⚡ Year-End Money Move Every Man Should Make

Two Thanksgiving Cocktails That Actually Deliver

Thanksgiving means football, food, and family you won't see again until next year. Here are two cocktails that handle all three.

Maple Old Fashioned
A fall upgrade to the classic that actually works.

What You Need:

How to Make It: Add bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass. Strain into a rocks glass over ice. Express an orange peel over the top and drop it in.

Richer than the standard. Still balanced. Better for the holidays.

Apple Pie on the Rocks
All the fall flavor. None of the effort.

What You Need:

How to Make It: Rim your glass with cinnamon-sugar. Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake until cold. Pour over fresh ice.

Simple. Seasonal. Goes down easy.

Before December 31 hits, get as much money as possible into tax-advantaged accounts. It's the smartest move most men ignore.

Pre-tax accounts—401(k), HSA, traditional IRA—lower your taxable income now and let your money grow tax-deferred for decades. Legal financial leverage that actually works.

What to check right now:

401(k) pace: The 2025 limit is $23,500 ($31,000 if you're 50+). Not on track? Bump your final paychecks. Small increases compound.

Employer match: If you're not getting the full match, you're leaving guaranteed money on the table. Fix it.

HSA: If you're in a high-deductible health plan, max this. Tax-deductible contributions, tax-free growth, tax-free withdrawals for medical expenses. Triple tax advantage.

IRA: $7,000 limit ($8,000 if 50+). Deductibility depends on your income and whether you have a workplace plan. If you qualify, use it.

Bottom line: You don't need to max everything. But every dollar you shelter from taxes grows faster than money sitting exposed.

Wealth is built, not rushed.

Holiday gatherings have a pattern: You walk in, you grab a drink, you start snacking, and suddenly you’ve inhaled 600 calories of carbs before dinner even starts.

Here’s the simple, Mettle-approved way to stay in control without acting like a monk:

Protein + water before anything else. This isn’t dieting. It’s anchoring.

Protein first (20–30g before you leave or right when you arrive):
– A quick protein shake
– Greek yogurt
– A couple hard-boiled eggs
– Leftover chicken or turkey
Protein switches on satiety, protects muscle, and blunts the carb free-for-all.

Water next (12–16 oz):
Hydration slows down drinking speed, stabilizes appetite, and keeps your first cocktail from hitting like a truck.

Then? Enjoy the apps and the drinks.
You’ll eat slower. You’ll drink smarter. You’ll feel better the next day.
And you won’t white-knuckle your way through every cheese board.

The Mettle Take:
Protein + water isn’t a diet hack. It’s a pre-game routine that lets you enjoy the night without losing the plot.

Train with focus, fuel with purpose.