Do you worry about money? Most people do. According to SunTrust Bank, the sponsor of this post, 80% of people admit that personal finances keep them awake at night. Nearly one third of adults say that finances keep them from living a healthy lifestyle, and couples who are more financially stressed argue more.
Do any of these problems sound familiar? I usually have our budget managed closely enough that I can sleep at night, but in college and grad schools there were times when I struggled to eat healthily on our meager grocery budget. Junk food calories are cheaper than fruit and vegetable calories! Financial worries have also kept me from making other healthy choices – for example, choosing to take an extra shift at work even though it meant getting less sleep.
I find that planning is the best way out of financial stress. Planning helps me feel in control of my life, which immediately reduces stress! Here are some things we have done that have really helped us work our way to financial freedom (we do still have quite a ways to go, especially since moving to such an expensive part of the country!):
- If you don’t already, start tracking where your money is currently going – every single cent. those pennies really add up!
- Set a savings goal so that you have something concrete to work towards. Look through your spending record to find savings.
- Plan healthy, inexpensive meals so that you don’t end up paying for quick and easy calories. Black beans and rice are my budget meal staple – they are particularly affordable if you cook your own black beans.
- Find free and inexpensive ways to relax and have fun.
Has money kept you from living healthily? Does it keep you up at night? Visit onUp for tips that will help you make your way to financial freedom! If you have a budgeting tip that works especially well, I would love to hear in the comments!
At SunTrust Bank their purpose is lighting the way to financial well-being. When you feel confident about your money, you can save for your goals and spend knowingly on what matters most to you.
The onUp movement was created to guide millions of people one step at a time towards a more financially confident life without ever losing sight of the moments that matter along the way.
Join the growing number of people transforming their stress into positive motivation to move onUp.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of SunTrust. The opinions and text are all mine.
MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.