Has this happened to you?
You promise yourself you’ll save this month. Then a craving shows up, a deal, a dinner you “couldn’t say no to”. Or you decide to invest and, the moment the market drops, you panic and sell. Then you feel bad, frustrated… and the cycle repeats.
Relax. You’re not alone. It’s not that you’re weak. You’re just fighting your own brain.
The 7 biases that sabotage your money
Our brains evolved to survive, not to optimize a savings account. These biases show up daily (even if you don’t notice):
- Present bias: we prefer a reward now (new phone) over a bigger reward later (a calmer future).
- Overconfidence: we think “I’ve got this”… until we don’t.
- Loss aversion: losing €50 hurts more than gaining €50 feels good.
- Anchoring: we decide based on a number that shouldn’t matter (do you really need that TV just because it’s “discounted”?).
- Social comparison: we spend to avoid “falling behind”.
- Confirmation bias: we look for info that supports what we already want to do.
- Decision fatigue: we make worse choices when tired or overloaded (that’s why late‑day spending is a thing).
The solution: design a system that protects you from yourself
Your brain will always have impulses. The goal isn’t to erase them—it’s to stop them from driving your finances. A simple system, with automation and clear rules, removes the most dangerous part: making decisions “in the heat of the moment”.
You don’t need perfection. You just need not to rely on willpower.
1) Calm: an emergency fund
Before investing, build safety. Save 3 to 6 months of expenses and keep it in a separate account (ideally with no card attached). It’s not for spending—it’s your buffer against chaos.
2) Progress: automatic investing
Choose a monthly amount (even small) and set up an automatic transfer to your savings/investment. That way you don’t have to “decide” every month. It’s already done.
3) Life: intentional spending, not guilt
This isn’t about deprivation. Decide in advance what you want to spend on: treats, dinners, trips. Spend it without guilt. Outside that limit, no more. You’re in charge.
Actions you can do today (15 minutes)
- Create a separate emergency‑fund account and transfer what you can right now.
- Set an automatic transfer the day after payday—even if it’s €20.
- Create a rule for impulse spending: for example, wait 48 hours before buying anything unplanned.
And when you face an important money decision, ask yourself:
- Does this fit my goal?
- Do I need it now, or do I just want it now?
- Am I acting from calm—or from emotion?
To finish: you don’t need perfection—just a start
Money decisions aren’t just numbers: they’re emotions, beliefs, and habits. They don’t change overnight. But you can build a system that works with you, not against you.
Feeling stuck? Making decisions you later regret? Message me and tell me where you want to start. Sometimes, just talking it through unlocks the next step.
