anticipated to continue their decline in 2026, maintaining a high cash position is no longer the optimal path for long-term growth.

• Current Cash: 20%

• 2026 Target: 8% as I will gradually invest 1% of the portfolio's value every month across the four Index ETFs: XIC, DIA, SPY, and QQQ.

So, here is what the Stock Talk portfolio looks like at the start of 2026:

Final Thoughts: Independence is Wealth

As Christopher Morley said, "There is only one measure of success: to be able to spend your life in your own way."  My goal with financial coaching is not just about finances; it's to ensure that money provides the freedom to prioritize what is important to you: health, family and the time to focus on things that bring you the most happiness.

Are you ready to focus on what matters most? If 2026 is the year you want to align your finances with your actual life goals, I’d love to help. Finance is more than math; it’s about the art of spending your time on what makes you happy.

To learn more about financial coaching and how we can work together to make your money serve you better:

Book a Free Consultation

Thank you for being part of the Stock Talk journey. Here’s to a meaningful 2026!

Claudia Soler

January 1st, 2026

* Disclaimer: The information contained within this blog is for informational purposes only and it is not intended as a recommendation of the securities highlighted or any particular investment strategy; nor should it be considered a solicitation to buy or sell any security. In addition, this information is not represented or warranted to be accurate, correct, complete or timely. The securities mentioned in this blog may not be suitable for all types of investors and the information contained in this blog does not constitute advice. Before acting on any information in this blog, readers should consider whether such an investment is suitable for their particular circumstances, perform their own due diligence, and if necessary, seek professional advice.