The Cost of Procrastination
Some of us share a common experience. You're driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops.
“Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?”
You've experienced one of the costs of procrastination.
"Procrastination can cause missed deadlines, missed opportunities, and just plain missing out."
Procrastination is avoiding a task that needs to be done—postponing until tomorrow what could be done today. Procrastinators can sabotage themselves. They often put obstacles in their own path. They may choose paths that hurt their performance.
Though Mark Twain famously quipped, “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow,” we know that procrastination can be detrimental, both in our personal and professional lives. Problems with procrastination in the business world have led to a sizable industry in books, articles, workshops, videos, and other products created to deal with the issue. There are a number of theories about why people procrastinate, but whatever the psychology behind it, procrastination may cost money—particularly when investments and financial decisions are put off.
As the illustration below shows, putting off investing may put off potential returns.
If you have been meaning to get around to addressing some part of your financial future, maybe it's time to develop a strategy. Don't let procrastination keep you from pursuing your financial goals.
Early Bird
Let's look at the case of Cindy and Charlie, who each invest $100,000.
Charlie immediately begins depositing $10,000 a year in an account that earns a 6% rate of return. Then, after 10 years, he stops making deposits.
Cindy waits 10 years before getting started. She then starts to invest $10,000 a year for 10 years into an account that also earns a 6% rate of return.
Cindy and Charlie have both invested the same $100,000. However, Charlie's balance is higher at the end of 20 years because his account has more time for the investment returns to compound.
This is a hypothetical example of mathematical compounding. It’s used for comparison purposes only and is not intended to represent the past or future performance of any investment. Taxes and investment costs were not considered in this example.
In conclusion, the experience of facing the consequences of procrastination is all too familiar for many of us. In the realm of personal finance, procrastination can translate to missed investment opportunities and delayed financial security. The story of Cindy and Charlie illustrates this point vividly: starting early and consistently investing can lead to significantly greater returns over time, underscoring the importance of taking action sooner rather than later. So, if you've been putting off addressing your financial future, now is the time to develop a strategy and take proactive steps towards achieving your goals. Don't let procrastination stand in the way of your financial success.