“Stressing About Money? – It’s Financial Anxiety”
The first time I noticed it was in the lunch line.
I stood there pretending to scroll through my phone while everyone else was paying. I was trying to time it just right so I wouldn’t have to admit I forgot my money.
Again.
The truth? I didn’t forget. I just didn’t have it.
At home, things were tight. We had talked about it in passing. My mom said something like, “We’re cutting back this month.” My dad stopped turning on the AC. We canceled our internet for a while and used the library’s Wi-Fi.
No one said we were broke. But I felt it. In my gut. In the quiet tension at dinner. In the way I stopped asking to go out with friends because I didn’t want to hear “no.”
What I didn’t realize then was that I was dealing with something called financial anxiety—and it’s more common than I thought, even among teens.
What is financial anxiety?
It’s the stress you feel when money is uncertain or tight. And it doesn’t just show up in bank accounts—it shows up in our bodies, our moods, and our confidence.
You might:
- Feel guilty about spending money, even on small things
- Avoid conversations about money because they make you anxious
- Worry about your family’s bills, even if no one says it out loud
- Compare yourself to others and feel ashamed of what you don’t have
- Start overworking or overachieving just to feel secure
For me, it wasn’t about being greedy. I wasn’t dreaming of expensive clothes or vacations. I just wanted to not feel nervous every time the word “money” came up.
Here’s what helped
- Saying it out loud
I opened up to a friend and simply said, “We’re going through a weird time financially.” I expected judgment, but instead I got, “Same here.” That moment helped me feel less alone. Money stress loves silence. Breaking it helps. - Separating my worth from my wallet
It took me a while to understand this, but money does not define your value. Being stressed about money doesn’t make you weak. It makes you human. - Finding control in small ways
I started bringing lunch from home and tracking how much I saved each week. It sounds simple, but doing one thing that gave me control helped calm the spiral. - Setting boundaries
I learned it’s okay to say, “I can’t make it this time” without explaining every detail. Real friends won’t judge you for having limits. - Asking for help
Our school counselor helped me apply for free tutoring and a program that covered field trip fees. I didn’t even know those existed. Sometimes help is out there, but you have to be brave enough to ask.
If you’re feeling this too
You’re not overreacting. You’re not being dramatic.
Money stress is real, even if it’s not talked about a lot. And just because you’re a teen doesn’t mean you don’t feel the pressure.
You might not be able to fix everything right now. But you can take care of yourself in the middle of it.
Start by naming it.
Then give yourself grace.
And remember that your future is not defined by what’s in your wallet right now.
You are allowed to dream big even if things feel small today.
Are you addicted? Are you under stress? Need to talk to someone? Text “HELLO” to 741741 or visit Crisis Text Line. Trained crisis counselors are available 24/7 to help you with your stress.
