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Think you could be an ostrich?

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It might be time to take a hard look at your finances.

That way, it’s possible for you to start to make smarter decisions with your money.

Content vs.

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Trapped

What does it mean to be financially content?

Youre in charge of your own financial well-being, even when economic times get tough.

That leads to an unaffordable lifestyle.

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Reassessing your budget and getting rid of unnecessary expenses can get you back to a healthier financial status.

Are You Trapped by Your Finances?

Its hard to judge your own financial situation from the inside.

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After all, youre working toward your goals and making smartinvestments right?

Sethi explained that its totally normal to ignore hard facts when it comes to your finances.

Everyone wants to feel like theyre doing alright, even when theyre struggling.

Do you feel guilty about spending alittle extra moneyon something fun?

Its smart to avoid overspending.

Using that 30% for the occasional splurge can help make your budget more sustainable in the long term.

If you said yes:Take a look at your budget.

Do you have room for a fun outing at least once a month?

If not, you may need to make a change to give yourselfmore wiggle room.

However, if you find yourself glued to your online account, you might be under financial stress.

According to arecent surveyconducted by CNBC and SurveyMonkey, around 65% of Americans live from paycheck to paycheck.

Breaking the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle is the best way to stop stressing over your balance and put the phone down.

The more subscriptions you cancel, the bigger the financial cushion youll have each month.

Eliminating automatic payments also means you wont have to worry about your account suddenly becoming overdrawn.

Waking Up Anxious

Morning anxiety can be a sign of excess stress.

If youre worried about your finances, you might wake up with a sense ofdread or fear.

Thats no way to start your day and it wont help you make smarter decisions.

Whether youre stressed about debt, an upcoming expense or simply making ends meet, something has to change.

Dont ignore physical signs that your current situation is taking a toll on you.

If you said yes:Its time to address your financial situation head-on.

Struggling To Step Away From Work

Having trouble unplugging when youre out of the office?

A lack of a work-life balance is another sign of financial anxiety.

You might feel like youre going to disappoint your boss or coworkers if you dont respond.

Either way, your work is getting in the way of your well-being.

If so, consider looking for a new position.

Ahealthy work-life balanceis more important than climbing the ladder at a company that doesnt treat you well.

Take note of how you feel when a friend tells you about their new promotion or home purchase.

Those negative reactions could be a sign of deeper unfulfillment.

You dont need to make new friends you gotta make big changes.

You should feel like youre working toward your own achievements instead of being stuck in place.

Part of financial freedom is choosing how and when you earn your income.

If you said yes:Take some time to consider changing career fields.

It might be more achievable than you think.

Wanting To Escape

Do you often think about buying a van and leaving it all behind?

That appealing fantasy may not be a healthy one.

Escapism is a jot down of coping strategy that involves ignoring unpleasant situations instead of confronting them.

If you said yes:Dont buy that van just yet.

Set aside some time every day forserious financial planning and problem-solving.

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