According to the American Psychological Association, concerns about money, inflation, and the economy are on the rise. And it’s no secret that these kinds of uncertainties are a big driver of stress for many. It creates a sense of both helplessness and hopelessness because it’s impossible to know what’s going to happen, which also makes it feel like it’s impossible to do anything about it. 

Groupon Coupons teamed up with online therapy platform Betterhelp to help you feel more in control of your money and therefore, your future. Because it’s true that there isn’t much we can do as individuals to change big systemic factors, but there is a lot we can do individually to cope.

How to Deal with Money Stress

First things first: Make a Plan. 

Preparation is a huge part of managing stress. Just thinking through a few different scenarios in your mind (or on paper) will help you feel more ready to take on a challenge. Making the plan will look different for everyone, but is likely to start with knowing how much money you make every month and how much you spend every month. It can feel overwhelming, especially at first, but push through that feeling because identifying and understanding the problem is an important step. Once you have a handle on the basics, it will help you feel empowered to make thoughtful choices about where or how you can make some changes.

Shop Smarter with Groupon Coupons

It’s not realistic for anyone to cut out all unnecessary spending. That’s where our shopping experts can help. At Groupon Coupons, we work with brands to help make sure customers don’t miss the best sales and promo codes. Check out this Sephora Sales Calendar or this Home Depot Seasonal Sales Guide for great tips on saving at some of your most-shopped brands. Sign up for Groupon emails to have all these insider saving hacks sent straight to your inbox.

Be Realistic 

Set goals for your spending or saving that are reasonable. If you are too strict or tough on with your pursestrings, you are only setting yourself for failure. And that’s a tough cycle to get out of. Many people find it easier to save when they practice things like No Spend Days—picking certain days of the week and challenging themselves to not spend any money on food, entertainment, or shopping. Another option is to set a Shopping Day—a certain day of the week when you “allow” yourself to buy whatever you’ve put in your cart throughout the week. It’s a good way to cut down on expensive impulse shopping and only buy things you really want or need.

Go Easy on Yourself

Know that you aren’t going to get it right 100% of the time. This is where you need to learn to be kind but accountable to yourself. Lean on your family and friends for support or you could start working with a therapist on Betterhelp. There are more than 20,000 licensed professionals on the Betterhelp platform ready to help you in the comfort of your own home. The costs are very upfront, so there are no surprise co-pays. Take advantage of this Groupon exclusive deal to save 25% off your first month of online therapy with Betterhelp.

As a BetterHelp affiliate, we may receive compensation from BetterHelp if you purchase products or services through the links provided.