January 2026: January 2026: Diary of a CFP® Pro — Welcome to the Year of the Fire Horse
Listen to the podcast on Inkandescent Radio
Episode 13: Margaritas with Marguerita — Meet Robyn Crane, CFP®, host of The Financial G-Spot
A Note from Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, CEO Blue Ocean Global Wealth — Happy New Year, my friends! I am so excited to embark on 2026 — the Year of the Fire Horse (2026, 2014, 2002, 1990, 1978, 1966, 1954, 1942 …).
Given my Asian heritage: I am always intrigued to understand the zodiac traditions behind the Chinese horoscopes and the animal of your birth year. This month, the Year of the Snake is coming to an end, and February 17, 2026, marks the first day of the Year of the Horse — the seventh animal in the Chinese horoscope. With it, expect fiery, vibrant energy symbolizing vitality, momentum, and adventure. Experts tell us this year is viewed as a year of optimism and opportunity, with strong public and investor confidence pointing towards economic growth.
In Chinese culture: The Horse is known for its energetic and dynamic nature. It symbolizes vitality, speed, and perseverance. People born in the Year of the Horse are believed to possess similar traits, such as being hardworking, warm-hearted, and independent.
Rita says: I am so honored to participate in the December 23 Nasdaq Closing Bell ceremony with @graniteshares
The Horse is also associated with success and good fortune. There is a phrase “马到成功” in Chinese, which represents achieving success swiftly and smoothly, just like when a victorious horse arrives at the battlefield. It implies that success can be achieved rapidly and effortlessly. Some people may wear clothing or accessories depicting horses or incorporate horse imagery in their homes for positive energy and fortune. During ancient times, horses were used to transport goods, kings, soldiers, and messages—the legend of the White Horse Temple tells the story of the origins of faith and China’s first Buddhist temple.
People born in the Year of the Horse are independent, enthusiastic, popular, cheerful, and quick to compliment others. said to be outgoing and cheerful and enjoy being part of a crowd, but only when they can take centre stage. Some famous folks with this birth year include Barbara Streisand, Clint Eastwood, Sandra Day O’Connor, George Soros, Vladimir Lenin, Paul McCartney, and Emma Watson.
Here’s to embracing your fire and expanding your financial success!
Also Featured in the January 2026 issue of my magazine:
MargueritaCheng.tv — Watch the webinar I did with my colleague Jon Clark, AIF®, VP, Advisor Channel Consulting, Sentinel Group for the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce, “EXPRESS Tech-Ready, Finance Steady.” Our topic: Financial Management and Retirement Planning — A guide for solopreneurs and business owners.
Margaritas with Marguerita: I am also excited to share the podcast, “Discover your Financial G-Spot,” that I did with author and business growth expert Robyn Crane, CPF®.
A speaker, trainer, and business growth expert, Robyn is known for hosting the TV show, The Financial G-Spot, where her mission is to help millions of people reach a place of ecstasy when it comes to their money and their relationships. Robyn is also a 4-Time #1 bestselling author. Her blueprint for financial and business success has been featured on ABC, NBC, Oprah’s magazine, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal.
An engaging and in-demand speaker, Robyn, after 10 years as a financial advisor, decided to devote her life to helping female financial professionals grow their businesses and make a bigger impact.
In her book, Make More Money, Help More People, Robyn reveals success strategies that helped her go from $500 a year to $500,000 a year in sales, in just 2 years, to over $1,000,000 a year in just 5 years.
Click here to listen to this podcast and more: MargueritaChengRadio.com • Watch the video version of our interviews on MargueritaCheng.tv.
2025 NEWS YOU CAN USEThe launch of ChatGPT led to a wave of democratization that’s made artificial intelligence (AI) useful in everyday life.
It’s no longer an esoteric technology that interests only nerds. Now, people use the technology to write, create images, edit videos, analyze data and write code.
As AI continues to impact every industry, the personal finance industry hasn’t been left behind. The AI-powered personal finance management market was valued at $1.48 billion in 2024, according to Research and Markets.
It’s projected to be a $1.63 billion market by the end of 2025, at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.1%, and a $2.37 billion market in 2029, at a CAGR of 9.8%.
From budgeting, saving and investing to robo-advising, financial coaching, credit scoring and debt management, AI continues to shape personal finance management, providing value across the globe.
Let’s look at some of the applications of AI in personal finance, the challenges with adopting AI and tips for wise usage of AI.
Click here to learn about AI and budgeting, AI investing and financial planning, AI and financial education, AI credit scoring and debt management, and perhaps most imporatantly — navigating the risks of AI in personal finance. Click here to read all about it on Kiplinger.com.
And there’s more:
Check out the media interviews and articles that I am quoted in or have have penned for publications including Kiplinger, USNews, and CNBC: Marguerita In the News.
The “Top 100 Money Expert List is live!” Congratulations to Marguerita Cheng!
Money’s Best: Marguerita Cheng is one of the Top Women Financial Planners 2025 — Marguerita Cheng CFP® Pro is one of Money’s choices for the top 30 women planners this year. The editors explain: “All highly qualified, customer-centric financial advisors who serve clients of all backgrounds. Whether you need comprehensive financial planning or niche expertise for a life transition, these financial experts are well-equipped to help you live a richer life. This list of the best financial planners is a collaboration between Money and the Financial Planning Association (FPA), a trade association and membership organization that represents more than 17,000 financial planners across the United States.” Click here to see the other CFPs who made the list.
Investment News named Marguerita Cheng one of its 2025 “Best Certified Financial Planners in the USA | 5-Star Financial Planners,”The news outlet reports “Americans are facing a growing need for guidance and support in their financial affairs and that trend doesn’t look like it’s going to end anytime soon. Not only are people wealthier, but their financial situations are more complex relative to previous generations due to more retirees relying on savings, an increase in the range of products available, and the explosion in alternative investments.
“Consulting giant McKinsey & Company estimates that “by 2034, at current advisor productivity levels, the advisor workforce will decline to the point where the industry faces a shortage of roughly 100,000 advisors.” The sharp demand for CFP services has pushed InvestmentNews’ 5-Star Financial Planners to stand out in a dynamic market by exemplifying excellence, integrity, and dedication in helping their clients. Marguerita was nominated and then benchmarked against others to determine the country’s best.
“While the winners have varying skill sets, a commonality is that the most successful financial planners specialize. They are serving a particular niche and have leveraged it to obtain a competitive edge,” the editors explain.