We all know that putting things off is all too easy. As the new year rolls around, many will be making resolutions to get organised. Is ending financial procrastination one of your goals?
What is financial procrastination?
Broadly speaking, financial procrastination refers to a tendency to delay or avoid financial decisions or tasks. Its impacts range from paying bills late to avoiding getting started on retirement planning.
In the busy modern world, it’s easy to overlook your financial to-do list. Other causes of financial procrastination include stress and confusion around managing money. Putting off financial tasks can impact more than your money: studies have linked procrastination to negative health outcomes such as depression and anxiety.
Signs you’re a financial procrastinator
The first step to fighting financial procrastination is to understand what it looks like. Do you fear making mistakes with money? Does a lack of confidence prevent you from taking control of your finances? Do you have low motivation or self-discipline with money?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or confused about your finances, have unclear goals and priorities, or experience strong negative emotions about money, you may be a financial procrastinator.
Take control of your finances
Thankfully, combatting financial procrastination can be relatively easy. The key remedy is to talk through your finances and develop a plan to take control. By establishing a series of financial goals and longer-term objectives and taking expert advice, you can make sure financial delays never hold you back again.
Information within this article is based on our current understanding and can be subject to change without notice and the accuracy and completeness of the information cannot be guaranteed.