Financial anxiety or financial stress is extremely common for many people. Individuals, couples and families are struggling with money and debts. However, this stress is having an adverse effect on your health, as well as your relationships. It’s time to stop letting it affect you. Here are six tips to reduce your financial anxiety right now.
Learn Where You’re Spending Money
There’s no point burying your head in the sand. Those financial problems are not going to go away, unless you actively do something about them.
It’s time to find out just where all your money is going, and work out how to reduce your spending. The best way to do that is create a budget. Take the last three months worth of statements at least and see just how you’re spending your money.
How Important Are Your Purchases
Now go through all the purchases you make and determine just how important they are to you. Some will be necessities, like your bills and rent.
However, there are some that will just be in the moment spending that you really don’t need to make. They’re luxuries that you can limit to help rein in your spending. Rank the purchases as 1 for the most necessary and so on.
Stop Buying on Credit
It’s time to stop spending on your credit cards. This just gives you the excuse to buy what you want and worry about it later.
But why should you worry about it at all? You’re trying to cut down your financial anxiety right? Instead of spending more, look into clearing more on the debt that you already have. You’re just paying more than you have with the interest each month.
Have a Fund for Emergencies Only
Emergencies happen. They always will, and there is very little that you can do to stop them. The best thing to do is get ready for them.
Organise an emergency fund for times of need. This will prevent the spending on your credit cards, so you spend less in the long run.
Consider Better Interest Rates
If you currently have loans and credit cards, look into getting better rates of interest.
You may need to consider remortgaging or consolidating your loans, but at least you will pay off less in the long run. You could even find your monthly repayments are reduced, which will help to cut down on the stress of your outgoings. However, make sure those lower monthly repayments still mean paying less in the long term.
Look for Ways to Make More Money
Do you have things in the home that you can sell? How about renting out your wedding dress or creating your own jewellery to sell? There are so many things that you could do to bring in more money.
This could help you clear your debts, but it will also mean more to go away in savings or to spend on the luxury purchases. Just think of the financial freedom you will eventually gain.