When Money Stress Never Ends: How To Reclaim Control of Your Finances
Written by
Paige Cerulli
Edited by
Jenna Klaverweiden
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Everyone experiences financial stress at some point. Whether you are working toward buying a home or were laid off from a job, managing money is stressful.
But if that stress starts to take over your life, you could be dealing with something more than simple money stress. Financial burnout is a serious issue, but there are ways to feel more in control of your finances again.
Understanding Financial Burnout
Financial burnout is a state of exhaustion that can leave you feeling overwhelmed by your situation. Shavon Roman, chief money strategist at Heal Plan Invest, explained that an extended, prolonged exposure to financial stress can lead to burnout.
“The first sign is just giving up,” she said. “You stop creating a budget, following your spending plan, paying your credit cards off and even stop checking your bank account, just hoping for the best.” Factors like not having enough cash flow and having poor spending habits can also contribute to burnout.
Effects of Financial Burnout
Financial burnout can significantly impact your life.
Chad Silver, a tax attorney and CEO and founder of Silver Tax Group, explained that individuals experiencing financial burnout may try to completely avoid financial matters, disregard costs or no longer worry about contributing to retirement funds. Unfortunately, if that behavior is left unchecked, it can result in a reduction of net worth.
Roman explained that individuals experiencing financial burnout may find it difficult to speak with others, like their spouse or partner, about finances because they’re embarrassed. Difficulty making decisions is also common.
“Usually, it is impossible for someone experiencing financial burnout to save because they can’t even clearly see the path or strategy to start,” Roman explained.
How To Cope
Roman recommended that anyone dealing with financial burnout begin by writing out the details of their finances, including their spending and income. It’s also essential to write a list of everything owed and the monthly payments being made. “In the age of AI, you can even put this in resources like ChatGPT, which can create a debt management strategy for you,” she said.
Silver highlighted the importance of breaking finances down into small, manageable steps that you can handle, even when overwhelmed. “To regain control, it is necessary to change the attitude of complete elimination of debts to manageable 30-day goals,” Silver explained.
Additional Resources
Overcoming financial burnout can be a challenge, but several resources can make the process more manageable. Roman suggested using ChatGPT, inputting details about the challenge you’re facing and asking, “How would you recommend completing this if you were a financial advisor?”
She added that working with a money management company may also be helpful. Some offer free financial coaching and debt management strategies.
Finally, don’t overlook the importance of getting behavioral support or counseling. Roman explained that this tends to be an option individuals consider less often, but it can be valuable. Burnout will make you want to avoid finances entirely, but by taking an active role and finding ways to start managing your finances again, you can overcome it.
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