How often do you or people you know worry about money?

Let’s be honest.  Most people worry about money more often than they’d like to admit.  Money fears show up when people pay their bills, plan a large purchase, or end up not sleeping because they’re worried.  The “what-ifs” seem to take over their sleep.  For a lot of people, it’s not a once-in-a-while occurrence.  It happens to many every day and causes extreme stress.

Now, if you think it only happens to those who don’t have a lot of money, think again.  People with higher incomes experience the scenarios.  Even those who make a good salary worry about losing their jobs, inflation, debt, or if they’re making good financial decisions.  Money stresses don’t always come from how much you have, but how likely their financial futures will happen.

As I’ve discussed in the past, unanticipated expenses seem to elicit the most concern.  I’ve discussed the need for an emergency fund to eliminate this concern so I hope you’ve taken that to heart.  As I mentioned earlier this year, I had to put a roof on my home which was totally unexpected.  But fortunately, I had the funds to cover the expense.  The uncertainty of having an expense crop up breeds fear and that fear keeps the worry cycle going.

Becoming stressed over money s not a sign of failure.  Rather, it means that something needs tending.  You can make a few deliberate changes; due to the clarity you have realized from your mistakes.  You can create a budget and build an emergency fund.  Those types of positive activities can ease your worrying.  Will it disappear totally?  Maybe not, but you can take steps to improve your situation which will then reduce your concerns.

Moral of the story:

If you worry about money, know that it happens to a lot of people.  But, feeling imprisoned by it doesn’t have to be the end result.  Remember, you can take positive steps to reduce that feeling of dread.  Yes, I’m aware times are tough.  But, I know it’s possible and I sleep at night.