Fear is a powerful emotion. When experiencing it, you may get put into fight or flight, or you may freeze altogether. These feelings can be so intense and overwhelming that you’re unable to think clearly or take any action whatsoever!
When you have money fears, you’re in a state that doesn’t allow you to build wealth or preserve it to the best of your ability. In fact, you’re more prone to making mistakes that can set you back and take years to recover from!
Most often, fear gets viewed as a negative emotion. You experience it when you feel threatened or perceive danger. However, it can surface when something important is at stake, too – like your financial future!
Whether you realize it or not, everyone has money fears and they impact the way we earn, spend, and save money. For example, some people buy status symbols and try to keep up with the Joneses to overcome their fears of feeling left behind. Similarly, others will go to great lengths to deprive themselves and save because their fear of running out of money is too great!
Having money fears is normal and it’s important to recognize what yours are. Once you’ve identified them, you can implement different financial strategies that will loosen their grip. As a result, you’ll break free, gain confidence, and will have greater success with money!
Here are 10 major money fears that are holding you back from having success!
Financial Fear #1: Talking About Money
Today, talking about money and personal finance is still somewhat taboo. Most people tend to keep their financial position and challenges private because they’re uncomfortable with their situation or fear getting judged!
As difficult as it may be, one of the best things you can do to improve your finances is to talk about them. In doing so, you’ll discover that you’re not alone and that others have been in a similar situation, if not worse. By connecting and learning from other people, you’ll find out the steps that may lead to your financial transformation!
If talking about money is a major fear, you don’t have to disclose your financial standing, either. You can read blogs, listen to podcasts, and join online personal finance communities. In doing so, you’ll get exposed to many different financial concepts without having to divulge the specifics of your situation!
How to Overcome a Fear of Talking About Money
- Sit down with a trusted family member, friend, or money coach
- Join and browse online personal finance groups
- Listen to podcasts about money
- Talk to your spouse about your family’s finances
- Read inspirational personal finance books
Financial Fear #2: Making Mistakes
If you’re like most people, you work hard to earn a living. Day in and day out you spend countless hours away from your family working and trying to make your boss happy. Because of this, the last thing you want to do is make a financial mistake that sets you back!
Unfortunately, some people are so afraid of making a mistake that they do nothing at all. Even if they’re saving money, they let it sit idle in the back because they’re fearful of making a bad investment and losing money. However, whether they realize it or not, inflation is already robbing them blind!
Truth be told, mistakes happen and they’re part of the process of building independent wealth. By making them, you’re able to determine what you could have done differently which allows you to grow. Not only that, but you’ll learn more from your failures than you will from success. Failure builds character, fosters creativity, and strengthens resolve while success only shows that you got it right!
How to Overcome a Fear of Making Mistakes
- Invest in yourself
- Ask for help when you need it
- Take steps to reduce your risk
- Consider the long-term benefits of starting now
- Improve your financial education
Financial Fear #3: Living Paycheck to Paycheck
One of the largest money fears in America is living paycheck to paycheck. Unfortunately, one study found that this is the current reality for over 60% of Americans. They’re struggling to make ends meet, pay bills on time, and many of them are financially insecure.
When you’re living paycheck to paycheck, today’s earnings go towards yesterday’s bills. While you may stay afloat, you experience constant financial strain and pressure to get by. In response, you may rob Peter to pay Paul or take on another job. As a result, more time and effort goes into making money which takes away from the other types of wealth that would lead to having a better quality of life!
One way to get over a fear of living paycheck to paycheck is to budget. With it, you’ll gain clarity on your inflows and outflows. Not only that, but you’ll establish a plan for spending money as well as for saving it!
How to Overcome a Fear of Living Paycheck to Paycheck
- Create a realistic budget
- Lower your monthly expenses
- Learn to be frugal with money
- Decrease your recurring costs
- Find ways to increase your income
Financial Fear #4: Never Getting Out of Debt
Sadly, many Americans are drowning in debt. They may have financed their college education, home, vehicle, and even their wedding. Not to mention, the additional debt that comes from living beyond their means and financing purchases with credit cards!
Oftentimes, it’s easy to take out debt, too. Rather than having the financial discipline to save and delay gratification, it’s easier to get a loan. Not only does this lead to wasting money on interest, but it also prevents people from getting ahead!
If you have a fear of never getting out of debt, then making a plan can help you realize that you can. By understanding what it will take and that it’s possible, you may gain the motivation to start!
How to Overcome a Fear of Never Getting Out of Debt
- Create a debt payoff plan
- Track your progress
- Control your spending
- Cut up your credit cards
- Consider a debt consolidation
Financial Fear #5: Job Loss
One of the most common money fears amongst employees is job loss. When you consider that most of them are completely reliant on their job for their income, this makes sense. Without a job, they’d be in an uncomfortable situation and struggle to make ends meet!
Even high-income earners can fear job loss. Oftentimes, their lifestyle creeps to the point where they’re handcuffed to their job. Regardless of whether they want to work, they need to so that they’re able to pay bills and survive!
It’s sad to say, but people lose jobs every day and it isn’t always their fault. Despite working hard and being loyal for years, the company or economy can take a turn and leave them jobless!
Truth be told, job security is becoming a greater money myth. While you may have one today, there’s no guarantee that it will be here for you tomorrow!
