25 Financial Self-Care Practices To Help Relieve Stress | Notes by Thalia (2024)

Last Updated on December 29, 2023 by Thalia

Self-care and wellness go way beyond just taking care of your mental, physical and emotional health. In fact, one of the best ways to take care of your mental health and well-being is through financial self-care.

Here are 25 financial self-care ideas to help you take control of your money worries and relieve stress.

25 Financial Self-Care Practices To Help Relieve Stress | Notes by Thalia (1)

My financial wellness journey

Throughout my twenties, I didn’t care about money.

I mean, I cared about earning it but I didn’t care about spending or saving it.

I would spend as much as I earned and without fail, I would hit my overdraft every month.

Living in London throughout my twenties was very much an “all-in” event where if I wasn’t out partying nearly every night, I was wasting my young years.

My money would all go on expensive night-outs, drinks, new outfits, heels, and of course hangover brunches.

On the outside, I was living the dream.

On the inside, I was an anxious, crumbling mess with a money problem.

Fast forward to 2019 during my solo trip in Peru, I readRich Dad Poor Dadby Robert Kiyosaki.

It was life-changing.

I know I say this about books a lot but honestly,Rich Dad Poor Dadliterally changed my entire perspective on money and what it means to be “rich.”

And since then I’ve been a lot more intentional with how I use and spend my money.

For starters, I don’t spend nearly much as I did. Even though I am currently travelling through Europe, my expenses are still less than they ever were in London. I even managed to save money while travelling through South America as I taught English online. I don’t shop nearly as much as I did and have gotten used to selling things I no longer need on eBay.

But one of the most important things I have done in the past 2 years and continue to do, is invest in myself.

Along with investing in stocks, I have put money towards mindset coaching, blogging courses and now a health coach course which will all give me back a return on investment.

And I am also currently working on my money mindset to help me feel less awkward about selling and more open to talking about money in general.

I have been on a financial wellness journey for the past 2 years and I still feel like I’m just getting started.

Yes, I feel less stressed about money as I now have the attitude that money can always be made, but like with any journey, there’s still a long way to go.

“I am concerned that too many people are focused too much on money and not on their greatest wealth, which is their education. If people are prepared to be flexible, keep an open mind and learn, they will grow richer and richer through the changes. If they think money will solve the problems, I am afraid those people will have a rough ride. Intelligence solves problems and produces money. Money without financial intelligence is money soon gone.”

Robert Kiyosaki | Rich Dad Poor Dad

Table of Contents

  • My financial wellness journey
  • What is financial self-care?
  • 25 ways to practice financial self-care
  • Final notes

What is financial self-care?

Before I do a deep dive into the 25 ways you can practice financial self-care, let’s first recap financial self-care and what it means.

Similar to how environmental self-care allows you to take better care of your surroundings, financial self-care simply means taking better care of yourself financially.

Think about it, how stressed out do you get thinking about money, checking your bank account on a daily basis or saving for the future?

Money worries are one of the biggest causes of stress and anxiety. And like with anything, if it is not dealt with head-on, financial stress can lead to even bigger health problems.

So cultivating a healthy relationship with money is essential for your mental health as ithelps eliminate stress and anxietyfrom your life.

Practising financial self-care is important if you want to be able to stay on top of your money and work towards financial goals such as saving for a trip abroad or paying off your credit card.

For me, financial self-care also means learning more about money and improving my financial intelligence. It’s improving my mindset around money so I can feel more open to talking about it and feel less negative towards people who have lots of it.

“… embrace the fact that your quest for riches is a quest to become more of who you truly are. We don’t all desire to live a huge, fancy life or solve world hunger, that’s not what this is about. It’s about you letting yourself be the biggest badass you can be whatever that happens to look like for you.”

Jen Sincero | You Are A Badass At Making Money

25 ways to practice financial self-care

The key to financial self-care is developing the right financial wellness habits that work for you. Your personal approach will vary depending on what goals are important in your life and how much time can be dedicated to practising them.

But there always needs to be some level of consistency.

I encourage you to build a weekly or monthly financial self-care routine where you actively check in with your money habits, mindset and goals.

