How to Avoid Costly Money Mistakes and Close the Behaviour Gap

I Should Have Sorted This Out Sooner.

This is one of the most common phrases I hear when people talk about money.

Successful professionals, people who have worked hard and achieved so much in their careers, often feel like they’re falling behind financially. Outside the office, the confidence fades, and doubt creeps in.

They feel like they should have done more by now:

• Paid off the mortgage.

• Moved into the next dream home.

• Built a solid investment portfolio.

They’ve usually started on these goals at some point. But small roadblocks pop up—life gets busy, plans stall, and things slip through the cracks.

That’s where financial advice comes in. My role is to help spot as many of those roadblocks upfront as possible and guide clients through the ones we don’t see coming. All while keeping their goals in focus and ensuring they’re living the life they want today.

Because financial planning isn’t about quick wins or a one-off fix. It’s a process—a journey that can take months or years to make progress towards what really matters.

When Life Gets in the Way

The other day, I spoke with a new client who’d become hesitant about investing. They’d had a tough time:

• They lost money on a property deal.

• A few years later, they took a hit on shares.

These experiences left them feeling unsure of their next steps.

But when we looked back, the story had a twist: the property and shares they sold had since doubled in value. The issue wasn’t the investments. It was life.

Lifestyle decisions like upgrading their home and committing to school fees had forced them to sell at the wrong time.

It’s a common story. The reality is that investment returns come from holding onto quality assets, but personal returns often fall short because life can get in the way.

In financial planning, we call this the behaviour gap—the difference between the returns your investments generate and the returns you actually achieve because of emotional or situational decisions.

My role is to help reduce, or even eliminate, that gap. Together, we build a strategy that accounts for life’s twists and turns, so you can stay on track and not miss out on the long-term potential.

Avoiding the Comparison Trap

Another roadblock I see all too often is the comparison trap.

It’s natural to measure yourself against others, but it’s rarely helpful—especially when it comes to money.

You might think, “They’ve paid off their mortgage,” or, “Why am I not further ahead like them?” But comparison only adds unnecessary pressure.

The real power comes from choosing the right game: your game.

Want to know more?

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The information contained in this article is general information only. It is not intended to be a recommendation, offer, advice or invitation to purchase, sell or otherwise deal in securities or other investments. Before making any decision in respect to a financial product, you should seek advice from an appropriately qualified professional. We believe that the information contained in this document is accurate. However, we are not specifically licensed to provide tax or legal advice and any information that may relate to you should be confirmed with your tax or legal adviser.