Planning for Retirement: Beware the Evil Clock

In the world of personal finance, there are many obstacles to wealth-building, but few are as cunning and deceptive as the Evil Clock. This villain lurks in the shadows of your daily decisions, whispering that you have plenty of time before you need to start planning for your financial future. Before you know it, years have passed, opportunities have slipped away, and financial security remains just out of reach.

The "Evil Clock" is a time villain stealing your wealth and opportunity.

The Evil Clock’s Devious Deception

The Evil Clock wasn’t always a villain. He was once just a young clock, angry at his father, Father Time, for never paying him attention. Seeking revenge, he decided to spread confusion and procrastination among those trying to build wealth.

His primary weapon? The illusion that you have “plenty of time” to start saving and investing. Why worry about financial planning today when you can start next week, next month, or next year? After all, retirement is decades away, right?

But the Evil Clock is a master manipulator. As people became more financially savvy, he evolved his tactics. Now, he convinces people that their time horizon—the length of time they need their money to last—is merely the number of years until retirement. In reality, the true time horizon extends through your entire lifetime, meaning that a 60-year-old retiring in two years might actually have a 40-year time horizon.

How the Evil Clock Steals Your Wealth When Planning for Retirement

One of the most dangerous tricks in the Evil Clock’s arsenal is the delay of investing. Consider two investors:

Sally started investing at age 11, saving just $1,000 per year for 10 years, then stopped adding to her investments.
Steve waited until age 25 to start, investing $1,000 every year for 41 years.

Investing early makes a big difference in the long run

Even though Steve contributed more than four times what Sally did, by the time they both reached 65, Sally had accumulated significantly more wealth. The power of compounding had worked in her favor, while the Evil Clock had tricked Steve into thinking he had plenty of time before he needed to start.

Defeating the Evil Clock

So how do you defeat this cunning financial villain? The key is to harness your financial superpower: consistent execution.

Related Article: Super Power #3

1. Start Now

The sooner you begin saving and investing, the more you’ll benefit from compound growth. Even small contributions today can lead to massive results down the line.

2. Reframe Your Time Horizon

Don’t just think about when you retire—think about how long your money needs to last. Many people will need their investments to support them for 30-40 years after they stop working.

3. Stick to a Plan

Reacting to market fluctuations out of fear can lead to costly mistakes. The Evil Clock thrives on financial uncertainty, convincing people to pull out of investments at the wrong time. Instead, stick to a plan that doesn’t rely on emotions for direction.

4. Educate the Next Generation

If you have kids, teaching them about the importance of early investing can set them up for a lifetime of financial success. The Evil Clock loses power over those who understand the benefits of time and consistency.

Final Thoughts

The Evil Clock is relentless, but he can be beaten. By taking action today—no matter how small—you can ensure that time works for you, not against you. The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time? Right now.

Zig Ziggler famously said "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." So let's get started.