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.
What bullsh*t excuse have you been using to delay investing?
Person A: Are you investing?
Person B: No, because my company doesn’t offer a 401k.
I’ll list some of them:
It’s too complicated.
I’m not good at math.
I don’t know how to invest.
I don’t have enough money.
My home is my investment.
My company doesn’t offer a 401k.
It’s too late for me to start investing.
I don’t earn enough money to invest.
I’m putting all my money into my home.
My company doesn’t offer 401k matching.
I’ll get to it eventually, but it’s not a priority.
I would never put my money into the stock market.
I know better than to invest my money in the stock market.
Most people who don’t invest will always broke or severely limit their financial outcomes.
The only proper way to build exponential wealth is via investing.
Compound interest is only friends with the investor.
Not the saver.
Compound interest is also friends with the overspender – except in their case, compound interest works against them instead of FOR them.
Employers Aren’t Responsible For Your Finances
One way a person can improve their life is by taking responsibility for their outcomes.
Most outcomes depend entirely on the person we see in the mirror.
Delaying investing or blaming your financial situation on an employer is one of the most powerless moves you could ever make.
Your employer will never determine your financial disposition because you are not their financial responsibility.
Your financial responsibility falls on you.
If Your Employer Doesn’t Offer A 401k (Or Match)
Open a brokerage account and start investing on your own.
And if you don’t know how to invest, pick up a book and learn about it.
Aim to pick a company to invest with that offers the lowest fee structure, such as Vanguard.
The more fees you pay, the more you negatively impact your future wealth.
Become Employer Independent
Whenever I work for an employer that doesn’t offer a 401k plan, I’m chill about it.
I continue my investment pursuits all the same because I will never leave my financial future to someone else. I never cease investing 401ks are bonuses, not the priority.
The more excuses you make for why you can’t invest, the less wealth you’re building.
Review the excuses above I’ve heard for why people aren’t investing.
Every single one of those people still needs to catch up on their retirement and savings goals.
Many are living paycheck to paycheck.
And all of them could be in a better financial position if they took a more active role in their finances instead of putting an excuse out in the universe.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.