Thanks for starting this discussion. December always feels like the right time to pause and reflect on life and money. Looking back at 2025, it was a good year for me overall, even though it came with its share of ups and downs. Nothing felt perfect, but things moved in the right direction, and that itself feels reassuring.
One of the best decisions I made was moving away from direct equity and shifting fully to mutual funds. Investing only in Nifty index funds like Nifty 50, 100, and LargeMidcap 250 has brought a lot of mental peace. I no longer track markets daily or react to news. My equity allocation is still lower than debt, but I am comfortable with that balance and the calm it brings.
Another big step was withdrawing my entire EPF and moving it to debt funds. Getting that money out gave me huge peace of mind. This year, I was less aggressive with investing, mostly due to personal reasons, and thatās okay. Iāve also realized that Iāve spent enough time pushing hard at work, and next year I want to slow down a bit and focus more on home and family.
I also spent a lot of time optimizing credit cards this year, and I feel that part is largely done now. Next year, I want to spend less time on cards and more time building something meaningful, like a proper online presence through content on Instagram or X. Most importantly, I want to focus seriously on my health. With recurring health issues, itās clear that without good health, nothing else really matters.
One more important learning this year is about AI. It is clearly changing the way we work, learn, and live. Almost every field is getting affected, and ignoring it no longer feels like an option. I feel that in the coming years, not knowing how to use AI tools will make many things harder than they need to be.
I donāt see AI as something to fear, but something to understand and use wisely. Even basic knowledge can save time, improve thinking, and open new opportunities. Whether it is for work, content creation, or personal productivity, AI can act like a strong support system if used well.
So for next year, learning AI is a clear goal for me. Not in a rushed or forced way, but steadily and practically. I want to explore tools, understand how they fit into daily life, and use them where they genuinely add value.
Just like investing, health, and balance in life, this also feels like a long-term investment. Learning AI is not about chasing trends, but about staying relevant, confident, and prepared for what lies ahead.