Reasons People Don't Change:

• Lack of motivation. People may not be motivated to change their financial behavior because they don't see the need for change. They may be comfortable with their current financial situation, or they may not believe that they can change their behavior.
• Fear of failure. People may be afraid to change their financial behavior because they are afraid of failing. They may have tried to change their behavior in the past and failed, or they may have heard stories of other people who have failed to change their financial behavior.
• Ambivalence. People may be ambivalent about changing their financial behavior. They may see the benefits of change, but they may also see the costs of change. For example, they may want to save more money, but they may also enjoy spending money on things that they don't need.
• Habits. People's financial behavior is often habitual. They may have been spending money in a certain way for years, and it can be difficult to break those habits.
• External factors. People's financial behavior can also be influenced by external factors, such as their income, their expenses, and their personal circumstances. These factors can make it difficult to change financial behavior, even if someone is motivated to do so.

Increase Your Chances of Success:

• Set specific goals. People who want to change their financial behavior should set specific goals. For example, they might set a goal of saving a certain amount of money each month, or they might set a goal of paying off their debt within a certain period of time.
• Make a plan. Once people have set their goals, they need to make a plan to achieve them. This plan should include specific steps that people need to take, and it should also include a timeline for achieving their goals.
• Find support. People who are trying to change their financial behavior may find it helpful to find support from others. This could include talking to a financial advisor, joining a financial support group, or asking friends or family for help.
• Be patient. Changing financial behavior takes time and effort. People should not expect to see results overnight. They should be patient and persistent, and they should not give up if they have a setback.

Changing financial behavior can be challenging, but it is possible. 

Are you getting what you want or are you putting yourselves in a position someone could try and get the better of you?

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Telton W Hall, CFP® is a husband, father, retirement planning expert, small-town-boy at heart, nationally published author, sought-after speaker, former college basketball player, founder/owner/team member of Utah based Advanced Financial Planning LLC, hiking enthusiast, Jesus follower, business leader, team builder, and to the core Telton is an educator.