Financial self-care for a healthier mind

September is National Self-Care Awareness Month—a time to check in with your emotional, physical, and yes, financial well-being.

While self-care often brings to mind bubble baths, therapy sessions, or long walks outside (all great things!), one powerful act of self-care is often overlooked: taking care of your money. Your financial health directly affects your mental health. In fact, money stress is one of the leading causes of anxiety, burnout, and relationship tension in the U.S.

This month, let’s look at how financial self-care can help you feel more grounded, less anxious, and more in control.

Start with a plan: Your financial peace of mind

Creating a spending plan (not a restrictive budget!) is one of the simplest ways to take care of yourself financially. It helps you understand where your money is going, reduce impulsive spending, and free up dollars to put toward things that truly matter to you.

This isn’t about guilt – it’s about clarity. Knowing your numbers reduces uncertainty, which can reduce anxiety.

Need help getting started? FinFit’s Budget Tools can help you create a plan that supports both your lifestyle and your long-term goals.

Build an emergency fund: Your just-in-case

One of the best ways to practice financial self-care is by building an emergency fund. Unexpected expenses happen—car repairs, medical bills, or a last-minute flight to see family.

Aim to save at least three to six months of essential expenses, but don’t be discouraged if that feels out of reach. Start small and save at a comfortable pace: even $500 can prevent a financial crisis from becoming an emotional one.

Use FinFit’s Savings Goals Tool to set your first milestone and watch your confidence grow with each deposit.

Master your debt: Your stress reliever

Debt can be an invisible weight on your mental load. If you’re juggling multiple payments or high-interest credit cards, it’s time to take control. Here’s how:

List all your debts, interest rates, and minimum payments.
Prioritize the highest-interest debt first while making minimum payments on the rest.
Automate payments to reduce stress, avoid late fees, and simplify your routine.

If you’re considering consolidating your debt to reduce your monthly burden, FinFit may be able to help with flexible borrowing options¹. No credit score impact to check your eligibility.

Empower yourself with financial education

Financial self-care also means knowing your stuff. The more you understand how money works, the less scary it feels—and the more confident you’ll become in managing it.

Start small:

Listen to a personal finance podcast during your commute.
Browse FinFit’s Learn library for short, easy-to-digest guides.
Bookmark your favorite resources to revisit when you need a refresher.

Set financial goals: Your personal roadmap

Self-care isn’t just about comfort—it’s about growth. Setting financial goals helps give you something to look forward to, whether it’s paying off a credit card, saving for a vacation, or finally creating that retirement plan.

Start with realistic, specific goals, then break them into smaller, manageable steps. Celebrate each win along the way—every bit of progress is proof that you’re showing up for yourself.

Mind & money: A balanced approach to self-care

Financial self-care doesn’t require big money or dramatic change. It’s about being proactive, creating space to reflect, and making choices that protect your peace.

So this September, light the candle, go for the walk—but also open the banking app. Start the emergency fund. Make that payment. Set that goal.

Because when you take care of your money, you’re taking care of your mind – and that’s the ultimate form of self-care.

¹ Loans are made by Celtic Bank. Loans subject to credit approval. Loan products, availability, features, and service providers vary by state. Service providers are FinFit Ops, LLC (see licenses) or its affiliate, Salary Finance, Inc. (see licenses). See application terms and loan agreements for more details.