Friend, do you ever feel anxious every time you have to check your account balance or avoid talking about finances? If so, you might be experiencing money avoidance.
A person with money avoidance feels uncomfortable or tends to stay away from everything related to money. This can happen for various reasons, such as childhood experiences, financial trauma, and guilt when receiving or managing money.
Although it sounds trivial, money avoidance can have a big impact on your long-term financial condition. Without realizing it, this habit can keep you stuck in a stagnant or even worsening financial cycle.
Therefore, it is very important for you to recognize money avoidance, understand its characteristics, and know how to overcome it to keep your finances healthy and directed.
What is Money Avoidance
Money avoidance is a negative mindset towards money. Someone with money avoidance feels that money is a source of problems or something to be avoided. People who experience money avoidance are usually uncomfortable talking about money, reluctant to set a budget, and even afraid to look at their own debt.
In fact, such a negative attitude towards money will only make things worse. Money is not an enemy to be avoided, but a tool that can be used to achieve life goals.
Unfortunately, money avoidance often arises because of past misconceptions, such as thinking that anything about money is something to be avoided.
Characteristics of Money Avoidance
1. Avoiding Financial Topics
If you feel uncomfortable when discussing money with your family, friends or partner, you could be experiencing money avoidance. Even when you are in financial trouble, you are still reluctant to seek help or discuss.
2. Won’t Check Accounts or Financial Records
Many people who experience money avoidance are afraid to open bank applications or look at their balances. Feelings of anxiety and panic will arise just because of seeing numbers, even though the condition is not necessarily that bad.
3. Delaying or Avoiding Budgeting
People with money avoidance tend not to make financial plans. They feel that making a budget will only add pressure and prefer to ignore it.
How to Overcome Money Avoidance
1. Understand the Causes
The first step you can do is to understand the causes of money avoidance behavior. Many things cause money avoidance, ranging from lack of confidence in managing finances to past experiences that make you afraid and avoid dealing with money.
Now, when you already know what causes it, you can focus more on the right solution to overcome the problem.
2. Change Your View of Money
Start by realizing that money is not the source of problems. Money is a neutral tool and can help you achieve your dreams. Change your mindset from “money is bad” to “money can help me live better”.
A healthy view of money can build positive financial habits. By thinking of money as a tool, you will be more motivated to manage it.
3. Start from Small Consistent Habits
There is no need to make a big complex financial plan right away. You can start from small things like recording daily expenses. Or regularly open mobile banking and set weekly savings targets.
These simple habits will build better control over your money. Over time, you will feel more confident in making financial decisions. Most importantly, these small steps are easier to do and maintain.
4. Make Financial Learning Fun
Learning about finance doesn’t have to be hard and confusing. You can follow relatable financial education accounts on social media. Or listen to light-hearted podcasts that discuss everyday financial topics.
With a suitable and fun way of learning, you won’t feel overwhelmed. The more information you understand, the less likely you are to avoid money. Knowledge also makes you better prepared to face financial challenges.
5. Use Money for Meaningful Purposes
Realize that money is not just for consumption, but can also have a positive impact. For example, set aside your income to help your parents or share with others. Or you can allocate some of your income to prepare for the future by investing.
By using money wisely, you will feel that money serves a good purpose. This will reduce any anxiety or guilt in managing your finances. And you’ll start to enjoy the process of managing your finances with more peace of mind.
Overcoming Money Avoidance By Investing in Digital Gold Starting From Rp5,000
Money avoidance can feel like a big barrier, but you are not alone. By understanding this pattern and taking small steps consistently, you can slowly change your relationship with money to a healthier and more positive one. Don’t let feelings of fear or unworthiness control your financial decisions.
One of the first steps you can take is to start investing in digital gold at Treasury. With capital starting from just Rp5,000, you can have gold ownership that is safe, practical, and supervised by official institutions such as BAPPEBTI and ICDX. So, let’s take control of your money and build a better financial future with Treasury!