By John Valentik, MS, CSCS, NASM-PES, CES

Black Friday has a strange way of pulling us in. Even the most financially disciplined people feel the pressure: the countdown timers, the “last chance” banners, the 40% off deals that seem too good to ignore. And now here we are — two days after Black Friday and one day before Cyber Monday — sitting right in the eye of the ‘shop til you drop’ storm.

This is actually the perfect moment for a reset.

Before Cyber Monday hits your inbox like a tidal wave, take ten minutes to pause, breathe, and check in with your spending. This isn’t about guilt or restriction. It’s about awareness — and about understanding one of the most overlooked truths in personal finance:

Saving money is often more powerful than earning more money — because dollars saved aren’t taxed like dollars earned.

Let’s break that down.

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Why Saving Outperforms Earning

Most people obsess over income — the raise, the bonus, the side hustle, the extra shift. And yes, income matters. It gives you options, security, and momentum.

But here’s the part that rarely gets highlighted:

When you earn a dollar, you don’t actually keep a dollar.

Depending on your income level, tax bracket, and state, the average person might keep around 80 cents on each dollar earned — sometimes less. Federal tax, state tax, Social Security, Medicare… they all take a cut before you ever see that money.

But when you choose not to spend a dollar, you keep the full dollar.

• To spend $1, you might need to earn $1.25
• But to save $1, you only need to not spend $1

It’s simple, but it’s massive. Saving is the only “income” you receive that isn’t taxed.

This is why people who build wealth aren’t always the highest earners — they’re the ones who consistently preserve and invest a portion of what they already make.

And when you combine this tax advantage with the power of long-term investing, things get exponential.

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What $25, $50, or $100 a Month Really Does for Your Future

Long-term market performance varies, but historically, the S&P 500 has returned roughly around 10% per year on average over long stretches. That means young people — and anyone playing the long game — are sitting on one of the greatest wealth-building tools in history.

Here’s what small monthly contributions can grow into over time:

Saving $25 / month

• 5 years → ≈ $1,936 (you put in $1,500; gains ≈ $436)
• 15 years → ≈ $10,362 (you put in $4,500; gains ≈ $5,862)
• 25 years → ≈ $33,171 (you put in $7,500; gains ≈ $25,671)
• 50 years → ≈ $433,110 (you put in $15,000; gains ≈ $418,110)

Saving $50 / month

• 5 years → ≈ $3,872 (you put in $3,000; gains ≈ $872)
• 15 years → ≈ $20,724 (you put in $9,000; gains ≈ $11,724)
• 25 years → ≈ $66,342 (you put in $15,000; gains ≈ $51,342)
• 50 years → ≈ $866,220 (you put in $30,000; gains ≈ $836,220)

Saving $100 / month

• 5 years → ≈ $7,744 (you put in $6,000; gains ≈ $1,744)
• 15 years → ≈ $41,447 (you put in $18,000; gains ≈ $23,447)
• 25 years → ≈ $132,683 (you put in $30,000; gains ≈ $102,683)
• 50 years → ≈ $1,732,439 (you put in $60,000; gains ≈ $1,672,439)

These numbers aren’t magic — they’re math. They’re the result of consistent contributions, time, and compound growth. The 50-year numbers show the real magic of compound interest: relatively small, consistent monthly habits can become life-changing sums over long horizons. The same works in the fitness, nutrition, and personal development world!

And here’s the most important part: Most of this future growth doesn’t come from the money you put in — it comes from the money your money earns.

That’s why even tiny monthly habits matter so much.

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The Post–Black Friday Pause: A Simple Routine That Can Save You Thousands

Here’s a quick exercise for today — something I would recommend every year:

1. Review your Black Friday purchases.

Which ones did you truly need? Which ones were impulse? Which ones felt urgent in the moment but unnecessary now?

2. Look at what you almost bought.

If you hesitated, it’s a sign. Those “almost purchases” are often your greatest opportunities for savings.

3. Redirect the money.

For every impulse item you skip buying tomorrow on Cyber Monday, move that exact amount into a savings or investing bucket.

Skipped a $60 gadget? Transfer $60.
Decided against a $30 subscription? Transfer $30.

This simple move does two things:

• reinforces the habit of saving over spending
• turns a moment of temptation into momentum for your future

4. Set up a recurring monthly amount — even if it’s tiny.

$25 a month is all it takes to start.
$50 or $100 accelerates the curve dramatically.

Remember, this money needs to be invested, not just stowed away in a checking account. There are countless investment vehicles these days, from brokerage and retirement accounts to apps on our phones. Find a reliable source and aim to invest that money in some type of index fund or exchange traded fund (ETF) that aims to mirror the S&P 500.

Of course, there is always risk, but the savings chart above is over a 100-year average. For the little time we have on this planet, I’ll trust the math! Once you gain confidence and comfort, you can explore some more of the ‘risk-on’ assets, like stocks, sector funds, and other assets like crypto, etc. But remember, only invest money that you can afford to lose.

Consistency beats intensity — always.

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A Final Thought: Sales Come and Go, but Your Habits Stay

Black Friday and Cyber Monday feel big in the moment, but the things we buy on these days rarely change our lives. Meanwhile, the small, steady financial decisions we make during this one weekend absolutely can.

Every dollar you save is a full, untaxed dollar working for you.
Every dollar you invest compounds into future freedom.
And every moment of awareness strengthens your financial foundation moving forward.

Today’s the perfect day to slow down, zoom out, and make a choice your future self will thank you for.