Money Management 101: 7 ways to bust your financial stress

Money… It is not just a five-letter word, it’s a way of life. If not handled properly, it can suck all the joy out of your life and lead to anxiety-related health problems. But you don’t have to live with it! Here’s how you can tackle your financial anxiety with a few dos and don’ts.

Check your balances regularly

While you might be thinking that checking balances is only going to increase your anxiety, on the contrary, it will only help you make more informed financial decisions throughout the week.

Ultimately being aware of what’s in your account will only help you stay ahead of the game. We can agree that we don’t want any surprises—only in this matter of course.

Make regular deposits in an emergency fund

An emergency fund to money anxiety is what a soft velvety cushion is to emotional anxiety. It’s a stress-buster. When surprise expenses come your way, it’s nice to know you have emergency funds to lean on. So, if you want to avoid unnecessary stress, then avoid unnecessary purchases and save more.

Prioritize your bills on time, every time

Easier said than done, right? It’s hard to see a huge chunk of money disappear from your account on payday. But as the saying goes, “pain is temporary but the glory is forever.” As painful as it is to put your bills on autopay temporarily, know that you’re progressing towards the glory of a debt-free life—slowly but steadily. This is good for your wallet and your mind, not to forget your credit score as well!

Organize your finances by creating a budget

Do you find yourself constantly running out of money before your next paycheck, having no clue where it went? Living without a budget can be incredibly dangerous because it makes managing money a lot harder! So, what now? You might have heard this a million times, and we’ll remind you yet again, “budget!” All you need to do is roadmap your expenses to live within your means.

You can do this by simply jotting down your expenses and income in a spreadsheet. Allocate your funds for specific expenses, this way you’re less likely to overspend. 

Don’t spend more than you make

Money is part of almost everything we do. It’s what builds our lives and it has every ability to even break it. Our daily anxieties directly influence how we manage our money. As much as we’d love to deny this, we can’t! The point is that stress leads to spending more and saving less, and in turn, leads to racking up your credit card debt. More like stress-eating, we believe in the misconception that spending will make us feel better. Instant gratification! Who doesn’t enjoy it? Trigger warning, it will cost you later. So, if you want to resist your urge to splurge then tackle the stress in your life, it just might help you feel better about your financial situation too.

Talk to someone

Anxious about money? Don’t suffer alone. Talk to your friends or someone you trust, or even a therapist can help you navigate spending, saving and building a strong financial foundation.

Anxiety is awful, we know, but being open about your feelings can relieve stress and help you make better decisions. Sometimes when dealing with money issues, you might feel embarrassed or ashamed, so it can be hard to voice your feelings. However, if you’re looking for financial and emotional stability, you have to do what you have to do and talking about it is the way to go.

Financial Planning with an advisor

Make a free appointment with an advisor or a financial company. Or even if you have a buddy who works in finance, go pick on his brain. Seek knowledge on investments, loan refinancing and more. This can help soothe your stress. How? When you educate yourself, you are better prepared to tackle your problems.

Anxiety and worry when it comes to financing are normal, it’s not impossible to handle. All you need is a little bit of planning, less spending, more budgeting and the right financial guidance.