Spending Money Causes Anxiety

[DDNatureLover]

Back when I was working full time, I always knew that would be another paycheck, and I also had savings. Although I've always had health concerns, I was pretty much able bodied back then, and if I wanted something that was out of my budget, I would pick up extra hours, get a part time job in addition to my full time one, do a few focus groups, sell something, and things of that nature, to bring in some extra funds. There always seemed to be a way to make money, but now that I'm disabled, the savings are gone, and everyday expenses are a challenge. Since my financial situation changed, I have noticed that I get very stressed out when I have to spend money. I've gotten it under control somewhat, because in the past, I would literally break out in a sweat in the store while shopping, and feel as if I were going to faint. I now have learned to do without many things I used to think were necessities, so that I won't be under as much stress. I used to love shopping, and would joke about using 'retail therapy' to manage my depression and anxiety, so my feelings about stores and shopping in general have done a complete turnaround, and in addition to not being able to use shopping as a coping mechanism, I have had to learn new skills to help me manage the stress induced from shopping. 


Does anyone else experience this? 

 

[amy88]

I grew up in a situation where we definitely didn't have a lot in the way of income - so I guess to a degree it's always worried me a bit. As soon as I was old enough to have a job of my own I would save as much of my paycheck as I could - and I still try and do that to this day.


For me I think that being frugal helps our household, because we save money - but I feel like even when I save, money is still a worry in the back of my mind.

 

[kelden]

Yeah, I think is kind of understandable after going through the trauma of being poor. The uncertainty of losing the meager source of income  and end up starving and homeless might cause a lot of anxiety and stress over the person. Even when you're able to overcome that awful situation, the fear is still latent.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

I think I can understand that kind of feeling. I am now out of work. Not because I don't want to work anymore. It's more like I am now trying to get back to full health first. It's been a few months since I was discharged from the hospital. I think I am making progress from day to day. My son is taking care of all the bills and he can well afford to do that. However, I still want to be financially independent again. There's nothing like spending money from my own pocket instead of asking my son when I need to buy something.

 

[lexinonomous]

Spending money always gives me anxiety. I know that I do not always need the things I spend money on. My fiance is nice enough to trust me with his debit card, allowing me to spend money when needed on things such as food. Every once in a while I will buy myself a coffee that I clearly don't need, but feel it will give me an energy boost. I experience the worst guilt when it comes to this. When it's my own money I'm spending, I still feel guilty knowing that I could have saved money to attend an event or buy something for someone's birthday. Spending money makes you rethink your needs and wants. It's no wonder we experience anxiety while spending.

 

[Alex]

When my financial situation changed it was hard, but I knew it was going to happen and nothing can prepare you mentally for it. It's hard to see on Facebook people going out, posting photos of their new purchases, or status updates of where they are jetting off. I never did that in any case, but I noticed it and that was another reason to deactivate my account.


It's not so much envy, but letting go of the life I once had for the time being. It is only material though, but when you can't do the things you used to do it's hard to stop when it was second nature. In time you adjust, but there is always a little yearning.

 

[Surrender]

Yes I certainly have experienced this. I have always been a saver and it usually hurts me to spend money on unexpected necessities, like repairs, maintenance, etc.  Medical bills in the mail give me huge anxiety and I ask my husband not to show them to me or tell me about them because they really upset me, even though we have an HSA to pay for them. 


For me I think it is because I've seen how money can change your life, my parents came from nothing, both became quite successful business owners, then we lost both businesses when my dad died. So I went from feeling poor to rich to poor again, it sucks. 

 

[Choochoo]

I'd say I experience this to a lesser degree maybe. Most of the time I really don't want to spend my money but on some days when I'm feeling good I can't stop spending. On the days when I'm feeling stingy though it would be very difficult for anyone to make me part with my money. I suppose most of it also is due to the fact that I have very limited income as of the moment which is why I'm trying to work more jobs online so I could hopefully breathe a little easier when spending. 

 

[kgord]

I haven't had a regular job for ages. I have made do with rental income, part time jobs, and help from a friend. It isn't a good place to be, and making ends meet is a struggle every month. Plus the jobs I have applied for, I haven't had a positive response. So, I can understand totally what you are talking about. Howver, I am trying to sell my house, so I am not stuck with a mortgage payment every month. This is where a lot of the income I do have goes.

