Maybe you’ve heard the term “spidey sense”? From comic book superhero Spider-Man, it basically refers to having a feeling that there’s something out there you should be paying attention to.
Everyone has a handful of items like that. Often they’re things that keep getting put off – sometimes year after year – but they’re still there taking up space in the back of your mind.
Some are important situations you know you really should deal with before Something Happens. Then you can avoid kicking yourself for not having taken care of things when it would have been so easy.
A colleague recently told me about a family situation where her aunt had set up a trust about 25 years ago. She gave her daughter a copy of the trust paperwork.
The daughter had moved several times over the years and the copy of the trust paperwork got left behind somewhere. Her mother now has very serious cognitive issues and the trust originals can’t be found. The trust attorney passed away nearly two decades ago.
My colleague said her cousin had been saying for years that she knew she ought to get that trust situation pinned down so she’d be ready to act if the time came. Her spidey sense kept reminding her. But it always seemed like there was time to get to it … later. Now it’s a mess that will take a lot of effort to straighten out.
It doesn’t have to be big or complicated to be something you’ll feel better about if you pin it down now.
Recently a friend was getting a new phone. He could have just ordered the phone online but he took the time to go into a Verizon store instead so he could also get a full review of all his services, something he had been meaning to get around to for years.
The Verizon employee asked a lot of on-point questions and did a thorough review that saved him some money, which was good. More important, he now feels like he fully understands what services he has and he was able to confirm he’s not paying for services he never uses. He was pleased that he took the hour or so to make that happen and now he can cross it off his mental list of Things To Get To.
Sometimes it’s an unused gym membership or subscriptions you don’t want or need anymore. People know they should take the relatively small amount of time to quit or unsubscribe. Too many don’t. So they essentially keep throwing money away month after month, year after year.
And it does add up! $50 a month on an unused gym membership is $3000 over 5 years. Is it worth taking the time now – sometimes it’s just a few minutes – to save $3000 after-tax? Most people say “Yes!” when they look at it that way.
You know what your items are – they’ve been in the back of your mind long enough. Whether you do it as part of a spring spruce-up or as important life housekeeping, set aside the time to get to something you’ve been meaning to get to. Find those papers. Make that appointment. Consult with a person you know will give you actionable advice. It feels remarkably good knowing you got these things buttoned down – chances are you will be pleased with yourself.
From the “Smart About Money” Canton Citizen column published on April 17 2025.
Nick Maffeo is the President & CEO of Canton Co-operative Bank – right next to the Post Office – in Canton.
Have a question? Email to info@cantoncoopbank.com.