Choosing financial security over instant gratification

Living in a world that prioritises instant rewards

We live in a society motivated by solving short-term wants, often without considering the long-term financial trade-offs. For many, the temptation to spend now can overshadow the quiet power of consistent, incremental investing – a practice that takes significant discipline and is something that we should all be more aware of.

While this challenge affects everyone, the pressures influencing how and where women choose to spend or save are particularly complex. In addition, they are often shaped by societal expectations and deeply ingrained cultural norms.

Society places enormous pressure on women to maintain a certain appearance – from flawless skin to sleek hair, manicured nails, and curated wardrobes. This expectation is amplified by marketing strategies, influencer culture, social media filters, and the very real ‘pink tax’ on personal care products and services.

As a result, many women spend a substantial portion of their disposable income on beauty and grooming to fit into the perceived expectation. The question is, what if just a fraction of that spend was redirected towards your future self instead?

Let’s talk numbers

Here’s what the numbers say. Let’s say you cut back R500 per month on non-essential beauty spending and invest that amount instead. If we assume the annual cost increases on those products amount to 6% (CPI), and assume the annual growth rate on these funds you invest is 10%, then the potential outcome over time could be as follows:

These calculations don’t factor in the use of investing funds in tax-efficient products, which could result in even greater savings.

This simple shift illustrates the power of delayed gratification and compounding, which allows your money to generate returns on both your contributions and the growth they achieve over time.

The best math you can learn is how to calculate the future cost of your current decisions.

Why does this matter?

The principle of delayed gratification touches several key elements of sound financial planning:

Time value of money

A rand today is worth a lot more than a rand tomorrow, because of its earning potential. The earlier you start, the more your money works for you through compounding growth.

Opportunity cost

Every rand spent today represents an opportunity foregone. By choosing instant gratification, you give up the potential long-term returns that could have been earned on that capital.

Inflation adjustment

Many investors underestimate the erosive impact of inflation. By increasing your contributions annually in line with inflation, your investment maintains its real purchasing power over time.

Behavioural finance and habit formation

Let’s be honest – remaining disciplined with your finances is not always easy. However, small but sustainable behavioural shifts often have a greater impact on financial outcomes than major, inconsistent actions. The discipline to consistently save and invest even modest amounts compounds into meaningful wealth over time.

Goal-based planning

Redirecting discretionary spending into a structured investment plan aligns financial behaviour with long-term goals, whether it’s retirement, financial independence, or generational wealth creation. So change the narrative – delaying gratification is not about deprivation. It’s about making intentional choices that support your future financial security.

Forging a different path

Imagine the peace of mind that will come from knowing you’ve built an investment portfolio while others have been chasing fleeting trends. It’s the difference between temporary satisfaction and long-term financial resilience. Your future self will thank you.

The path to wealth is often less about large, one-off windfalls and more about the consistent redirection of everyday choices. A few hundred rands invested wisely today can translate into hundreds of thousands tomorrow.

It is important to take a step back and really understand what you are spending your hard-earned money on. This gives you a better view of how your spending decisions will serve you – now as well as in the future. If your current spending habits are not serving you, it’s time to create a better financial plan.

Support on your journey

My advice to investors is to always seek input from a professional financial adviser to assist them on their financial journeys. Financial advisers are not only equipped to advise on your finances, they also play a vital role in educating clients on investment products and money mindsets. They are also your financial coach – helping you to stay the course to reach your goals. By reframing small, everyday expenses as future assets, financial advisers empower individuals to take control of their financial destiny.

“Maturity is the ability to postpone gratification.” – Sigmund Freud