How to Overcome a Fear of Job Loss
- Understand the reasons why you’re afraid
- Increase your emergency fund
- Look for a new job or career
- Build a cash runway
- Create multiple streams of income and receive mailbox money
Financial Fear #6: Salary Negotiation
Too often, workers rely on their employers to tell them the amount they’re worth. But, companies’ primary obligation is to their shareholders, not their workers. Because of this, companies do their best to keep employee compensation at bay!
For many people, salary negotiation is another common money fear. Some even avoid the conversation altogether because they don’t want to appear greedy, fear failing and the repercussions, or haven’t taken the time to prepare. Aside from that, if you don’t negotiate regularly, it can feel unnatural and make you uncomfortable.
However, negotiation is a skill and like most skills, it can be learned. You can take classes, talk with experts, and practice until you figure out what does and does not work. As your skills improve, you’ll gain comfort and confidence. Not only that, but you may even get the courage to ask for everything that you’re worth!
How to Overcome a Fear of Salary Negotiation
- Prepare and practice well in advance
- Recognize your contribution and accomplishments
- Use Salary.com to understand your pay range
- Understand that you have options
- Be willing to walk away
Financial Fear #7: Leaving Your Job
In the past, job and employer loyalty was commonplace because it was rewarded. The longer that workers stuck it out with their employers, the larger their pension would be. But today you’re fiscally responsible for your retirement and leaving your job can be a great way to boost your earnings and reach your goals faster!
In today’s economy, there’s a labor shortage which puts workers in high demand. Many companies are desperate for employees, so they’re willing to pay large salaries to fill their open positions. Not only that, but most workers’ compensation isn’t keeping pace with inflation. While they may be making more money, it isn’t enough to keep up with the rising cost of living!
Like salary negotiation, leaving a job can also be scary. If you leave, you’d be entering into a new environment with unfamiliar people. You may even be gambling on a new company culture, too.
Despite the fear, leaving your comfort zone and your current job can be beneficial. Not only will you likely receive a large pay increase, but you’ll also have more money to put towards your financial goals. Not to mention, you may end up with less responsibility and more time off, too!
How to Overcome a Fear of Leaving Your Job
- Set deadlines and take small steps
- Focus on the benefits
- Talk with a trusted mentor or friend
- Trust your instincts
- Remember that change is a constant in life
Financial Fear #8: Spending Savings
For most people, saving money is hard. First, you have to put in the effort to earn it, then you have to stay on budget so you can save it!
After the time and energy it takes to save money, some people then struggle with spending it. Over the years, they may have endured toxic work environments, bear markets, and even an occasional financial crisis. The last thing they want to do is relive these experiences, so they hold on to their money tight!
Depending on your money personality, you may be surprised that it’s difficult to spend your savings. Even if you’ve amassed a large amount of money, letting it go can still be challenging. Especially when you’ve reached the point that you’re no longer working!
However, it’s important to realize that part of the reason you’ve worked so hard is to allow yourself the opportunity to spend. Over the years, you’ve made sacrifices and at some point, you should enjoy the fruits of your labor. Not only that, spending money on the types of expenses that make you happy leads to a higher quality of life, too!
How to Overcome a Fear of Spending Savings
- Understand why you’re worried about running out of money
- Consider your money mindset
- Realize your progress towards key financial goals
- Reward yourself for working hard
- Spending fun money helps you to enjoy life
Financial Fear #9: Not Having Enough Money
In today’s society, people are obsessed with having more. They’re constantly striving for a larger house, nicer car, and more stuff!
However, when you’re consumed with having more, you’re never going to have enough. You’ll continue working and wasting years of your life while being caught up in an endless pursuit!
But, once you’ve determined what is enough money, then you’ll have a stopping point. You’ll know the amount you need to accumulate to support your ideal lifestyle. Once it’s reached, you can sit back and enjoy your family, health, and mobility while you still have time!
How to Overcome a Fear of Not Having Enough Money
- Determine what is enough money
- Calculate your freedom number
- Realize the relationship between time and money
- Prepare for the risks in the decumulation phase
- Be grateful for all that you have
Financial Fear #10: Financial Ruin
For some people, the fear of financial ruin is so great that it stops them before they even start. They’re so consumed by the fear of losing a fortune that they never get around to creating it in the first place!
The media doesn’t help with the fear of financial ruin, either. They’re captivated by people who were once rich and wealthy and the story that led to their demise!
Oftentimes, the fear of ruin stems from watching financial markets too closely. Their emotions are in a constant state of flux as the market swings from positive to negative and back again!
Watching your net worth rise and fall won’t just make you crazy, but it reinforces this fear. But when you take a long-term approach to investing, you’ll realize that the day-to-day swings don’t matter much, if at all!
Other than taking a long-term approach, starting with low-risk investments can also ease the fear of financial ruin. By putting money into something like a bond or index fund, you’re more likely to have a financial gain and thus a profitable experience. Realizing that you can use your money to make more money may even spur you to get serious about building wealth!
How to Overcome a Fear of Financial Ruin
- Build a solid financial foundation
- Use a conservative investment strategy
- Boost your emergency fund
- Diversify your equity investments
- Understand what’s in your circle of control
No matter your money fears, they can be powerful. They can prevent you from starting or can stop you in your tracks. But, that will only happen if you let them.
Acknowledging that you have money fears is one of the first steps to overcoming them. It allows you to recognize what’s been holding you back and why. With these insights, you’ll know the steps you need to take to move forward and past them!
As you tackle your money fears, you’ll grow and gain confidence. Not only will this help you build wealth, but it can give you the self-assurance you need to pursue your dreams, too!
Which of these money fears are holding you back from success? Comment below.
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