This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
The Difference Between Short-Term V. Long-Term Thinking
She responded that she plans to sign up for the program sometime next year after she recovers from the Christmas holiday because she spent a lot of money on gifts.
And I thought to myself, “WHAT?! You invested in gifts over your own career?”
The Difference: Short-Term V. Long-Term Thinking
Short-term thinking will have you spending more money than you earn on an annual holiday versus investing in your career to increase your income.
And this is what happened to the lady I chatted with; instead of thinking long-term, she chose to engage in short-term behaviors that would not help her financially.
So now, not only is she prolonging her career development, but she is creating more debt for herself, putting herself at a career disadvantage, and decreasing the amount of money she can earn over her lifetime.
Which One Will You Choose?
For many people, the holiday shopping is mostly complete. For others, it’s just getting started.
You have the opportunity to change your habits now to help create a better financial situation for yourself in the New Year.
Remember, just because it’s the holiday season doesn’t mean you have to spend money.
I haven’t bought a single gift this holiday season. I might buy two gifts, but they won’t be Christmas gifts; they will just be thoughtful gifts and items the people need.
Years ago, I learned that buying Christmas gifts is unnecessary.
When you have money, you can get gifts and do thoughtful things for people whenever you like. You don’t have to wait to do it once a year.
If You Buy Gifts, Do These 4 Things:
Don’t go into debt.
Don’t buy any gifts that you feel pressured to buy.
Don’t sacrifice financial resources you need to utilize on yourself.
Don’t utilize money from savings or an emergency fund to buy gifts.
Don’t Procrastinate Increasing Your Income
The sooner you can increase your income, the better.
The longer you take to increase your income, the more money you miss out on earning over your lifetime.
Many people will hold out on asking for a raise, starting a business, getting a part-time gig, or seeking a higher-paying job because they’re waiting on some idyllic moment that never arrives.
There is no better time to increase your income than right now.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.