And here is an extensive list of ideas to help you develop this routine so you can start to take better care of your financial wellness and relieve stress.

  1. Read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
  2. Create a realistic monthly budget which you use to control where your money goes – I know it sounds boring but trust me, it will help you feel less stressed about your personal finances
  3. Use a budgeting app to help you organise and keep track of spending, income and expenses
  4. Realign with your core values to ensure you are spending money on a life you truly want and not what you think you want
  5. Set clear financial goals for the quarter or year – reflect and journal on how these goals went
  6. Deal with debt head-on by prioritising debt payments and paying them off as quickly as possible – don’t just ignore them hoping they will go away
  7. Save money each month for a treat purchase, holiday or investment fund
  8. Automate any bill payments so you don’t need to worry about missing due dates
  9. Educate yourself – there are plenty of free financial resources out there so figure out what you want to know and what you don’t know and improve your financial intelligence
  10. Listen to financial or money-related podcasts
  11. Unpack a lifetime of money myths and triggers through financial healing – be your own therapist or try financial therapy
  12. Forgive yourself for any previous bad money habits and expensive mistakes. Move on from the past and reinvent your future financial self
  13. Write down positive money affirmations daily and repeat them out loud
  14. Build a 30-minute weekly financial self-care routine
  15. Check your bank account at least once a week and track your spending
  16. Monitor any suspicious transactions on your statements
  17. Stop spending money on things you don’t need or won’t use
  18. Say no to expensive weekends, nights out or holidays with friends that you don’t really want to do. Remember your boundaries – it’s ok to say no
  19. Enrol on a money mindset course
  20. ReadYou AreA Badass At Making Moneyby Jen Sincero and DO the exercises
  21. Start discussing money with friends who are just as open as you about it
  22. Allocate money in your budget for the occasional treat as a reward for achieving your financial goals and habits
  23. Invest money into outsourcing non-important or urgent tasks so you can focus more time on doing what is important
  24. Start an emergency fund which you can pay into each month. This is separate from a savings fund as it will be used for emergencies only like unexpected expenses
  25. Work with a money coach so you can stay accountable

Save these financial self-care ideas on Pinterest!

25 Financial Self-Care Practices To Help Relieve Stress | Notes by Thalia (2)

Final notes

I am in no way an expert on financial wellness.

I share these self-care ideas in the hope that they will inspire you in some way. Even if that’s just to make you feel less alone as so many people also struggle when it comes to money worries.

These tips are also in no way meant to act as a solution.

They are here to encourage you to start taking better care of your finances so you can take better care of your mental health and well-being.

It’s also important to remember, that self-care will look different to everyone.

It’s about what works for you and what makes you feel good.

I suggest putting together a self-care calendar or tracker to help you track which financial self-care ideas you enjoyed and which ones you would do again.

Rate each ritual out of 5 stars. Ask yourself, “how did this activity make me feel?.”

And why not go one step further and use the

This 18-page planner provides you with the accountability and structure you need to plan rest & self-care so you can wave goodbye to burnout.

Use it to:

  • Build a morning & evening routine that works for you
  • Successfully build better habits
  • Track sleep
  • Map out your meals & exercise for a healthy week
  • Reflect on the day and practice gratitude
  • Plan out a week of self-care activities
  • Journal your thoughts & feelings
  • Plus much much more.

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Until next week,

Thalia xx

Disclaimer: Please note, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links then I will be rewarded at no extra cost to you. Any money earned through affiliates will be put towards running my blog and newsletter.

25 Financial Self-Care Practices To Help Relieve Stress | Notes by Thalia (2024)

FAQs

What is an example of financial self-care? ›

A simple way to practice financial self-care is by scheduling a money date. Choose one day periodically (once a month often works well) and commit to it by plugging it into your calendar. If you share finances with a partner, involve them in the money date as well.

How do you deal with financial stress? ›

How to survive financial stress
  1. Stay active. Keep seeing your friends, keep your CV up to date, and try to keep paying the bills. ...
  2. Get advice. If you're going into debt, get advice on how to prioritise your debts. ...
  3. Do not drink too much alcohol. ...
  4. Do not give up your daily routine.

