If you’re stressed about your financial situation, you’re not alone. A survey from Perkbox found that money is the number one source of stress for people living in the UK. Over a quarter of adults feel stressed about their finances on a daily basis.
But you don’t have to put up with this stress. April is Stress Awareness Month, so we’re bringing you four top tips to help you worry less about money.
1. Open up to a friend
Lots of people find talking about money uncomfortable. But keeping your problems to yourself is only going to add to your stress.
Sharing your money worries with a close friend is a good first step. Your friend might be going through something similar, they might have helpful tips to share or they might just be able to listen and provide emotional support.
No matter what, opening up about your money worries can take a weight off your chest. It will make it easier for you to tackle them with a clear head.
If you’re not sure who to talk to or how to start the conversation, have a look at this helpful guide to talking about money from MoneyHelper.
2. Make a Budget
If you’re worried that you might be spending more than you can afford, why not make a budget to help you keep track?
By clearly laying out your income and your spending, budgeting can help you understand exactly where your money is going. Then you can find areas where you might be able to make savings. Budgeting can even help you to make plans to pay off any debts, or to put aside money for the future.
Try this helpful budget planner to get started making a budget.
3. Get Advice from an Expert
Maybe you feel a bit confused or unsure on what you can do to sort your finances – knowing where to start can be hard. But the good news is you don’t need to face these issues alone.
There are a range of charities that can offer you free, expert money advice and guide you through the process of tackling your money worries.
Citizens Advice Barking and Dagenham help over 7000 people living in the area each year with free and confidential advice and case work. You can call them on their advice line at 0808 278 7870, email, or visit their website.
If you’re currently worried about debt, visit our Dealing with Debt page for more information on local and national organisations that can help you to get on top of your debt.
4. Seek Mental Health Support
Your mental health is just as important as your financial health. So, if you’re struggling financially and feeling stressed, why not have at the mental health support options that are available?
Our Help with Mental Health page can help you to access free resources with expert mental health advice.
Looking after your mental health will put you in the best headspace to take control of your finances.