In Equalizer 2, Denzil Washington sits down with Marton Csokas at a table to warn him of impeding danger to his life if he comes after Denzil. The star asked him, “Who do you see when you look at me?” Then got up and walked away. Who do people see when they look at you? In fact, who do you see when you look at your reflection in the mirror? Do you see the same person you looked at the end of 2023? How about the person you saw at the beginning of 2024? In December 2025, who do you want to see?

In The Equalizer 2, Denzel Washington delivers a chilling question to Marton Csokas: “Who do you see when you look at me?” It’s a loaded inquiry—one that leaves both the recipient and the audience pondering their perceptions, intentions, and identities.

Now, let’s turn that question inward: Who do people see when they look at you? More importantly, who do you see when you catch your own financial reflection in the mirror? Pause for a moment and consider this: Are you still staring at the same financial picture you saw at the end of 2023? The beginning of 2024? If the answer is “yes,” that’s a red flag waving wildly in the breeze.

Finances, like life, are about growth, transformation, and deliberate progress. A year can—and should—reshape your financial landscape. Think about it: You wouldn’t want to rewatch a year’s worth of financial decisions only to realize that none of them moved the needle, would you? So why settle for the same stagnation in your financial story?

Here’s the key question: What do you want your financial reflection to look like in December 2025? Imagine reviewing your bank statements, investments, or debt balances and seeing significant improvements. Picture a version of yourself who’s more financially secure, has grown your savings, reduced debt, or built a new stream of income. It’s an inspiring image, but one that requires effort starting now.

Let’s be honest: You can’t just stumble into financial freedom or stability. Progress isn’t accidental. It’s intentional. You’re not going to wake up on January 1, 2025, magically better with money. No, the preparation starts today. Every choice you make—every dollar you save, every unnecessary expense you cut, every financial plan you create—adds up. This is the pregame. It’s the warm-up lap. It’s the montage scene where you’re poring over budgets, learning about investments, and building financial discipline.

December 2025 will come, whether you’re ready for it or not. The only question is: Will you greet it as someone who made significant strides toward financial health and independence? Or will you look back with regret, realizing that the version of you from late 2023 is still stuck in the same financial rut?

The choice is yours. But here’s the good news: The work starts now. You’ve got a solid year to lay the foundation. Don’t wait until January 1 to set resolutions that fizzle out by February. Begin today—with intention, purpose, and the determination to reflect a financial picture you’ll be proud of. Come December 2025, your financial reflection won’t just show numbers; it will reveal the hard-fought triumph of discipline, strategy, and transformation.