Is Money Stressing You Out?

One of the many facets of a fulfilled and less stressed life is financial health. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and say that most (if not all) of us probably feel stressed lately around money—inflation, groceries, school costs, mortgages, and don't even get me started on the price of GASOLINE!

I call this the "Money Ick"—that heavy, predator-in-the-bushes feeling that hits when we think about finances. When we’re burnt out, our brains treat financial stress like a literal threat. We either go into "Fight" (obsessively checking the bank app), "Flight" (ignoring the statements like they’re haunted), or "Freeze" (doing nothing while the subscriptions multiply).

The "North Star" Framework 🌟

In the world of integrative health, we talk a lot about alignment. Burnout often happens when your daily actions grind against your core values. To help you recalibrate your mind around finances, I want to share a tool I use to get a high-level view of where my spending is going.

It’s called the 50/30/20 Rule. It was created by the badass Elizabeth Warren (now a U.S. Senator and then a Harvard law professor) and her daughter, Amelia Warren Tyagi. It’s designed to align your bank account with your life, without needing a degree in finance or a 47-tab spreadsheet.

How to Slice the Pie 🥧

Go to your bank account and audit a recent month’s view with the below. Imagine your after-tax income is one big pie. We’re going to slice it into just three pieces:

• 50% for Needs: The "Must-Haves." Mortgage, utilities, groceries, insurance, and minimum debt payments. If you stopped paying these, your life would fundamentally change.

• 30% for Wants: The "Life-Happens" category. Dining out, Netflix, that triple-shot latte, or the hobby that keeps you sane.

• 20% for Financial Goals: Your "Future-You" fund. Savings, investments, extra debt payments, or an emergency fund.

The 50/30/20 rule is scaffolding, not a prison. It gives you a high-level view so you can stop micromanaging the small stuff (the "$3 questions" like coffee) and focus on the big picture.

Last time I did this audit, I found my “Wants” bucket was only 16% of my spending! I immediately went shopping, only to balance things out a bit, of course. 🤭 (Look away, Harley). Tee-hee. 

Your Micro-Habit Action Plan 📝

• The 5-Minute Audit: Look at last month’s spending. Don’t judge; just ask: "Is my 'Needs' bucket taking up way more than half the pie?" That’s your check-engine light.

• The Subscription Snip: We all have that $9.99/month app we don't use. Pick one and kill it today. It’s a small win for your boundaries.

• The Joy Fund: If you can't hit 20% for savings yet, start with 1%. Automate a tiny transfer to a separate "Joy Fund" for something that is purely for you—like a coffee you actually get to drink while it's hot. (💡Pro-Tip: For any savings, invest in a HYSA so your money can make money for you in your sleep.) 

Financial wellbeing isn't about being "perfect" with money; it's about feeling regulated and informed enough to make choices. Take a deep breath, close those 47 open tabs in your brain, and start small.

With Love & Wild Possibility,

Ashley