Many people don’t set goals for one big emotional reason. We’ll feel guilt if we don’t start them.
But why not use this uncomfortable feeling to your advantage?
If you had a goal of working out, got the gym membership and then drove by every day but didn’t go, you’d likely feel some pangs of guilt. That’s a good thing as long as it motivates you to stop in eventually.
The same logic applies with setting up an RRSP or TFSA. Even if you don’t have money to invest now, having the account set up will start to send signals to your brain to find money to save.
And then you can turn that guilt into a pat on the back when your new positive actions take root.
To discover more money traps and how to correct them, get your copy of Talk Money to Me: Save Well, Spend Some, and Feel Good About Your Money in stores December 17th and available at Amazon and Chapters for pre-order now.
As the Consumer Advocate for FP Canada, I know that financial literacy is paramount to your well-being. Equally important to your long-term success is working with a qualified professional. To find a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional in your area that will help guide you on all matters of money, check out this Find Your Planner tool.
FP Canada is a national professional body working in the public interest (formerly known as the Financial Planning Standards Council). FP Canada is dedicated to fostering better financial health for Canadians by certifying professional financial planners and leading the advancement of professional financial planning in Canada.
For more on financial planning and how to get started, watch What is a financial planner? and What is a financial plan?