Wednesday, 17 September 2025

If You Could Go Back, What’s One Financial Decision You’d Change?

We all have those “if only I knew then what I know now” moments—especially when it comes to money. For some, it’s a missed investment opportunity. For others, it’s the debt that spiraled out of control, or the lifestyle spending that ate into savings. Looking back can sting, but it also holds powerful lessons that can shape how we move forward. 

Common Financial Regrets People Share 

When I ask clients this question, these are the most common answers I hear: 

  • Taking on debt too easily – Credit cards, payday loans, or buy-now-pay-later accounts that felt manageable at first but snowballed into stress. 
  • Not starting to save or invest earlier – Even small amounts could have grown significantly over time with compounding. 
  • Ignoring their credit score – Waiting until they needed a loan to realize how much past decisions hurt their chances. 
  • Living beyond their means – Lifestyle upgrades that seemed harmless but left no buffer for emergencies. 
  • Not asking for help sooner – Trying to “fix it alone” and losing valuable time before taking action. 

Why Looking Back Helps You Move Forward 

Dwelling on past mistakes doesn’t serve you—but learning from them does. The truth is, every financial misstep carries a hidden gift: it forces you to get clear about what really matters and what you want to change. The key is not to repeat the same pattern. 

Instead of asking, “Why did I do that?”, shift the focus to “What will I do differently from now on?” That’s where financial growth happens. 

My Personal Answer 

If I could go back, the one financial decision I’d change would be [insert your personal story here—e.g., not understanding the long-term cost of interest when using credit cards, or refinancing too often without addressing spending habits]. 

Sharing your own example makes this relatable and shows others that everyone, no matter how experienced, has had financial regrets. 

Turning Regret Into a New Beginning 

The most powerful part about this question is that it creates a clear contrast: 

  • Here’s what I did then. 
  • Here’s what I would do now. 

That contrast is where your new financial story begins. Whether it’s finally tackling debt, setting up a savings buffer, or repairing your credit, you have the ability to write a better future—starting today.