Living Stress Free As A Financial Goal

Since losing my job I’ve come to a lot of really big decisions. My main decision has been sorting out what kind of work I want to do as I continue building my career and making decisions in that area. It’s also involved thinking a lot about money and what it means to me and my life.

What do I want my life to look like? What is my ultimate goal for career and my money?

My Money Goal

The other money goal? Live simply, lower stress.

One of the main stresses in my life has always been money. I’ve been stressed about money since high school over a decade ago. I was stressed trying to pay for college. I was stressed trying to help my mom save her house. I was stressed trying to cover my expenses on my own after college. I was stressed trying to pay back my student loans.

I was stressed trying to buy a house.

Yep, before I lost my job I was buying a house. In fact, I was TWO WEEKS from closing on that house when I found out I was being laid off. I quickly tried to scramble and save the deal because I was so very excited about buying a house. However, yesterday I decided to let the deal fall apart and walked away.

I walked away from buying a house because I decided my main money goal is stress free living.

Paying a mortgage and dealing with things that break would be very stressful. Even though I could have made the small(ish) mortgage payment through a part time job and online income, I was terrified that something would go wrong as soon as I moved in. The stress was already starting to mount before I had even moved in.

While it was a heart-breaking, I had to walk away from the house to walk away from the stress.

Though I cried at first I quickly realized how RELIEVED I felt without the burden of a house on my shoulders. Suddenly I knew I had made the right decision because of how much less stress I felt.

Instead of the direction I was previously heading I now have the ability to go in the complete opposite direction. The new direction is much less stressful. After living with anxiety for many years, I am all for doing anything that makes life less stressful.

A New, Less Stressful Life

To make my new direction less stressful I’m cutting expenses in every area. Lowering my overall expenses per month gives me less stress overall.

I’m moving in with a roommate to save money on rent. I’ve cut out cable and internet costs opting for Netflix and library use instead. I’m saving money on food by eating at home more. I’m saving money on shopping by not spending time with friends who constantly buy more stuff.

With my expenses reduced dramatically I feel much less stress on how I’ll cover my living expenses over the next few months of life transition.

My last paycheck from the old job and the down payment from the house are now making up my emergency fund of 4-5 months that is mainly there for my peace of mind. I now can focus on earning enough online to pay my basic life expenses (wanna help? hire me!).

All in all, even without a steady income right now I feel much more optimistic and less stressed than I have in a very long time. Money over anxiety is truly not worth the stress.

Being debt free and able to reduce my expenses feels great – I’m so glad I learned to use credit cards responsibly and paid off my student loans when I did. Now I can focus on the things that matter and build a new life that is less stressful and more in line with my long term goals.

My money goal is to live with less stress because money problems can cause huge problems and stress.