According to Time Magazine, at least 51% of people have had some kind of financial anxiety since the pandemic began. This number is not surprising. We live in a consumerist society where we are driven to the point where our cups are full and overflowing. Picture this – your cup, full of stuff: the house that’s way too big, the cars that are more than needed, automatically renewed subscriptions you’ve completely forgotten about, then something unexpected happens.
Cue the anxiety – It’s like a rock that’s dropped into the cup. The cup overflows. It spills out and affects not only you, but the people around you. You no longer have the space for family, relationships, or the things that really matter in your life, because you have to clean up the mess and there’s no room in the cup. This is what I want to help prevent happening to you! Here are three practical steps to reduce financial anxiety before it ever happens.
1. Simplify – When we simplify, reducing the things in our lives that are not needed, we create margin for the things that do matter. When the rock drops in the cup, there is space for it because the cup wasn’t full! There is wisdom in simplifying and being intentional. Being intentional with our resources allows for us to create this space, reducing anxiety. Remember, God can fill any part of our lives that feels incomplete or empty. This is something I’ve personally struggled with my whole life. Simplifying is one way we can surrender control. Surrendering to Him brings peace knowing we have all we need in Him.
2. Plan – Let’s take the time and learn where we are going and how our actions are affecting our movement towards our personal goal – put a plan in place! Believe it or not, God gave us math and statistics to help us know whether we are doing the right things to help us get from A to B. If you don’t know how to practically do this, Redeem Wealth can help! This is where we can take you through a process to help you know if your financial life is in alignment with who you are and where you want to be.
3. Automate – We don’t need to spend extra time trying to do more than what’s needed. This is why you’ve planned to begin with. There is nothing worse than missing time with family, friends, or the people you are serving in your job, because you are trying to DIY. Let’s put our savings, bill paying, investing, portfolio management, and tax strategies on autopilot. If you knew you could trust that the process was going to lead you to financial success and freedom, wouldn’t you choose that over trying to maximize your returns (spoiler alert, research shows it can’t be done) by doing it yourself?
Redeem Wealth was created for exactly this. We want you to be able to live a wealthy life, creating the margin and space so that you have the financial freedom to thrive in your purpose. I am excited to share more of my story, including my struggles (yes, I am a financial planner, but I have behavioral issues as well) as an encouragement to take this challenge and move towards freedom from your financial anxiety.
Resources: Here are a couple of resources that have helped shape my thoughts on this.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry
Margin: Restoring Emotional, Physical Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives
Leviticus 19:5-10
[Jeremy Sharp, financial planner and owner of Redeem Wealth, a faith-driven wealth management firm, is passionate about the colliding worlds of faith and finance. His family of five are active in their neighborhood church, where he also leads the worship team. Jeremy and his wife Grace are passionate about the foster care crisis and support organizations that bring awareness to how people can love and support underserved adults and kids in their local community. Contact: Jeremy@Redeemwealth.com]
Life Thoughts Today 