Before I get started into the tips I have, I wanted to let you in on my personal life a little bit so you dear readers can understand that I feel for you when it comes to financial anxiety. I work two part time jobs in order to pay for tuition, books, rent, groceries and any other expenses.Let me tell you, the amount of stress I have each month is crazy! But it shouldn’t have to be this way! You can work hard and make it through. Here are some things I do in my personal life to reduce financial stress and make getting out of bed in the morning a little easier.
1. STOP Comparing Yourself
This is the biggest piece of advice I could ever give. Now I know you’re thinking that its easier said than done to not compare yourself and you’re very much correct. However, if you can change or improve your mindset with regard to your own personal situation, it can do wonders. Listen, I will be deep and let you know that I’ve been working since 16, I’ve been paying for my own individual life and expenses since that age and I took a gap year between high school and university to earn money to cover the cost of my first year of university.I ended up working 3 jobs totalling to 80 hours a week and man that was difficult. However, I paid my first year of school fully myself! If I could go back in time and give little 16-year-old me advice, it would be to continue to work hard and focus on my own goals. I wish I knew that one day this would all pay off. This piece of advice is something I’m trying to do more these days and I get it, it is quite difficult because it’s so easy to see your friends, your co-workers and your roommates easily spending money on groceries or clothes but understand that’s their life. You’ll never move further forward in your life if you continuously look back and look at others. Yes, maybe your life would be a lot easier if you didn’t have this hanging over your head all the time; however, we can’t dwell on what could be, we must focus on the now, we must focus on working hard in our own personal lives to get us where we want to be. Each person’s financial journey is their own. It’ll be different, much like people’s own personal life journey in general. Looking at others and wishing you could be them will forever make your situation worse and honestly, most of it is pretend. People make it appear that they’re more put together than they actually are. Besides, I’ve said this many times and I’ll say it again; you define your own life. You’re doing amazing and you should be proud of yourself. It’s okay if your life doesn’t look like so and so. This is your life and you will one day understand. all your hard work will pay off.
2. Budget Baby!!
Now I’m sure you’ve heard many people say this but honestly seeing what you owe each month visually can help. Make a spreadsheet with all of your expenses and due dates. If you want to make this very visually appealing, my suggestion is check out some examples on social media (TikTok, YouTube). Having a spending plan will keep you in check and help reduce stress as you can ensure you’ll meet your financial needs and obligations. To take this a step further, define your short-term and long-term financial goals. I know this can be difficult based off part-time employment; however setting goals, even small ones, helps keep the stress lower in the end. Give it a try and see exactly what works for you.
3. There will be BETTER DAYS- HANG IN THERE!!!
Lastly, the tip I give to you is that there will be better days. Days that you’ve worked so hard for to get there. Days that you’ll look back at and realize you truly did get through it. No matter what, if you remain positive and keep a healthy mindset with your financial journey, there will be days in the future you won’t be this stressed! Remind yourself that financial success is a journey and you have and will always have the capability to overcome any challenges that come your way! It takes a lot of mental strength to work through school, to be your own person and to pay for your own personal life.
Keep a healthy mindset, remind yourself why you’re doing this and remember that there will be better days that come from this. Just keep working hard and never let anyone and I mean anyone, make you feel upset or stressed in your journey. This is YOUR journey and you’re doing great my dear!