What caught my eye this week.<\/em><\/p>\n D<\/span>espite our gloomy warnings about pricey<\/a> stock markets and how every investment can fail you<\/a>, we\u2019re actually a pretty jolly crew here at Monevator<\/em>.<\/p>\n Why wouldn\u2019t we be?<\/p>\n For my part I long ago cracked the code of escaping the worst<\/a> of the work world without giving up the income. And my co-blogger The Accumulator<\/em> is forever chasing cows<\/a>.<\/p>\n Happy days \u2013 so I think it\u2019s high time we had a bit more fun about the place.<\/p>\n Yes, it\u2019s mandatory Christmas party time!<\/p>\n Now, nothing says Yuletide office party like a Christmas jumper, right?<\/p>\n Even more so when you\u2019re retired or working from home, and you want to stand out on a Zoom call.<\/p>\n Which is all a laboured way of revealing that my girlfriend has designed a special Christmas jumper \u2013 well, sweater really \u2013 that you can now bag at the Monevator<\/em> shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bulls, bears, and little tinsel decorations that look like share price graphs, it\u2019s got it all.<\/p>\n How could you not want to be wearing one of these bad boys when the boss treats the team to a Christmas Nando\u2019s:<\/p>\n There are two colours to choose from \u2013 blue<\/a> and green<\/a> \u2013 and again note that these are sweatshirts, not knitwear. (You can\u2019t produce knitwear products on demand. Call me pessimistic but I wasn\u2019t going to pre-order 1,000 in advance\u2026)<\/p>\n So go grab one now to wow your friends, family, neighbours, and the postman.<\/p>\n (Note: wowing is not guaranteed, your mileage may vary.)<\/p>\n The forced fun doesn\u2019t stop there. Because what\u2019s an office party without prizes?<\/p>\n Yes, we\u2019re going to give away three of these seasonal sweaters.<\/p>\n Full terms and conditions below (red tape in the UK? really?) but here\u2019s the gist of what you need to do for a chance of winning one of the three Christmas sweaters we\u2019re giving away.<\/p>\n Sign-up to become a Monevator<\/em> member<\/a> between now and the end of Friday 12 December and you\u2019ll automatically go into a random draw to win a Christmas sweater.<\/p>\n Back in June we launched<\/a> a referral programme, where members can get discounted \u2013 or even free \u2013 membership by referring others who sign-up for an annual subscription.<\/p>\n That week saw a flurry (well, a handful) of referrals. But nothing since. I suspect our relentless focus on sub-optimal Monevator<\/em> monetisation strikes again\u2026<\/p>\n So I\u2019m flagging the referral scheme once more. I\u2019ve made it more generous, too.<\/p>\n As for this competition, refer a member who signs up for annual membership between now and the end of 12 December and you\u2019ll go into a draw for a sweater.<\/p>\n Scroll down my previous post <\/a>for details on how to refer someone. Note<\/strong>: you need to be on an annual membership<\/strong> for referrals to count<\/strong>.<\/p>\n My girlfriend may be a talented designer of pixellated investing-themed Christmas sweatshirts, but she is not perfect.<\/p>\n In particular: she is insufficiently obsessed with investing.<\/p>\n So what inspiring advice would you give a 30-something who saves into her workplace pension but otherwise takes no interest in investing? Despite her boyfriend running a leading blog about investing?<\/p>\n Share 50-100 words on saving, index funds, retiring early, financial freedom, or any of the other topics we cover on Monevator<\/em> (okay, maybe not leveraged ETFs<\/a>) and you\u2019ll go into a draw for a sweatshirt.<\/p>\n I will use a selection of these comments to create an article that I\u2019ll then print out and leave conveniently in her make-up draw or in her car\u2019s glove box.<\/p>\n She\u2019ll surely be delighted!<\/p>\n Only initials or first names will be published if your advice is included.<\/p>\n You can either comment below, clearly stating a bit of investing advice, or get in touch with the comment form<\/a> or with a reply if you\u2019re reading this post on email.<\/p>\n Again, entries by the end of Friday 12 December please.<\/p>\n Now for that regulatory small print.<\/p>\n 1. Promoter: Monevator (monevator.com).<\/p>\n 2. How to enter: You can enter the draw in any of the following ways: All valid entries receive one entry into the draw. No purchase is necessary because option (c) is free.<\/p>\n 3. Opening and closing date: Entries open on 6 December 2025 and close at 23:59 on 12 December 2025. Entries received after this time will not be included.