Money may be a thing of constant worry in many of our lives. Usually, money dictates how we live our lives: what we eat, what we drive, what we wear and where we live, etc. It’s okay to think often about money and how it affects your life. But, when the worry turns into an unhealthy obsession, it’s time to step back and reflect on why we are so worried about our money.

Money can become worrisome especially when we begin to incur an overwhelming amount of debt. As important as our finances are, money doesn’t always have to become a “worry” in your life.

Here are some methods to help ease the stress of worrying about your money:

• Make a plan and stick to it! Whether it be creating a reasonable budget, or planning to save up for something special like an extra vacation or your dream car, holding to whatever means that will work best for you is important. We all have bad days or weeks, don’t let this derail month’s of hard work.
• Live within your means. Simply, don’t spend more money than you make. It is silly to go into debt on a shopping spree or treating yourself out to fancy dinners and daily lattes. Know what you can afford, and stick to having just that. There is no need for instant gratification at all times in life, and going without certain things builds a strong character that is much needed in our world today.
• Have an emergency reserve. Saving money for a rainy day is one of the best ways to relieve financial stress. Knowing that you have a reserve saved in case of an accident, means you won’t have to come up short on bills if your car breaks down or you have a medical emergency. Put aside as much as you can with each paycheck, and after a few years whatever you didn’t need to spend in a time of need move a little to your retirement account. Being proactive is the opposite of stress.

Worrying is one of those emotions where there is a fine line. You need a certain amount of money to live, but when does handling your finances responsibly turn into an unhealthy obsession? Only you can know, but if you are feeling worried or stressed, stop and look at the bigger picture. Think about what you truly need versus what you want, and go from there. You may want to contact a certified financial planner to help ease your burden. Take these proactive steps and you may be surprised at the worries you could easily cut out of your life.

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