Time Waits for No One

The biggest asset we have is time if we take advantage of it.

We tell ourselves that things can wait or I will get to that next week. Then, weeks go by and we still did not do what we said we would.

Someone might say, when I lose some weight then I will start to exercise. Or think, when I get a raise, I will start to save. When I get some overtime, I’ll plan a vacation. After I work 80 hours, I’ll spend some time with my family. The time that is wasted we can never get back.

The perfect time to get started is now.

If you want to make more money, plan a strategy to ask for a raise or promotion. You may want to consider changing jobs and finding a new position with higher pay.

In planning for retirement, time is on your side if you start early. You can potentially miss out on maximizing your wealth if you wait. For example, if you save $500 per month for retirement beginning at age 30 you will have $983,310 by age 67. If you start saving the same amount at age 50, then you will have $193,880 by age 67. That is a difference of $789,430. It is crucial that you begin saving for retirement as early as possible.

If spending time with your family is a priority, then make time for it. Schedule a family outing or a night in, put it on your calendar and make it nonnegotiable if work comes up. Kids grow up fast and parents’ age. No one wants to look back and think they missed out because they kept putting off time with their loved ones.

If getting fit and taking care of your health is something you want, then hire a personal trainer to help motivate you. They can develop a meal plan that suits you and guide you in following an exercise schedule that will lead you to your goal.

Time is not on our side in the big picture. Stop making excuses about when you are going to get started and just take that step and do it for yourself.

If you did not accomplish what you think you should have by now, then do some self-reflection and focus on what is most important to you and start there.

A money manager, CPA, financial planner, attorney, life coach or gym trainer can all be the perfect mentors to guide you in reaching your goals. Stop wasting time that you will never get back. Start today.