<\/p>\n 4. Eligibility: Open to readers aged 18 or over. One entry per person. Monevator<\/em> contributors and their close family members are not eligible. (Sorry!)<\/p>\n 5. Prizes: Three winners will each receive one Monevator<\/em>-branded sweatshirt. No cash alternative.<\/p>\n 6. Winner selection: Winners will be chosen at random from all eligible entries within seven days of the closing date.<\/p>\n 7. Notification: Winners will be contacted by email. If a winner does not respond within seven days, we may draw a replacement winner.<\/p>\n 8. Data: We will only use personal details supplied for the purposes of administering this draw and citing any advice chosen for an article.<\/p>\n 9. Use of comments: We may publish a selection of submitted comments in a future Monevator<\/em> article. Comments will be published anonymously or using first names or initials only. By entering, you agree to this.<\/p>\n 10. General: We reserve the right to withdraw or amend the promotion if necessary. Our decision is final.<\/p>\n Again, that\u2019s three different ways to win one of three Christmas sweatshirts.<\/p>\n Ho ho ho! Have a great weekend.<\/p>\n When to derisk before retirement \u2013 Monevator<\/a><\/p>\n How to value and account for private companies and funds, angel investments, and crowdfunded shares [Moguls<\/a>]<\/em> \u2013 Monevator<\/a><\/p>\n From the archive-ator: Don\u2019t waste money buying expensive gifts \u2013 Monevator<\/a><\/p>\n AJ Bell boss warns over \u2018absolutely bonkers\u2019 cash ISA charge [Paywall]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n Halifax: first-time buyers in best position to buy property in a decade \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Student loan repayments are changing: what workers need to know \u2013 Which<\/a><\/p>\n LSE reportedly cracking down on \u2018Wild West\u2019 bulletin boards \u2013 Proactive<\/a><\/p>\n Labour\u2019s child poverty strategy unveiled, but not everyone is happy \u2013 Sky<\/a><\/p>\n Four million more households will see mortgages rise next year \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n MSCI launches a new index combining public markets and private equity \u2013 MSCI<\/a><\/p>\n Revealed: Britain\u2019s happiest places to live \u2013 Sky<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Dell gives $6.25bn to launch \u2018Trump Accounts\u2019 for 25m US kids \u2013 FA Advisor<\/a><\/p>\n UK economy is still set to slow next year, warns OECD \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n Disclosure: Links to platforms may be affiliate links, where we may earn a commission. This article is not personal financial advice. When investing, your capital is at risk and you may get back less than invested. With commission-free brokers other fees may apply. See terms and fees. Past performance doesn\u2019t guarantee future results.<\/sup><\/p>\n Do green mortgages offer better rates? \u2013 Which<\/a><\/p>\n Everything you need to know about sending Christmas parcels \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n What is a \u2018stepped pension\u2019, and should you take one if you can? \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n Get up to \u00a31,500 cashback when you transfer your cash and\/or investments to Charles Stanley Direct through this affiliate link<\/a>. Terms apply \u2013\u00a0Charles Stanley<\/a><\/p>\n Save at the supermarket with this gift card hack \u2013 Be Clever With Your Cash<\/a><\/p>\n Is it normal to pay a reservation fee on a property? \u2013 Which<\/a><\/p>\n Top ten credit card hacks \u2013 Be Clever With Your Cash<\/a><\/p>\n How do you unwind a trust? \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n Homes for sale with exposed beams, in pictures \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Gilts, dividends, and a shed full of machinery \u2013 Modern Tontines<\/a><\/p>\n Alan Johnson: the UK must escape the doom loop of low skills [Paywall]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n If there was a bubble, what would you do about it? \u2013 Behavioural Investment<\/a><\/p>\n Living for the eulogy \u2013 The Root of All<\/a><\/p>\n A drawdown case study [US but relevant]<\/em> \u2013 A Wealth of Common Sense<\/a><\/p>\n What\u2019s a \u2018good enough\u2019 financial plan? \u2013 Morningstar<\/a><\/p>\n The hidden cost of index replication \u2013 Larry Swedroe<\/a><\/p>\n The government is driving amateur landlords out of buy-to-let \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n The value of flexing spend in retirement \u2013 Simple Living in Somerset<\/a><\/p>\n Morningstar\u2019s annual safe withdrawal rate guesstimate \u2013 Morningstar<\/a><\/p>\n Exploring value versus