Saving and Investing: 5 Powerful Reasons to Start Now
Take Control of Your Personal Finances. Build Wealth and Happiness Starting Today
By now, most people understand the importance of saving and investing for their future wealth. With so much personal finance advice available online and countless success stories of individuals who achieved financial freedom through smart investments and disciplined savings, it’s clear that the why is rarely questioned anymore. The real uncertainty lies in the when.
Let me say it clearly: the time to start is NOW.
Here are five good reasons for it.
1. If You Save and Invest Today, You Will Save and Invest Tomorrow
We are creatures of habit. Think about it—what you do today, you’re likely to repeat tomorrow. If I say, “Let me buy this extra handbag now; tomorrow I’ll start saving,” then tomorrow I might say, “This scarf is gorgeous; I’ll start budgeting next week.” And the cycle continues.
Breaking old habits starts now. Each time you choose to save instead of spend, you increase the chances of repeating that behavior. This applies not just to your finances, but to your health, productivity, and personal growth. One small change today can create a lasting impact over time.
If you need some motivation, I highly recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear (https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299). It truly lives up to the hype—and you can find it free on YouTube as an audio-book (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hh_rNTdx9t0)! I first listened to the free audio-book and liked it so much, that I purchased a hard copy.
“Your outcomes are a lagging measure of your habits. Your net worth is a lagging measure of your financial habits. Your weight is a lagging measure of your eating habits. Your knowledge is a lagging measure of your learning habits. Your clutter is a lagging measure of your cleaning habits. You get what you repeat.”
– James Clear
2. You Can Start Small and Still Achieve Big Financial Goals
A common misconception is that you must make drastic changes—cutting all spending and diving headfirst into the stock market. In reality, it’s perfectly fine—even smart—to start small.
Small, consistent actions build real momentum. Maybe you set aside just $10 a week or track your spending for a few days—these small habits add up faster than you think. Starting this way makes the process feel manageable, and more importantly, sustainable. You’ll feel more in control, and that sense of progress will boost your confidence and motivation to keep going.
In the beginning, keep your goals light and flexible. Try them out for a month or two—see what works, see what doesn’t. Then loop back, revise, and grow from there. This isn’t about being perfect; it’s about getting started and learning along the way. Every small step is a step toward financial freedom.
3. Financial Stability Improves Mental Well-Being
While it may take some time to change your financial situation and reach your financial freedom, improving your sense of well-being can start immediately with the right mindset.
According to the APA’s Stress in America 2023 survey (https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2023/collective-trauma-recovery), money remains a top source of stress across all age groups—particularly for 67% of people aged 35–44 who struggle to pay for essentials. Concerns include low savings, rising costs, and lack of retirement funds.
“The top significant sources of stress reported in 2023 among the 35 to 44 age cohort were money (77%) and the economy (74%).”
2023 Stress in America™ survey
Yet, almost half of U.S. adults feel embarrassed to talk about money. What the survey shows is that especially when it comes to finances, people are struggling alone.Research psychologists have found that social support is beneficial for everyone. Being part of a personal finance community through a blog or a Youtube channel, for example, is a great way to receive this social support quickly and in the most convenient way for you.
Even the act of starting to manage your finances boosts your mental health. Progress toward a goal builds energy, confidence, and a sense of purpose. And yes, research shows stress, when channeled positively, can be a powerful motivator for change.
4. You’ll Gain Life-Changing Skills
Managing your personal finances teaches you more than how to budget or invest. It’s an entryway into a lifelong learning journey.
You might pick up technical skills like budgeting with spreadsheets, using finance apps, or understanding how the economy works. More importantly, you’ll improve in areas like goal-setting, time management, reflection, and decision-making—skills that apply to your career, business ventures, relationships, and everyday life.
The best part? You control the pace and depth of your learning. Go as deep—or as simple—as you want. You’re in the driver’s seat.
5. You’ll Learn More About Yourself Than You Expect
We spend a lot of time learning about others—what influencers wear, eat, and do—but very little time reflecting on what we truly want.
Managing your money isn’t about hoarding wealth. It’s about discovering what matters to you and funding that life. If you don’t know what you value, how can you know how much money you need to pursue it?
That’s why starting point should always be—know yourself. Your goals will evolve, and that’s okay. Self-awareness is a lifelong process, and personal finance is one of the most direct ways to explore it.
Even reading this blog post might have already taught you something about yourself – Does the topic interest you? Would you like to learn more about it? Are you ready to take actions?
Start Your Financial Journey Today
If you’re ready to take control of your money and future, start taking actions. If you’re still exploring, that’s okay too. Take your time, read more, and stay curious.
A SmartyPurse tip: there’s a wealth of high-quality, free personal finance content online—don’t pay a cent before you’ve explored what’s out there.
Saving and investing aren’t just about building wealth—they’re about reclaiming your peace of mind, freedom, and purpose. And the best time to begin is right now.