{"id":106794,"date":"2025-07-17T17:49:10","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T21:49:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blackgirlnerds.com\/?p=106794"},"modified":"2025-07-17T17:50:36","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T21:50:36","slug":"why-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-in-2025-is-destroying-your-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blackgirlnerds.com\/why-living-paycheck-to-paycheck-in-2025-is-destroying-your-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Living Paycheck to Paycheck in 2025 Is Destroying Your Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Financial emergencies can be scarier than The Demogorgon from Stranger Things.<\/em><\/a> When you\u2019re living paycheck to paycheck is difficult and can make you terrified of unexpected expenses.   <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It could be new brake pads, a cavity, or any other financial emergencies that can make you contemplate how you can rob a bank and get away with it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The common advice is to save money for emergencies. However, in this economy, saving money seems like a luxury. According to the consumer price index, prices are 26% higher than before the pandemic.<\/a> Higher prices translate into using every cent of your paycheck to make ends meet, which can cause stress, anxiety, and overall eat away at your mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might think that if something happens, you\u2019ll find the money, you\u2019ll figure it out. However, your nervous system is pleading for you to stop living in a constant state of fight or flight<\/a>. To do your mental health a favor, it\u2019s vital to be financially prepared by having an emergency savings account. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Money isn\u2019t evil, but it\u2019s the root cause of your stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Financial stress can take a toll on your mental health. While everyone may occasionally experience money-related stress from time to time, your perception of the situation can make all the difference. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your phone slips from your pocket and hits the concrete, shattering your screen, you\u2019d probably start panicking. Your heart would start thumping out of your chest. This moment of panic can last for a few moments or hours and days, depending on your financial circumstances. If you had $10,000 in your savings, you\u2019d probably mourn the loss for a moment, buy a new phone, and continue with your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, if you only have $100 saved, you\u2019d most likely panic, start praying to whatever God you believe in, and hope your rich aunt will take pity on you and gift you $500.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Jeffrey Anvari-Clark<\/a>, a professor of social work at the University of North Dakota, people who view financial setbacks as something difficult to recover from can trigger health problems such as substance abuse, high blood pressure, heart problems, and depression. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, how do you stop waking up in the middle of the night, wondering how you\u2019re going to pay for groceries and repair your bathroom toilet that keeps on overflowing? The simple answer is emergency savings. Let\u2019s talk about how you can realistically build that savings on a tight budget. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Realistically building your emergency savings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Building your savings will take time, willpower, and the ability to say no to buying shiny new things. However, once you have solid emergency savings, you can go back to enjoying the finer things in life, without worrying how you\u2019re going to pay for something you need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Assess your financial situation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Before you start saving money, it\u2019s important to know how much you\u2019re making and how much you\u2019re spending. Take a look at your recent pay stubs. Understand how much on average you\u2019re making, and how much is being taken out for taxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next, assess how much you\u2019re spending on your basic needs. This is everything you need to pay for, like rent, gas, food, insurance, etc, to survive. Add up your total for your mandatory expenses and subtract it from your average income. Whatever is left over is what you\u2019ll divide between your savings and spending on things that are nice to have but not necessary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When reviewing your finances, it\u2019s important to be honest with yourself. If you notice you\u2019re overspending in some areas, take the opportunity to create new spending habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have a goal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Depending on how much you have left over when you pay your bills, you want to create a savings goal. The key here is to start small. Setting a goal for $100, $300, or even $1000 will help you get started. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Once you get into a routine of saving, you can start to increase that goal number. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Create a system for saving<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Once you have your goal, you want to create a system that helps you prioritize savings. This can look like<\/p>\n\n\n\n