 

[sidney]

Well not really, since I still live with my parents, so even if I come up short, I still won't have to worry about rent, food and paying the bills. I only have to worry about my personal expenses. I guess when I really become 100% independent then that's the time I would get anxious about spending.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

I think there's only one real way to allay this anxiety about spending money. We just have to save up something for those days when we are not making enough. I am sure that when we are making money, it's possible to squeeze out ten percent to put aside. Ten percent is not much. Just ten cents out of every dollar. However, when we are not making any money, that little bit of savings can be a life-saver. For one, it will give us a positive feeling. It means that while we are down, we are not totally out yet.

 

[cluckeyo]

We recently restructured our financial situation. We went from carrying credit card balances, to paying the card off in full each month. And we established an emergency fund. I can hardly believe the changes that have come over out finances. Just by paying the card in full each month, we have managed to amass a tidy savings. It makes a lot of difference in life. We now have enough that even if we bought a car (a nice used car), we could pay cash. Credit cards can really put you in the poor house if your not careful!

 

[WorkAtHomeGal]

From 2009 until 2015 I was constantly in fear and anxiety about my credit card debt that happened because of addiction. And because of being not smart at the time and spending money on a couple online ventures that were scams or not profitable... I eventually went and saw a financial advisor and from there I declared bankruptcy. I am not happy about it since I am 30 in a month but before proceeding I thought of my life thus far and wondered what really would be accomplished between then and when my credit can rebuild. I also right now am struggling money wise a bit. I saved every cent from my garden job but only have enough to cover 1 month of bills. So I am hoping after today I have a job at the Dollerama. I have an interview at 2:30pm. Here is to hoping. I know what it is like to be poor and just getting by as they put it... Money isn't everything though! So I try to think of the little things that give me a smile... It is Fall so I have lots to smile about, pumpkins and pretty leaves and having a roof over my head.

 

[djanx]

I am glad that you decided to share your story. While it is extremely hard when you have basically run out of savings, and you don't see any other way out. There almost always is! Firstly, solve the problem which is related to the paycheck. Find a support group that helps people with your disability get paid work. Since you are able to type, I am assuming you can write as much as you want. And this means that you can write as a journalist, analyst, coder, financial expert, etc. Some will obviously require you to pass an exam, but as long as you have the internet and a support group, you will do just fine. So, find work asap. IF there isn't a support group near you, I recommend you raise the funds via crowdfunding and setup such a group. This may seem like a stretch, but I would donate to any entrepreneur, but a social entrepreneur who's facing a disability? I would definitely invest in such an entrepreneur. And I am sure most people would too! 

 

[Laneorexorcist]

I think that this got to me recently when I actually started to spending the money that I've gained, not the money that my parents have given to me. I'm trying to take care of it and spend it wisely because it has costed me a lot... And that's definitely something that I wasn't aware before. I personally wouldn't call it anxiety but I hesitate to buy something that I know that I need, maybe I just need to let myself go a little bit more. 

 

[stephonline]

I know that paying bills does make me have anxiety. Knowing that bills are due really make me freak out. I just realized that I have a bill due in a few days and it shot a panic into my heart. I felt a physical pain sensation. Does anyone else feel this way as well?

 

[Panic57]

I totally get the horror of having to pinch pennies and extend your money as far as you can.  I've had to deal with not having work in-between certain times that watching your savings quickly dwindle can be really scary.  I'm in the middle of working with limited funds as I build up extra sources of income. The future is iffy at the moment but I have a plan that I'm working towards that even if I don't have customers asking for my work, I still have an income working for me.  You should do the same so that you don't have to relieve that stress if you don't have to.

 

[Aree Wongwanlee]

Well, I don't have any debts now. Everything I buy, I buy in cash. True, this limits what I can buy but there is a certain peace of mind which money cannot buy. To wake up each morning and not worry about where to get the money to keep up with the installments is a blessing which only those who buy in cash can enjoy.

 

[djanx]

Yeah pinching pennies is the most terrifying thing. But, its also one of the most important things to do. I wait around for discounts on my favorite products and even then it takes a lot of effort on my part to pull the trigger on a purchase.

 

[explorerX7]

If have been down this road before. It's frustrating and may usually causes some anxious moments when there are a number of demands and bills to be met and the amount of money that is available is not adequate to meet these needs. Most of the time I would have to be pinching the resources and if I am purchsing some items, I sometimes really become if the cost is seeming to cut into the budget for other items that I would have to buy. Any rise in utility costs may also be an anxiety trigger.