Money worries? Consider these tips to calm financial stress.

Money worries can take a toll on your mental and physical health. They can make it hard to sleep and lead to disagreements with the people you love.

But there is hope. There are a variety of ways to manage expenses to dramatically ease some of the stress that comes with running your household.  

Here are a few strategies to try:

1. Practice sound financial habits. Whatever your age or stage of life, you can benefit by following a few money management basics such as:

• Make a budget. Write down how much you earn and how much you spend on essentials like rent, phone, gas, etc. Then see where you might reduce expenses.  
• Be careful about debt. If you worry about money, be cautious about credit card use — especially for non-essential expenses. If you’re in debt, work on a plan to pay it off.  
• Save every month. Put even just a few dollars a month into a savings account or piggy bank. As it grows over time, you can feel good about getting into this helpful practice.  
• Watch for scams. Thieves use email, phone calls, text messaging, social media and apps to trick people out of money and valuable information. Read about a few common scams noted by the federal government. Talk to friends and family for help to stay safe.  
• Set strategies to curb impulse spending. If boredom or stress tempt you to shop or gamble, develop strategies to help you stick to your savings plan. This might be “freezing” your credit card in ice or removing apps from your phone.  

2. Check into ways to save or manage medical care costs. There are a few ways to set yourself and your family up when it comes to making the most of your money for medical care, including:  

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). This type of savings account lets you set aside money on a pre-tax basis to pay for qualified medical expenses. By using untaxed dollars in an HSA to pay for expenses, you may be able to lower your overall healthcare costs. Read more about HSAs.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). If you have a health plan through a job, you can use an FSA to pay for healthcare costs, like deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and some medications. Using this account can lower your taxes. Learn more about FSAs.
• Insurance plans and benefits. Does your insurance feel like a good fit for your needs? Would a lower cost plan cover you better? See if you can change now or plan to switch at your next open enrollment period. Read this post as a guide on coverage choices.  
• Payment plans and financial assistance. If your medical bills are more than you can pay at one time, talk to the financial team at the billing office for your provider(s). They can often set up a payment plan or explore assistance that may help your situation. Learn about financial assistance at PeaceHealth.

3. Explore other ways to make ends meet. Look for organizations or people who are willing and able to provide support with things like:

• Help with utilities. Staying warm (or cool) and having running water or sewer service are key to staying healthy.  
• Food assistance. Getting enough of the right food is essential to good health. Pantries in your area may help fill some gaps in your family’s cupboard.  
• Help with transportation. Having a reliable way to get to the store or a medical appointment can make all the difference in how you feel.  

It’s helpful to understand how social factors play a part in your well-being. Consider carefully the longer term effect of trying to get along without something important. Skimping too much can lead to illness or injury, which can cause more damage in the long run.  

For any or all of the areas above, see what’s available in PeaceHealth communities.  

There’s one more vital tip when it comes to finances and that is…be open about your situation. While Americans tend to be private about money worries, you'll soon find you're not alone.

Reach out to people in your circle of friends, family or faith community for encouragement or guidance.  

Your employer benefits might include financial counseling. Or ask your credit union or bank about connecting with someone with expertise to help you set a budget, build your savings or pay off debt.

Sharing your concerns can help you see things in a new way. It might also help you find solutions to the things that are causing you to lose sleep.