The “Later, When Life Changes” Trap
“I’ll take care of my financial life later, when…..” How would you fill in the blank?
I used to think I couldn’t benefit from a financial advisor until I had at least $100,000 in a retirement account, or a spouse sitting next to me, or a job that paid me well into the six-figures.
The reality was much different. Jumping on tax planning or estate planning earlier could’ve saved me precious time AND increased the value of my retirement accounts.
For years, I told myself I’d set up a trust later.
You know — later, when I got married.
It wasn’t that I didn’t think it was important. It just felt like the kind of thing couples did — the “when we” planning: when we buy a house, when we have kids, when we’re older.
But one day, “later” turned into my 40s, and I had to be honest with myself: maybe this single season wasn’t a short chapter. Maybe it was going to be a long and boundless journey — and if I was in my 40s and still waiting for someone else to make those decisions with, it was time to get my financial house in order on my own.
So I did.
I met with an attorney (and paid way more than the $750 my clients pay now through my process), set up my trust, and made it real.
I listed who gets my most meaningful keepsakes.
I outlined my funeral service — the songs, the readings, even the color of my urn.
And when it was all signed and sealed, something shifted. The weight I didn’t even realize I was carrying was suddenly gone.
Now, I review those documents every two years. It’s not morbid — it’s freeing. It’s peace of mind.
Waiting for “Later” Costs More Than You Think
That “later, when life changes” trap shows up everywhere in our financial lives.
We tell ourselves we’ll…
Start investing when we have more money.
Review our insurance when we have a family.
Create an estate plan when we have a spouse.
Meet with an advisor when things feel more “stable.”
But here’s the secret: things never feel perfectly stable. Life doesn’t send a calendar invite saying, “Congrats, you’re ready now.”
I learned that the hard way, too. Early in my career, I skipped Roth contributions because I thought I was being smart by lowering my taxable income. I didn’t realize that my tax bracket — under 15% — might have been the lowest I’d ever see again. If I’d started Roth contributions earlier, I’d have a nice chunk of tax-free retirement money now.
That mistake taught me this: waiting for “later” is expensive — financially and emotionally.
The Power of Doing It Now
Whether it’s setting up a trust, revisiting your insurance, or finally sitting down with a financial planner, doing it now is an act of self-respect. It’s how you take care of the woman you are today — and the one you’re becoming.
And if you’re single, it’s even more powerful. Because doing this on your own isn’t just about money — it’s about independence, confidence, and peace of mind.
You don’t need to wait for “later” to start building the life — and the legacy — you want.
Your turn:
What’s one financial decision you’ve been saving for “later”?
Maybe it’s time to give “later” an actual date.