The Endurance Approach to Wealth
Ari Baum, CFP®
WHAT IF BUILDING WEALTH DIDN’T REQUIRE MASSIVE DISCIPLINE OR GENIUS-LEVEL IQ? WHAT IF IT COULD BE AS EASY AS MAKING YOUR BED OR BRUSHING YOUR TEETH? BEHAVIORAL SCIENTISTS HAVE SHOWN THAT THE KEY TO LASTING CHANGE OFTEN LIES NOT IN WILLPOWER, BUT IN FRICTION—OR MORE PRECISELY, THE LACK OF IT. MAKE THE GOOD PATH EASY TO TAKE AND MAKE THE BAD ONE A LITTLE MORE ANNOYING. THAT’S WHERE THE MAGIC HAPPENS.
In personal finance, we often look for the “big move”—the next big investment, the right stock pick, the perfect budgeting app. But wealth isn’t usually built in leaps. It’s stacked brick by brick through repeatable, easy actions. The trick is to make those actions so easy they become second nature.
Behavior Follows Design
You’re more likely to work out in the morning if your running shoes are already by the door. You’re less likely to eat junk food if there’s none in your pantry. These small setup decisions nudge you toward better choices without requiring constant internal debates. In finance, the same principle applies.
When spending is too easy—just a swipe or tap—it invites trouble. That’s one reason why some financial gurus recommend using cash. Physically handing over dollars is a lot more painful than casually tapping a phone. It’s a mental speed bump that gives your brain time to say, “Wait…do I really need this?”
Now, some folks might argue, “I track every expense on my spreadsheet, so I’m good.” And hey, kudos to you. But the data still shows we tend to spend less when using cash or debit versus credit. It’s not about being irresponsible—it’s about being human.
Small Shifts, Big Results
We often overestimate what we can do in a week and underestimate what we can do in a year. That’s why focusing on small, low-effort habits can have a bigger long-term impact than chasing big, high-effort wins. This is where financial psychologist Dr. Daniel Crosby’s advice shines: Automate. Simplify. Remove.
Automate: Put It on Autopilot
The best financial decision is often the one you don’t have to make every month. Setting up automatic transfers to your investment accounts takes the emotion out of it. It also reduces decision fatigue. Whether it’s a weekly transfer to a Roth IRA or monthly contributions to your 401(k), automation builds momentum quietly.
Think about it: if money leaves your checking account before you even see it, you’re less likely to spend it. That’s forced scarcity working in your favor—and it’s a powerful wealth-building tool.
Simplify: Fewer Accounts,
Less Mental Clutter
Too many people have money scattered across old bank accounts, overlapping investment platforms, and forgotten 401(k)s. It’s not only inefficient—it’s stressful. Simplifying your financial life helps you stay organized and focused.
Consolidate where possible. Use one app to track everything. Establish simple spending guidelines instead of hyper-detailed budgets. Make your system so simple that you stick to it even on your busiest day. Complexity invites avoidance; simplicity invites action.
Remove: Make the Wrong Choice
Just a Bit Harder
Impulse spending is often just a click away. One suggestion? Delete the apps that encourage mindless spending. Amazon, DoorDash, or your favorite fast-fashion store—remove the shortcut. If you have to open your browser, type in the URL, and log in…you might pause long enough to change your mind.
And if you want to take it a step further, consider keeping your credit cards out of reach—or out of your wallet entirely. The easier it is to spend, the more you will. Conversely, if you make spending just a little more annoying, you’ll likely spend less.
Design Your Financial Environment
We tend to over-rely on motivation. But motivation fades—systems stick. Designing your environment so that the “good” financial choice is the easiest one sets you up for success. Want to read more and scroll less? Move your phone across the room and put a book on your pillow. Want to save more and spend less? Automate your savings and delete the Amazon app.
This isn’t about restriction. It’s about alignment. Aligning your habits, tools, and environment with the life you want to build—financially, physically, and emotionally.
The fact is that wealth isn’t built overnight. It’s built quietly, in the background, by systems that favor the good and discourage the bad. So set yourself up wisely. Because when good is easy and bad is hard, success becomes almost effortless. q
The content is developed from sources believed to provide accurate information. Investing involves risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Consult with a financial professional regarding your specific situation.
Ari Baum, CFP® is the Founder and CEO of Endurance Wealth Partners, with over 25 years of experience in the Financial Services industry. He brings his in-depth experience to Conceive. Believe. Achieve. for his clients. Securities and Advisory services offered through Prospera Financial Services Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Brokerage and Advisory accounts carried by Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC.
