Financial planning is not exciting (for most). It can even be quite discouraging. While you painstakingly save from every paycheck, strategically pay off debt, or spend time balancing a budget, your neighbour gambles on a speculative investment that 10-folds his net worth in a month. Could that change your plan?

We hope not, but here are 10 quotes to keep you on your own path. 

Warren Buffett

"The stock market is a device for transferring money from the impatient to the patient." – Warren Buffett

We can’t have a post about financial quotes without including one from the greatest investors of all time! This quote reiterates that time is your friend when it comes to investing.

Mark Twain

"Plan for the future because that's where you are going to spend the rest of your life." - Mark Twain

Yes, carpe diem, YOLO, and live in the moment, but don’t forget that tomorrow – albeit not guaranteed – is still a likely outcome. So, make sure you’re able to enjoy that too!

Alan Lakein

"Failing to plan is planning to fail." - Alan Lakein

A classic. Creating a financial plan allows you the peace of mind of knowing you are not only saving long-term but that you can enjoy life within these established parameters. A good financial plan means you no longer need to stress about money.

Paul Samuelson

"Investing should be like watching paint dry or watching grass grow. If you want excitement, take $800 and go to Las Vegas." - Paul Samuelson

Some people equate investing with gambling. It is not the same thing at all. If you’re in the mindset that investing is like gambling, you’re doing it wrong.

Warren Buffett

“Someone’s sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago.” – Warren Buffett

This is my personal favourite. Personal financial freedom does not require much effort. It requires time, consistency, and consideration.

T.T. Munger

"The habit of saving is itself an education; it fosters every virtue, teaches self-denial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind." - T.T. Munger

The importance here is self-discipline. We live in a consumer-centric world. We’re tempted daily with spending, spending, and overspending. If you can block out the noise, and keep a disciplined savings plan, you will be well off for it.

Robert Kiyosaki

“The only reason to save money is to invest it." - Robert Kiyosaki

Cash is a losing investment. It will always lose value and depreciate over time. It may feel good stockpiling, and it may earn some interest, but that interest is always less than the rate of inflation.

William Feather

“One of the funny things about the stock market is that every time one person buys, another sells, and both think they are astute." - William Feather

You (and I) are not as good at picking stocks as we think we are. Even the best analysts and portfolio managers in the world get burned. It is not if; it’s when. It’s important to know this before investing any money.

Benjamin Franklin

"Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after your bad habits are subtracted from your good ones." - Benjamin Franklin

Bad habits tend to be unhealthy or expensive; neither are good for the long term. The key is moderation and balance with good habits.

Suze Orman

“If you want to become financially secure, you need to get in the habit of thinking and acting in a fiscally responsible manner." - Suze Orman

This is another way to say you should budget and think like a business. Income equals revenue. Coffee shops, rent, insurance, and internet are your operating expenses. Is your annual net revenue greater than your expenses?

Wrapping It Up

Hopefully, this curated list of 10 financial planning quotes sparks you to take action on your own personal finances. If the task seems too daunting, there are services out there that can manage your investments and can build your own financial plan.