Winning The Money Mind Games

1. Bigger is better

Consider the purchase of a new car. You have just spent $35,000, so when the salesperson offers you a special deal – a $700 upgrade pack including a towbar, carpet mats and alloy wheels – it seems like a bargain. But would you happily go out today and spend $700 elsewhere? How many grocery trips does that represent? And many of us will grab the opportunity to buy a $100 item that has had its price slashed to $50. But if a $5000 item is discounted to $4950, then the $50 saving is not nearly as attractive. Remember that a dollar is always worth a dollar, no matter how much or how little the related purchase happens to be.

2. Discounted = good value

It is increasingly rare to see a price ticket that is not marked down. But is the $130 jacket, marked down from $210, actually better value or better quality than the $100 jacket in the shop next door? Ignore the higher price (known as an ‘anchor’, intended to make the discounted price seem cheap) and consider the actual value. This works in several other situations. For instance, many restaurant menus offer a high-priced entrée and main to make the other options seem cheap. And in your local electronics store, the fancy $500 toaster is only really there to make the $140 toaster seem like a bargain.

3. Gifted money is not worth investing

You receive money as a gift so instead of adding it to savings, investment or retirement funds, you put it straight into the spending budget. Your mind is de-valuing the money, because it was a gift. In other words, you didn’t have to work for it, so it is somehow of less value or not worthy of investment. But if you regularly invest a specific percentage of your income, then consider investing the same percentage (or more) of gifted money.

4. Small change is of little value

How much small change do we leave lying around, or in a container, or in the glove box, then happily spend it on little things without a second thought? But consider that a small money box for children can easily hold $400 in gold coins, and suddenly that small change becomes a very real driver of financial change. The same goes for small pay rises, which may not seem to make any difference right now but can make a very real difference over the long term.

5. Money buys happiness now

Buying something today produces a very measurable result. Saving for the future and putting money into superannuation or investments is difficult to quantify in terms of lifestyle. So make it quantifiable. Figure out your average monthly expenditure and buy future months of happiness with your savings and investments.

6. Reduced mortgage repayments represent a saving

In an environment of low interest rates, many home owners have been offered a drop in mortgage repayments. That is great for our household budgets, right? But consider that if you drop your repayments, you will spend more on the mortgage in the long run and will lose more money in interest, as you take longer paying off the mortgage compared to keeping your repayments at the same level.

Changing your money mindset

If you want to know more about how to separate money from emotion, your financial adviser should be the first person you speak to. They will help you change your money mindset so you can recognise traps and win the money mind games.

Making the decision to see engage with our financial planning services means that you want to make a positive difference to your personal financial future. We truly believe everyone needs a financial plan. We can help you to understand the intricacies of investing, taxation, and the ever-changing legislation around superannuation. Our finance advice can really make a difference to you by helping you identify realistic goals, and put strategies in place to achieve them.

Are you ready to take control of your personal finances?
Get the SMART team working with you. Call SMART Business Solutions Financial Planning on 03 5911 7000 or reception@smartfinancialplanning.com.au.

Important information: This document contains general advice. It does not take account of your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should consider talking to a financial adviser before making a financial decision.