We all have good intentions: • “I’ll start saving later.” • “I’ll invest later.” • “I’ll plan for retirement later.” • “I’ll learn about wealth-building later.”
But let’s be honest: LATER is often just a polite way of saying NEVER. Most of us don’t actively decide to put off important financial moves - we convince ourselves we are just waiting for the “right time.” The time when we have more money, more knowledge, more certainty. But here’s the truth: That “right time” rarely arrives.
Every time we push something to “later,” we are making a choice, even if we don’t realize it. Let’s consider an investing example. Imagine two people: Person A starts investing £200 per month at age 25 and stops at 35. Person B waits until 35 and then invests £200 per month until 55. Even though Person B invests for twice as long, Person A will likely end up wealthier. Why? Because compound interest rewards those who start early. By waiting, Person B lost an entire decade of compounding growth - a cost that cannot be recovered.
The same principle applies beyond investing. The business you postpone? Someone else will launch it while you hesitate. The career move you delay? The perfect opportunity may no longer exist when you're finally ready. The financial education you put off? Every day without it is a day you could have been making better money decisions. Every delay has a price. But because the cost is invisible in the moment, we don’t feel the urgency, until it’s too late.
So how do I escape the ‘Later’ trap?
1. Embrace Imperfect Action:
The key to overcoming ambiguity aversion is taking small but decisive steps despite uncertainty. Start now, even if it’s just opening a savings account or researching your first investment.
2. Shift from “Later” to “Now”:
Vague intentions don’t create change. Instead of saying, “I’ll start investing soon,” commit to “I’ll open an investment account by March 1st.”
3. Ditch Black-and-White Thinking:
Many people wait because they want the perfect investment, the perfect time, or the perfect financial decision. But wealth-building isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being consistent.
A final thought: If you had started the financial habit you’d been putting off five years ago, where would you be today? Now flip that forward: if you keep postponing it, where will you be five years from now? The future will arrive either way. The question is: Will you be ready for it or still waiting for the perfect time?
About Nike
Oyenike Adetoye (aka Nike) is an impactful speaker, author and personal finance expert. A Chartered Management Accountant by profession. Nike is the founder and CEO of LifTED Finance, a private financial firm that educates, coaches and supports people on their journey through financial fitness and wealth management.