Champions are determined in the final stretch of a race – whether they glide effortlessly to the finish or surge powerfully through it. The last quarter of the year is much like the closing metres of a World Athletics Championship race. Just as elite athletes preparing for Tokyo 2025 know, sharpening your focus, maintaining perfect form, and finishing strong are what make all the difference, as champions of your financial journey, these things matter too.

Right now, you may be still juggling the pressure of back-to-school expenses or the financial hangover from holiday/vacation expenses, and your everyday living expenses, all while keeping an eye on bigger goals like buying a home, growing your business, planning for retirement, or building long-term wealth. So, the question is: How do you make this leg of the calendar year truly count? Remember, your starting position next year depends on how you finish this financial year. Let that inspire you to power through like a true champion of your destiny and step into 2026 ready to dominate your lane.

It Truly Has Been a Tough Season

For some of us, this year has felt like a marathon. Many of us started 2025 with ambitious financial goals: Saving more, cutting back on spending, setting aside money for a home, retirement, or a child’s education. The expectations were clear and the plans were drawn. However, somewhere along, life threw unexpected hurdles, such as the still-high cost of living, emergencies, or competing priorities, that made keeping pace much harder. In reflecting on what has been accomplished, many of us are realising that we didn’t save as much as planned; or invested less than we had hoped; or expenses got a bit out of control. Though you didn’t intend to miss the mark, like in sports, we know that the hurdles to achieving your financial goals are very much real.

Fortunately, the season isn’t over yet. There is still time on the clock. While it may be too late to hit every financial goal you set in January, there’s still room to make important adjustments and, perhaps, achieve a few of those goals. Think of it as the final stretch of a race. You might not break your personal record, but you can still finish stronger than you started. Here are a few things you can start now to be intentional for the remainder of 2025:

• Revisit your budget: Trim one or two non-essential expenses for the next few months. These cutbacks may free up funds for the festive season, when spending often spikes.

• Automate savings or investments: Even smaller, consistent amounts build momentum and help you stay disciplined.

• Tackle one financial goal at a time: Whether it’s topping up your emergency fund, contributing to retirement, or saving for education, decide what’s most achievable for the rest of the year and lock in progress there. Success builds confidence, and confidence leads to even more success as you begin to view yourself as someone who can achieve your goals.

• Reduce debts: Reducing even a few obligations before the year ends can be a major accomplishment. Review all your debts and focus first on paying down those with the highest interest rates, such as credit cards or unsecured loans, as they tend to grow quickly and become more expensive and burdensome the longer they’re left unpaid.

Remember, progress is choosing to make the next step count, even if the stride is shorter than you first imagined.

Set Yourself Up to Get it Right Next Season

It begins with making intentional changes and tactical adjustments in how you manage your everyday spending for the remainder of the year. Just as athletes might switch coaches or fine-tune their training to improve performance, you too can be more deliberate with your financial strategy and sharper in your approach. It all starts with:

• Warm-up/ Financial Review: Every race begins with a warm-up, review your 2025 finances to date. What slowed you down? Where did you perform well? This reflection sets the tone for a stronger finish and an even better run next year.

• Run in Your Lane: Focus on your own goals. Don’t compare your finances to others’. Stay in your lane and work your plan. Whether you’re saving $1,000 a month or $10,000, consistency beats comparison.

• Perfect Your Form/Fix Your Budget: In track, form matters. In finance, your “form” is your financial habits. Cut impulsive spending habits, track your expenses, and stay focused. Don’t let a nice deal tempt you into buying things you never planned for.

• Train for Endurance and Take Your Supplements: Sprinters train for speed, but marathons require pacing, and the same applies to your finances. Just as marathon runners pace themselves to last the entire race, consistent, monthly investing, even modest amounts, can lay the foundation that sets you up to achieve your goals. Just like athletes relying on supplements to sustain performance, your portfolio also benefits from regular contributions. Even small, steady investments fuel long-term growth, build resilience, and give you the stamina to stay on track through life’s financial challenges as you achieve your financial goals.

The Discipline That Pays Off

The final quarter is the home stretch, the part of the race that demands focus and discipline. Therefore, despite Back-to-school costs, holiday spending, and family obligations feeling like hurdles in your lane, you still have the power to pace yourself and make smart adjustments that can help you build momentum and stay on track. Keep pace, stay focus, and make this leg of the year count. Need some support on your financial journey? At NCB Capital Markets Limited, our expert wealth advisors can assist with providing one-on-one consultation and portfolio review. Let’s help you finish 2025 strong. Go ahead and send an email to ncbcapinfo@jncb.com or call 876-960-7108 to speak with an advisor today.

This article provides general information only, not financial advice. Consider your personal situation and consult a licensed advisor before making decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.