How do you feel about money right now? Is it stressing you out? You are not alone. In fact, I’m right here with you. Our family is considering a HUGE decision and figuring out the money to cover all the expenses associated with this decision is STRESSING. ME. OUT. So let me ask you: Is money helping or hurting your home? Here on the blog, we’re on Day 11 of the 28 Day Challenge to fill your home with love. I’m sharing practical tips to help us reduce money stress and watch those “love meters” go up! Your family will thank you!

This is part of the 28 Day Challenge to Fill Your Home with Love! If you haven’t joined the challenge & my email list, you can do it here:

Today we’re on Day 11 of the Challenge: Use the tips below to Reduce Money Stress

You are probably more blessed (and less stressed) than you think.

The more I think about it, the more I realize it. We are very blessed. Our family has more than we need. My husband and I love our jobs. Our kids are happy in school and sports. In many ways, money has been a blessing and a help in our home. (Oh, and let’s not forget our pets! Our dog, Ella, and guinea pig, Colin, love their food, snacks and toys!)

So yes, money has been a blessing to our home. And I thank God for His provision in so many ways.

But money (or lack thereof) can also be the MAIN cause of strife at home. And that has been the case for me — growing up and still now sometimes.

[click_to_tweet tweet=”Money fights drain our homes of peace and fill them with strife. That’s not ok. Not here. We’re filling up our homes with love! ” quote=”Money fights drain our homes of peace and fill them with strife. That’s not ok. Not here. We’re filling up our homes with love! “]

When we focus on what we don’t have and that’s all we can see in our homes, that level of “strife” starts to go up.But what if we focus on the blessings? What if we made a list of the ways God has provided? And what if, more importantly, we make a list of the blessings we enjoy that money can’t buy?

Go ahead and start with your list. And then check out these tips to reduce money stress!

This could seriously turn our week around! 

7 Tips to Reduce Money Stress

1. Take a deep breath. And pray.

• Seriously. If money stresses you out, the best place to start is here. Take a deep breath and let go of the stress. Let God have those worries. And ask him for help.

2. Read these Bible verses to help you deal with financial stress.

• My favorite is Philippians 4:19 “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

3. Meet with a money-savvy friend.

• If you have a money savvy friend, invite them for coffee! Ask them for tips. Share your questions and stress. Many times, their counsel is practical common sense and it can remind you that you CAN do this! But what if you don’t have a money-savvy friend? Try the next tip!

4. Take a personal finance class.

• My husband and I took Financial Peace University at our church and it helped us have better money conversations. Truth be told? We’re a work in progress. But I believe we have a “debt-free scream” in our future!

5. Read money management books.

• I read Financial Peace by Dave Ramsey in my 20s. It gave me hope that bad situations can be turned around.
• But there are SO MANY MONEY BOOKS! Here’s my Amazon affiliate link to a GREAT list of budgeting and money management Best Sellers on Amazon.  (All the affiliate link means is that, if you click and buy, I may get a small commission at no extra charge to YOU!)

6. Hire a financial coach.

• Or at least reach out to one. I randomly met a couple on Twitter who happened to be financial coaches. We became Twitter and Instagram friends and even went out for a double date pizza dinner! We’ve had great conversations since then and they are always a huge help. Feel free to check out my friends Seth & Alexis of Cistern and Grove.

7. Listen to podcasts.

• Here’s a list of the Top 16 Best Personal Finance Podcasts to listen to in 2019, according to Yahoo! Finance. No surprise, The Dave Ramsey Show is on the list. I learn so much listening to Dave! But I also personally enjoy these other podcasts that deal with entrepreneurs and blogging (and throw in financial advice ocassionally):
  • Business Boutique with Christy Wright
  • Nicole Walters
  • This episode by Chrystal Evans Hurst on personal finance. 

Bonus tip! 

• Check out Crown.org for FREE budgeting tools, mentoring, a devotional and even materials en Español! 

I hope these tips help you and me both to reduce money stress so we can truly fill our homes with love!

Laughing (and budgeting) thru life,

Coppelia