Why do people commit FINANCIAL suicide ?

 

Why do people commit FINANCIAL suicide ?

Would you ever drive a car if you do not know driving?

Obviously not because you could kill yourself.However, if you were told that the outcome of the accident would be felt after 40 years.

What would you do then?

Perhaps most of us would take to driving despite lack of knowledge.After all 40 years is a long time. Who cares what happens then.

Human nature is such that we are only concerned about our immediate future.

Unfortunately, this is the principle commonly applied by people in 'personal investing'.

Therefore it is not surprising that we continue investing in Fixed Deposits. After all the consequences of such financial misadventures has no immediate impact.

Most people investing in Fixed Deposits are earning either 'business' income or a 'salary' income that takes care of their immediate needs.

Who really cares what happens in the distant future?

People conveniently reason it out that they will cross the bridge when the time comes. But this 'thinking' is extremely dangerous to say the least.

When people do not make the right decisions about investing during the good days of their lives when they are young and energetic, they will find no bridge to cross during their 'not so good' days when old age strikes them.

As far as investing is concerned, 'delays' certainly prove to be costly.

Also, we need to realise what appears to be a distant future isn't so distant after all for 'time' flies and how.

Therefore, it is actually dangerous to make 'personal finance' decisions without consulting an expert in Personal Finance.

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Instant Gratification

 

Instant gratification

Nobody may admit but we all suffer from a disease called 'instant gratification'.

We hate it when we do not get instant delivery of our TV, our car or our food order. No wonder instant coffee is such a hit among coffee drinkers and instant food is big business.

When it comes to personal finance, instant profits is what the heart yearns for. Hence the one year return sells the most even though it is a faulty strategy.

Patience is the winning strategy but detested by most. We want to instantly be rich, instantly be good looking, instantly grow tall and so on.

It takes determination to find success. It takes years of practice to become a master. It takes years of exercise to get your body into shape. It takes years of studies to sharpen the mind.

Similarly it will take years of SIP to grow your wealth.

The problem is doing repetitive things for years together is boring requiring loads of determination.

Every morning someone find it difficult to muster the determination to go for a swim even though it is a daily routine.

After much coaxing his inner self he enter the pool. The first few laps are a bit difficult requiring some determination but soon it gets easier and the body moves into auto pilot mode. The next few laps are effortless and towards the end of his swim the body feels so good that one wants to do a little more.

The same holds good for SIP investing too. It may feel boring and meaningless because there isn't any instant gratification. The wait seems long. The first few instalments too seem painfully boring. Many times the thought to discontinue comes to mind.

But those who are able to cross this phase will soon start experiencing auto pilot feeling. Now you are cruising. Over a period of time when the wealth starts to show up you just want to go on and on.

The disease is 'instant gratification' and the remedy is will power and behaviour change that needs to be sustained. The result is beautiful for those who have the power to go on and on without flinching.

An financial coach can guide you, show the way, encourage you but it is you who has to make it happen with grit and determination.

It is interesting to note that more than intelligence, discipline and determination makes you win the wealth creation race. 

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