I messed up this week.

It’s like I wasn’t hungry last week so I decided not to buy any groceries for this week either. Of course, now I’m starving. I’m angry that the cupboard is empty, and now I’m kicking myself. Why didn’t I think ahead last week? Why didn’t I buy anything to eat?

We make these dumb mistakes all the time. Instead of thinking about tomorrow, we neglect it. For example, every week that you put off investing $20,000 at 5%, you miss a gain of $84. (How long does it take you to earn $84 at work? Probably less than the time it would have taken to invest that money.)

The most ironic part of procrastination is the loss—inflation means you’re actually losing that money.

How many groceries could you buy with that?

If you and I want to play with the big dogs, we have to be thinking like them. They’re the people that are always a buck ahead, a step in the lead, and forever laughing at our lags… unless we change. In whatever financial avenue you’re hoping to strike it rich in, I’m making some adjustments in my strategy that you might want to consider, too.

1. Get networking—someone’s always going to know something before you. In my case, my husband is always hungry before I am, and he reminds me. Buddy up. And if you have to pay them a little to invest your money and sell your property, I still think it’s worth it.

2. Get your paperwork together—if you want a stock, have money ready to invest ASAP. If you’re buying a huge investment, establish pre-approval with a bank before the deal pops up. Update your income statements, cash flow statements, balance sheet, checkbook… you want to be ready to go by knowing what you have and showing others what you have, too.

3. Get persistent—don’t let one slip slow you. Yeah. I’m frustrated with myself. But pouting isn’t the solution. Better strategizing is.

4. Get ready to drop everything NOW—good deals disappear in minutes. You’ve seen how the stock market fluctuates throughout the day. Other markets do the same. Waiting until the time works for you doesn’t work when you want a deal…tomorrow…next week…

Some people obsessed with Cramer on “Mad Money” dump all of their money into each stock he recommends that day. The stock price shoots up because everyone has the same strategy. These people don’t make money, of course. They’re buying groceries after their stomaches grumbled.

Meanwhile, the prompt grocery shoppers who bought Kramer’s suggestions before Kramer suggested them are getting good and fat. They’re stuffing their faces and smirking at every starving stock shopper.

Wouldn’t you prefer to pick out your own dinner tonight?