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If you’ve ever delayed or avoided checking on your finances because you’re afraid of what you’ll find, you aren’t alone.
A new survey conducted by Wealth Enhancement in partnership with Wakefield Research found that nearly half (44%) of U.S. adults have purposely avoided checking a financial account in the past year due to stress or fear — and younger generations, specifically Gen Z, are particularly susceptible to this.
Psychologists refer to this phenomenon as an avoidant response. When your finances are a source of stress and anxiety, it can often feel better in the moment to avoid them rather than face them head-on.
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But avoiding a problem rarely makes it go away; it can lead to even greater setbacks. In the case of personal finances, this can result in a deeper financial hole, leading to increased stress. This perfectly normal stress response can escalate into a cycle that’s difficult to break.
For most people, money is emotional
The latest research underscores the notion that money is inherently emotional. Most people (59%, according to the survey), report experiencing difficult emotions, such as anxiety (45%) or frustration (40%).
For many, these negative emotions and stress trace back to very real and rational fears. Daily living expenses and housing costs are two of the biggest financial stressors, and more than half of U.S. adults identify with them — 55% and 42% respectively.
Other common stressors include medical expenses (26%), credit card debt (26%) and retirement planning (18%).
However, money doesn’t bring up negative emotions for everyone. Many people also report feeling hope (49%) or pride (22%) when they think about their financial situation.
As challenging as it can be to deal with our emotions around money, the first important step is to confront them and to identify when beliefs are driving them.
Even small changes in your beliefs around money (and your aptitude with it) can help you gain confidence and take action to positively affect your financial situation.
Talking about money helps more than you think
One of the best ways to approach money fears is to discuss them with people you trust.
More than half of those surveyed report being somewhat or very comfortable talking about financial stress. Most often, people turn to a family member (49%), a significant other (38%) and friends (37%) to discuss their financial worries.
Meeting with a financial adviser can also help individuals feel more confident and empowered in their financial lives.
However, this option remains largely untapped; only about one-third of survey respondents said they had met with a financial adviser in the past year. Of those who did, 88% reported feeling less stress afterward.
An adviser can help to give a clear picture of where an individual stands and help take those initial steps that we might not be ready to do on our own. Accountability and regular check-ins can also help us make progress in improving our financial situation.
Turning financial fear into action
Financial stress can take a toll, but avoiding the problem isn’t the answer. Even small, manageable changes can improve your situation over time.
Start with something very small, such as reviewing your budget once a week, setting up a regular money conversation with your spouse or seeking the assistance of a professional.
Not only will this give you more awareness of what’s going on with your finances, but minor shifts can be empowering.
Survey respondents reported that changes in their financial habits, such as more careful budgeting, keeping an emergency fund, saving for big purchases and cutting back on impulse purchases, would help reduce stress.
But often, turning intention into action is a big step on its own.
Change isn’t immediate, and it isn’t linear. It’s normal for change to take time and sometimes feel a little uncomfortable at first.
Being consistent can help these changes become part of a normal routine and make a tangible impact on our finances with time.
It’s also possible to face financial setbacks along the way. Don’t let obstacles hinder progress in improving your financial situation. The goal is persistence, not perfection.
Finally, turn those small, short-term changes into regular habits. Make it a point to monitor them regularly.
Revisiting your financial plan — especially one you’ve crafted with the help of a financial adviser — during times of financial stress can alleviate negative emotions and help you focus on what you can control: Your next step in pursuing your financial goals.
This article is for general information only and not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.