PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE

Please hear me when I say, it’s not your fault. Your financial situation is not your fault, because you were not given the proper tools to succeed. Society did not teach you, the education system did not teach you, and your parents probably did not have the tools themselves to teach you. Many people face systems that have been set up to prevent

Declutter your home—especially your main living areas—so there is less stuff to clean and put away (you could also sell some of this stuff for a little extra cash injection)

Buy items in bulk that you use often (e.g., toilet paper) to save on costs and reduce your trips to the store • Double recipes when cooking meals and freeze the leftovers so you have meals ready to go on low-energy or tough mental health days

Take advantage of free/low-cost resources such as books, podcasts, and apps.

Join local or online support groups.

Triggering feelings of anxiety or panic • Constant worry leading to difficulty sleeping • Strain on relationships and social life • Feelings of shame and isolation • Inability to afford to manage mental health

If you’re worried about money, this will impact many of your daily activities.

The key is working on consistently making decisions that feel good and support your goals and not beating yourself up when you make one bad decision. The best thing you can do is just readjust for next time and keep moving forward.