How does financial stress affect mental health? ›

Effects of financial stress on your health. While we all know deep down there are many more important things in life than money, when you're struggling financially fear and stress can take over your world. It can damage your self-esteem, make you feel flawed, and fill you with a sense of despair.

How do I stop being struggling financially? ›

SHARE:
  1. Prioritize what you can control on discretionary spending.
  2. Find ways to earn more money.
  3. Pay essential bills.
  4. Save money during trying times.
  5. Track your money-saving progress.
  6. Talk to your lenders.
  7. Consult with an expert financial advisor.
May 12, 2023

What are 3 examples of self-care? ›

Here are some self-care tips:
  • Get regular exercise. Just 30 minutes of walking every day can boost your mood and improve your health. ...
  • Eat healthy, regular meals and stay hydrated. ...
  • Make sleep a priority. ...
  • Try a relaxing activity. ...
  • Set goals and priorities. ...
  • Practice gratitude. ...
  • Focus on positivity. ...
  • Stay connected.

What is financial selfcare? ›

Financial self-care is a concept that focuses on mindfully managing your finances and nurturing your relationship with money. It's not just about responsible decision-making, however; it's about making intentional financial choices that reflect your personal values and life goals.

What is an example of financial stress? ›

Financial stress can show up in many different ways, but in general, it relates to any stress you feel as a result of your financial situation. Some examples include: Finding it hard to keep up with living expenses, such as rental or mortgage payments, utility bills, and groceries.

What are 5 emotional signs of stress? ›

Common warning signs of emotional distress include:
  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little.
  • Anger, feeling edgy or lashing out at others.
  • Overwhelming sadness.
  • Pulling away from people and things.
  • Not connecting with others.
  • Lack of energy or always feeling tired.
  • Feeling like you have to keep busy.
Jun 9, 2023

What does financial stress look like? ›

Feeling like you can't keep up with your finances or that you're losing control over your money is a common symptom of financial stress. This might be falling behind on bills, not having a clear understanding of your financial situation, or feeling powerless to make changes.

What are most people struggling with? ›

According to a recent Ramsey Solutions study, 34% of survey respondents indicated that they were either facing financial struggles or were actively in crisis. That's a huge percentage of people -- more than one-third of all respondents -- who are not feeling good about their personal finances.

What is financial stress theory? ›

Financial stress is defined by researchers as the inability to meet one's economic responsibilities and is influenced by attitudes, beliefs, and other psychological factors (Northern, O'Brien, & Goetz, 2010).

Can financial stress cause trauma? ›

Financial trauma can lead to significant mental health consequences, including increased stress, anxiety, depression and feelings of shame, guilt or worthlessness.

How do I rebuild myself financially? ›

It's important to establish new financial goals for yourself. Whether it's paying off debt, investing for the future or saving for a new home, these goals are your goals, which can help inspire you to achieve them. If your goals feel daunting or overwhelming, break them into smaller goals and celebrate the milestones.

What is money anxiety? ›

Financial anxiety, or money anxiety, is a feeling of worry about your money situation. This can include your income, your job security, your debts, and your ability to afford necessities and non-essentials.

How do I provide myself financially? ›

Make a budget to cover all your financial needs and stick to it. Pay off credit cards in full, carry as little debt as possible, and keep an eye on your credit score. Create automatic savings by setting up an emergency fund and contributing to your employer's retirement plan.

What is an example of financially stable? ›

When you are financially stable, you feel confident with your financial situation. You don't worry about paying your bills because you know you will have the funds. You are debt free, you have money saved for your future goals and you also have enough saved to cover emergencies.

What is my financial wellness? ›

Financial wellness is your ability to live within your means and manage your money in a way that gives you peace of mind. It includes balancing your income and expenses, staying out of debt, saving for the future, and understanding your emotions as they relate to money.

How to afford self-care? ›

Many people perceive self-care to be expensive. In reality, the most accessible self-care is often the simplest.
  1. Get enough sleep. It may sound simple, but getting enough sleep can be challenging. ...
  2. Get moving. You don't have to spend money to get moving. ...
  3. Balance your information intake. ...
  4. Eat smarter. ...
  5. Practice grounding.
Sep 19, 2023

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