FOBO: The Silent Saboteur of Wealth
“In the face of too many choices, we often choose nothing—and pay dearly for it.” (Barry Schwartz, The Paradox of Choice)
Everyone knows about FOMO. But have you even heard of FOBO, let alone contemplated how it might be kaiboshing your wealth targets? Fear of Better Options is a clear and present danger…
The buffet of endless choices
There’s a lot to take in these days. From streaming services to investment vehicles, we scroll, compare and hover. FOBO thrives in this abundance. It’s that mental loop that has you refreshing flight prices at 2 a.m., convinced that tomorrow is the day you’ll find the perfect deal. But tomorrow seldom comes…
This is due to choice overload, a concept widely studied by psychologist Barry Schwartz. When our minds feel overloaded with choices, our cognitive reserves become fatigued, rendering us averse to making decisions and less happy with the ones we do make.
The neuroscience of hesitation
FOBO isn’t frivolous; it’s neurological. When faced with uncertainty, the prefrontal cortex activates, scanning for future regret. This overprotective mechanism, rooted in loss aversion, locks us into indecision. Daniel Kahneman’s research confirms this: humans fear losses more than they value gains. The result? Paralysis disguised as prudence.
Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio adds that emotion plays a critical role in decision-making. When we anticipate regret, the brain’s emotional centres (like the amygdala) amplify risk signals, even when the actual risk is low. This leads to anticipatory anxiety, which fuels FOBO’s grip.
FOBO in everyday life
We’ve all seen and experienced it:
- Abandoned online shopping carts after you get tired of reading all the reviews.
- Not being able to choose between linguine, pappardelle and farfalle.
- Reluctance to book flights, waiting for a mythical price drop.
While FOBO is annoying in everyday life, when it comes to financial decisions, FOBO becomes a thief. Think of the damage that can come from delaying investments due to market jitters. Or the costs that will accrue from not changing your medical aid at the end of the year, even though you know you’re not on the best plan for your family.
The perfectionism trap
Maladaptive perfectionism, a psychological trait in which people fear making mistakes more than they value progress, frequently coexists with FOBO. Chronic avoidance, diminished confidence, and a warped sense of control are the result. Self-efficacy deteriorates with time, making decisions more difficult in the future.
The psychologist Carol Dweck’s research on fixed versus growth mindsets is relevant. According to her, a fixed mindset, where choices are viewed as passes or failures, is the ideal environment for FOBO to set in. The better option is a growth mindset, as it encourages learning by doing, even if that action isn’t perfect.
The hidden costs of waiting
FOBO doesn’t just waste time – it costs money:
- Inflation quietly devalues idle cash.
- Missed market rebounds reduce long-term returns.
- Mental exhaustion leads to poorer decisions down the line.
In legacy planning, FOBO delays critical transitions: succession, asset transfers, governance shifts. What feels like safety is often stagnation.
Breaking the FOBO cycle
Here’s how to reclaim momentum. First, you’ve got to trust your financial roadmap. It’s built for volatility, not perfection.
Part of this trust is understanding that you’re aiming for progress, not precision. A solid “good enough” decision often beats the elusive “perfect” one.
Last but certainly not least, seek objective counsel. We can help you to distinguish a thoughtful pause from a fear-based delay.
FOBO masked as caution
FOBO hardly ever makes an announcement. It appears as gradual hesitancy disguised as caution. However, procrastination is never valuable when it comes to creating wealth. It corrodes or compounds.
If you’re caught in the “what if” cycle, please give us a call. We’d love to work with you to separate the thoughtful from the scared – in the process securing your money, legacy, and future self-assurance.
Disclaimer: The information provided herein should not be used or relied on as professional advice. No liability can be accepted for any errors or omissions nor for any loss or damage arising from reliance upon any information herein. Always contact us for specific and detailed advice.
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