growth, again [Research, PDF]<\/em> \u2013 Meketa<\/a><\/p>\n The liquidity illusion \u2013 3652 Days<\/a><\/p>\n Proposed inflation indexation changes have rocked renewable trusts \u2013 II<\/a> [Affiliate link]<\/em><\/p>\n Exploring the state of the bond market \u2013 Excess Returns<\/a><\/p>\n The story of DuoLingo \u2013 Quartr<\/a><\/p>\n Don\u2019t get hung up on investment trust discounts [Paywall]<\/em> \u2013 FT<\/a><\/p>\n The right tailwinds in emerging markets \u2013 The Falling Knife<\/a><\/p>\n Investors overweight mystery and underweight mastery \u2013 Groundwork<\/a><\/p>\n The most overvalued shares in the US aren\u2019t in AI \u2013 Trustnet<\/a><\/p>\n Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk<\/em>\u00a0by Annie Duke \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n A Man for All Markets<\/em> by Edward Thorp \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n The End of Reality<\/em>\u00a0by Jonathan Taplin \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead<\/em> by Sheryl Sandberg \u2013 \u00a30.99 on Kindle<\/a><\/p>\n Or pick up one of the all-time great investing classics \u2013 Monevator<\/em> shop<\/a><\/p>\n Stumbling over the holy grail of agriculture \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n China has planted so many trees it has changed its water distribution \u2013 LiveScience<\/a><\/p>\n Pay-per-mile on EVs will see petrol cars rationed, says car boss \u2013 This Is Money<\/a><\/p>\n 60,000 penguins starved to death after sardine numbers collapsed \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Saving Japan\u2019s exceptionally rare \u2018snow monsters\u2019 \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n Chatbots are becoming really, really good criminals \u2013 Atlantic<\/a><\/p>\n Self-driving cars save lives \u2013 New York Times<\/a><\/p>\n Why doesn\u2019t everyone love AI? \u2013 Noahpinion<\/a><\/p>\n AI safety features can be circumvented with poetry \u2013 Guardian<\/a><\/p>\n Google, nVidia, and OpenAI \u2013 Stratechery<\/a><\/p>\n VC firms\u2019 \u2018kingmaker\u2019 strategy crowns AI winners in their infancy \u2013 TechCrunch<\/a><\/p>\n The AI snow globe is shaken \u2013 Spyglass<\/a><\/p>\n A dishonourable strike \u2013 Exec Functions<\/a><\/p>\n (Dead) DOGE<\/a> may end up costing US taxpayers $135bn this year alone \u2013 Fortune<\/a><\/p>\n A \u2018fertility gap\u2019 is fuelling the rise of one-child families \u2013 BBC<\/a><\/p>\n How to rig hidden markets in your favour \u2013 Next Big Idea Club<\/a><\/p>\n Five books published in 2025 worth reading \u2013 Klement on Investing<\/a><\/p>\n The spiritual basis for capitalism \u2013 We\u2019re Gonna Get Those Bastards<\/a><\/p>\n In praise of biblomania \u2013 LitHub<\/a><\/p>\n Removing gang tattoos to help offenders start again \u2013 Reasons to be Cheerful<\/a><\/p>\n The first Bible with a map helped create nation states \u2013 The Conversation<\/a><\/p>\n 52 things learned in 2025 \u2013 Tom Whitwell<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m much more interested in the train than the weather, but I\u2019m even more interested in the destination than the train.\u201d Like these links? Subscribe<\/a> to get them every Saturday. Note this article includes affiliate links, such as from Amazon<\/a> and Interactive Investor<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nYour Christmas party outfit sorted<\/h3>\n
![\"Image:](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/monevator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/monevator-xmas-sweatshirt-blue.jpg?resize=800%2C850&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHow to potentially win a Christmas sweatshirt<\/h3>\n
Become a Monevator member<\/h4>\n
Refer someone who becomes a member<\/h4>\n
Give some advice on investing<\/h4>\n
Monevator free prize draw: terms & conditions<\/h4>\n
(a) Sign up for Monevator<\/em> membership;
(b) Refer someone who signs up for membership;
(c) Share some inspiring advice about investing via a comment, email reply, or the content form.<\/p>\nFrom Monevator<\/h3>\n
News<\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/monevator.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GDP-forecasts-2026.jpg?resize=1000%2C737&ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nProducts and services<\/h3>\n
Comment and opinion<\/h3>\n
Naughty corner: Active antics<\/h3>\n
Kindle book bargains<\/h3>\n
Environmental factors<\/h3>\n
Robot overlord roundup<\/h3>\n
Not at the dinner table<\/h3>\n
Off our beat<\/h3>\n
And finally\u2026<\/h3>\n
\u2013 David Gardner, Rule Breaker Investing<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n