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Take control of your money – and your peace of mind.

Financial worries can cause severe emotional stress.  Money-related anxiety can affect your sleep, relationships and overall mental health. The good news? A practical, realistic budget can help bring back a sense of control. Here’s how to take back control of your life.

Why budgeting helps reduce stress

If you know where your money is going, you’ll feel more in control. Budgeting isn’t about depriving yourself of the things you love, it’s about making smarter choices with your money. In the end, your money will work for you, not against you.

Benefits of budgeting:

• Less anxiety about money
• Helps you make better decisions about where your money is going
• Start saving for retirement and emergencies
• Reduced guilt over spending money on the things that matter to you
• A clear plan to help you reach your financial goals

Budgeting tips you can implement today

You don’t need fancy tools or financial expertise to begin taking control of your finances. Just take some time and be honest with yourself.

Know your money

• Write down your total monthly income and expenses.
• Remember to include fixed costs like rent, transport and insurance, as well as variable ones like groceries and entertainment.

Use the 50/30/20 rule

• 50% for needs like housing and food.
• 30% for wants like eating out and hobbies.
• 20% for savings or debt repayments.

Track your spending weekly

• Use a budgeting app or a simple notebook.
• Spot patterns and areas to cut back on.

Build an emergency fund – You’ll be thankful for this one

• Start small. Even saving R100 a week adds up over time.
• It helps prevent stress from unexpected expenses.

Get everyone on the same page

• Budgeting works best when everyone in the household understands the need to budget and is involved with the planning.
• Discuss shared financial goals and remember to set your boundaries.

Avoid these stress traps

These common pitfalls can keep you feeling stuck:

• ignoring your budget once it’s set
• comparing your spending to others
• overusing credit for non-essential items

Instead, focus on progress over perfection. Every small step counts.

Want help managing financial stress?
Speak to your employee assistance programme (EAP) provider about tools and resources available through your benefits that support mental and financial wellbeing.