I have two young boys, and if there is one phrase I get more tired of hearing than any other, it’s “I’ll do it later.” Part of why I dislike this phrase is that it sounds like a reasonable justification for delaying a task that isn’t urgent, when in reality it’s often a refusal to do what needs to be done, disguised as responsibility. My kids know that if I ask them to do something and they simply say no, there will be consequences. So instead, they take the passive-aggressive route and promise they’ll get to it “later.”

Unfortunately, as adults, many of us are guilty of the very same behavior when it comes to our finances. Most of us carry a financial “to-do” list, if not on paper, then at least in our heads. But life gets busy, priorities pile up, and just like our children, we convince ourselves we’ll take care of these things later.

There’s an old proverb that says, “Later becomes never more often than we think.” This is especially true when it comes to things we don’t enjoy doing. Saving for retirement, purchasing life insurance, updating beneficiaries, creating an estate plan, none of these tasks are particularly fun. They also don’t feel particularly urgent, until suddenly they are.

Ask any senior struggling on a fixed income, or the loved one of someone who passed away without their affairs in order, and they will tell you just how significant the emotional and financial consequences of delaying these things can be.

Part of our human nature is to rationalize putting off these financial chores by assuming we have plenty of time. We tell ourselves that the future version of us will be less busy, more focused, and better equipped to handle what we’re avoiding today. Yet life rarely slows down, if anything, it only gets busier. By convincing ourselves there will be more time later, we overlook the reality that time isn’t something we find; it’s something we make. And the longer we wait, the fewer options we tend to have.

The truth is, even if it doesn’t feel like it, the present season of your life is likely the most opportune one left in which to act. That makes now the right time to start addressing the financial tasks you’ve been putting off.

For those who feel overwhelmed or unsure where to begin, my advice is simple: start by writing down the things you need to do. This small step alone can create a sense of clarity and confidence. Often, people discover that their list is shorter and more manageable than they imagined.

From there, prioritize your list from most to least important and begin taking small, intentional steps toward checking the items off. If you’re unsure what should be on your list or feel like something may be missing, a financial advisor can help identify gaps or areas that may be long overdue for attention. Remember, progress doesn’t require perfection, just action.

(Past performance is no guarantee of future results. The advice is general in nature and not intended for specific situations)