We struggle to commit to a long-term goal because of the initial hump – we just don’t know where to start. We can’t save for the future because we’re unsure about the present. Get over the initial hump using these three suggestions.
Identify your own motivations
You don’t have to picture yourself at 65 to start saving. Instead, picture the version of yourself one year ahead. You know in the next year you need to replace an aging laptop or car. Save for that version of yourself and once you achieve that goal focus on the long-term.
Understand the future benefits of saving
We can understand the future benefits of saving when you have met your short-term goals. Try setting a smaller saving goal, save $200 a month rather than $400. After a year, you will have saved $2,400 and you still get to enjoy a little bit of spending money each month. Now you’ve laid the foundation for your long-term goals. Like the Chinese proverb goes “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.”
Understand your pension
Get to know how your WISE Trust pension is saving money for your future self. A good jumping point to learning your pension is the Five Ws – Who, What, When, Where, and Why. Who is WISE Trust? What is a pension? When do I start making contributions? Where can I learn more? Why should I care about my pension?
Tip
Get the Five Ws answered by checking out Pension 101.
Now, you know where to start. Try one of these three suggestions to get saving for your future self. Good luck!