Page 2 | To be constantly thinking/worried about money? How do I stop?

Moneyworrier12 · 2025-10-31T08:26:54+00:00

I know this is really silly, but after a good few years of worrying about money and watching every penny I really just cannot stop. I have no need to worry right now and I know that that’s the hard thing. I watch every penny in my account every day. I have 1446 in my current account to last me until the 25th. This is not including any bills or food, so it’s literally just left over. But I’m constantly thinking of what do I need? What will I spend that on? How much is that per day? What can I save? It’s driving me insane. Do I need to talk to somebody or is this absolutely normal? anyone else the same?

zazazaaar · 31/10/2025 08:43

It sounds like anxiety, that had focused on money.
The first good thing is that you don't need to worry. What works for me when I get like this is mindfulness.
What helps for these thoughts is to give him a label like "money".
Every time I think about money acknowledge the thought, and actively in your brain label it "money". When it comes back again, call it "money" again. Keep repeating. Don't get annoyed that you're still thinking of it, if you accidentally forget to do it, don't worry. Eventually, after a week or so, your brain gets bored of it and it will significantly reduce.
Its amazing.

lynnebenfieldshandbag · 31/10/2025 08:42

I think this is obsessive compulsive thinking and it’s irrelevant that it’s about money. Some people fret constantly about having turned the oven off or locked their front door. Some people wash their hands obsessively. This seems like another version of that.

I would go and see a therapist if you can. CBT teaches you how to stop these thought loops and reduce anxiety.

childofthe607080s · 31/10/2025 08:39

It takes a long time

and it’s not like you should stop thinking at all

and also I think there is an element of guilt - I now have whilst others dont? I mean I know I have worked and I have a mathematical brain that is highly valued and I still have way less than so many around me … but I have way more than others and it makes it hard

Original poster

Moneyworrier12 · 31/10/2025 08:39

Meredusoleil · 31/10/2025 08:38

Have you ever been scammed or had your accounts hacked leading to lots of money being stolen/lost?

No never.

OP posts:

Meredusoleil · 31/10/2025 08:38

Have you ever been scammed or had your accounts hacked leading to lots of money being stolen/lost?

Original poster

Moneyworrier12 · 31/10/2025 08:36

REDB99 · 31/10/2025 08:32

I’m a single parent and am so conscious that if I lose my job there would be no income at all. I have saved a lot and continue to save despite having a very good rainy day fund (well over two years worth of living costs).
Do you have money for emergencies?
Over £1400 is a lot for general monthly spending so you can afford to relax and not worry but I completely get how you feel although I do not check constantly how much money I have. Is there an amount you could have saved that would bring security?

I crossposted with you, I have savings and I still feel this way. Maybe I just need time. 😔 I thought I would be better by now, but I actually kind of feel like I’m getting worse.

OP posts:

Original poster

Moneyworrier12 · 31/10/2025 08:34

APatternGrammar · 31/10/2025 08:30

It took about ten years to wear off for me, and I still have habits that are conditioned by that time in my life, though I no longer add up everything when I go round the supermarket.
To some extent, in my case I think these habits are good for me. I am very thoughtful and strategic about money without having anxiety about it.
Do you think you can try to refocus in a positive way, such as looking at the skills you will have learned from watching every penny and chanelling your savings into something positive? Having an emergency fund may also help.
If you can’t refocus alone, counselling may be able to help you do this.

Edited

you see this is the frustrating thing I have an emergency fund. I have bought my own house. I am so much more secure than I ever was. I have ample savings put aside. None of this relaxes me.
I like to just focus on my current account because I don’t want to have to touch the emergency fund or savings. It’s like I have this mentality that if I touch them for any reason that I have failed. I wake up thinking about money I check my balance every morning. I check it before I go to sleep every time I spend money I recheck my balance and work out what my daily spend could be by dividing what’s left by the amount of days left until payday. It’s just exhausting.

OP posts:

REDB99 · 31/10/2025 08:32

I’m a single parent and am so conscious that if I lose my job there would be no income at all. I have saved a lot and continue to save despite having a very good rainy day fund (well over two years worth of living costs).
Do you have money for emergencies?
Over £1400 is a lot for general monthly spending so you can afford to relax and not worry but I completely get how you feel although I do not check constantly how much money I have. Is there an amount you could have saved that would bring security?

Original poster

Moneyworrier12 · 31/10/2025 08:31

Buttcraic · 31/10/2025 08:27

Did you grow up in poverty? I think they call it lack mentality. I'm like it too for that reason.

No. But I’ve gone through a divorce and things were precarious for a while.

OP posts:

Andregroup · 31/10/2025 08:31

Why not move £1000 of that to a savings account? Might stop you thinking about it, if it's 'gone'.

APatternGrammar · 31/10/2025 08:30

It took about ten years to wear off for me, and I still have habits that are conditioned by that time in my life, though I no longer add up everything when I go round the supermarket.
To some extent, in my case I think these habits are good for me. I am very thoughtful and strategic about money without having anxiety about it.
Do you think you can try to refocus in a positive way, such as looking at the skills you will have learned from watching every penny and chanelling your savings into something positive? Having an emergency fund may also help.
If you can’t refocus alone, counselling may be able to help you do this.

AMillionTomorrows · 31/10/2025 08:29

It comes from having struggled in the past and is really hard to let go of. I’d spend your spare cash on a few CBT sessions to help you with the anxiety.

Buttcraic · 31/10/2025 08:27

Did you grow up in poverty? I think they call it lack mentality. I'm like it too for that reason.