When you think of chronic financial stress, maybe you picture a family at or below the poverty line. A mom and dad trying to make ends meet on minimum-wage paychecks. And for many, many Americans, that’s certainly true.
But the whole truth is, 64% of employees earning at least $100,000 a year are also worried about money - so worried, in fact, that it’s affecting their productivity at work, according to a 2023 SecureSave survey.1
Outside forces like high-profile bank failures, sky-high inflation and the highest mortgage rates in a generation are partly to blame for our money worries. But there are things we all can control to make us feel better about our finances.
1. Prioritize your discretionary spending.
Many expenses, like mortgage payments and student loans, are fixed. But there are monthly costs we can control, like your food budget. Consider buying in bulk at food clubs, or opt for store brands over name brands that can cost 40 percent more.2
2. Save for emergencies automatically.
This is especially true in unsettling times like these, when experts say you should have 6- to 12-month cushion, just in case. Make your emergency fund the first “bill” you pay each month by setting up automatic transfers from checking to savings.
3. Track your progress.
Would you start a diet without ever getting on the scale? Of course not. That’s also true when you’re building up an emergency fund or investing for your retirement.
4. Talk with your lenders.
If high rates or high balances are keeping you up at night, don’t get stressed. Get a better deal. Lenders of all credit types are often open to finding solutions you can live with, from lowering your rate to extending your term.
5. Sit down with a financial professional.
Want to really take some weight off your shoulders? Find a financial professional who you know has your back. Having a trusted financial professional can boost your confidence with building and protecting your assets.
SOURCES:
1 https://www.benefitspro.com/2023/09/21/emergency-financial-stress-is-costing-employers-4-7b-a-week-in-productivity/ lreturn=20231108144744#:~:text=A%20wide%2Dranging%20problem,living%20paycheck%2Dto%2Dpaycheck.
2 https://www.cnet.com/home/kitchen-and-household/heres-how-much-buying-store-brand-groceries-will-save-you/
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2023-163892 Exp. 10/25 *Pre-approved content*