If you’re finding it difficult to rest easy or even sleep due to the state of your finances, you’re not alone. Many contributors can make your finances not add up. Some of the most common include kids, marriage, debt, pregnancy, job loss, health, and inflation. The American Psychological Association estimates that 64% of all stress is caused by money.
If you’re experiencing panic because you’re not happy with where you stand financially, we’ve got you covered. Here are a few tips to help you take control of your finances.
Identify the Stressors
Writing your problems down has been proven to be one of the most effective ways to deal with whatever is weighing you down. It can be anything that aggravates your anxiety. Listing both small and large stressors is not only therapeutic but will also help you come up with ways to deal with the stressors. After identifying the stressors, write down realistic goals and tick them off when you achieve a milestone.
Create a Budget and Stick to It
It’s often said that failing to plan is planning to fail. Budgeting is not an ends to a means in itself. After coming up with your budget, it’s important to exercise restraint and discipline to ensure you spend only what you’ve planned for.
When creating a budget, the devil is in the details. Be sure to include everything that you intend to spend on, including for leisure. However, it’s important to set up some emergency funds in addition to savings, which might come in handy during those rainy days.
Manage Your Overall Stress
Resolving your financial stress might not happen overnight. It requires finding peace of mind and energy amid the stress to make a complete turnaround on the health of your finances.
One of the most effective ways of dealing with stress is by getting moving. Walking for 30 minutes each day has been proven to eliminate stress. You can also try out physical exercises such as swimming and cycling.
Stay Positive and Get Help
One of the most effective ways to ensure you don’t wander is ensuring you stay positive. It’s not uncommon to have negative thoughts, but you should know how to deal with them. Once you have a budget in place, you can keep track of your spending.
You may fall once in a while, but don’t be afraid to start all over and take the lessons you learn to make better financial decisions. And remember, it doesn’t cost you to ask for help in case you don’t know where to begin. We would recommend speaking to one of Vinings Bank’s representatives.