How to Come Back Fighting from Financial Stress

For many of us financial uncertainty is a very real part of everyday life. With the current economy and political turmoil, it’s easy to feel anxious and concerned about money. It is important to remember that worrying doesn’t solve many problems, but a positive mental attitude and being proactive does.

Getting control of money problems will not only be good for you credit score and bank balance but your overall mood too. The less time you will spend thinking about money, and whether or not you can afford something, the more time you can spend on enjoying life! Here are just some tips on how to reduce your money worries and regain control of your life.

Photograph: Tim Gouw

Identify any stress points

Maybe it’s just dawned on you that you don’t have a retirement fund, or maybe you have an extortionate credit card that you can’t pay off due to interest charges. Whatever it is that’s getting you down, it’s important to identify the problem, so you know what you’re up against.

Be realistic

There are many places where you can go to find help during financial difficulty, which you can read about here, but one way to reduce your anxiety levels is to set reasonable goals which are achievable. If you set yourself a goal of putting away an extra $30 a week which will then go straight into paying off your debt, will you be less stressed than if you just put the whole $120 aside in one go? Probably not. It’s all about managing your head as well as your cash.

Stay calm

Sometimes easier said than done, but calmly looking at all the options available to you is the only way in which you will find a solution. If you spend time browsing up to date reviews of the best credit repair and interest free balance transfer credit cards when you are in a state of peace rather than panic, you are much more likely to find something which will work for you. As the Brits say: keep calm and carry on!

Give your stress a positive spin

A positive mind is the best help when fixing difficult problems, and although it’s hard work staying upbeat during strife, there are always silver linings which come out of bad situations. You will likely come out of the other end of any financial stress being better equipped to handle money and maybe have made some positive lifestyle changes along the way. Practice mindfulness, and with every little bit of debt you manage to pay off, see it as a part of the stress being released from your body.

Be honest

Talk to your family and loved ones about it – after all, they are there to support you when you need it most. They are also your best critics (whether you like it or not) and are the best people to hold you accountable if you go off the rails a little bit. Talking to family about financial problems can be difficult, but remember that a problem shared is a problem halved, and allow yourself to lean on people in times of need.