In the News: Americans Are Growing More Worried About Money—Here’s How To Calm Financial Stress
I recently joined KTVU Channel 2 in Oakland, California, to share quick, research-informed ways to lower money anxiety during shutdown headlines and rising prices. Here’s the segment and financial stress guide, plus scripts and templates you can use today.
Click on the logo to watch the segments (about 4 minutes).
Why these headlines hit hard
When price pressure meets paycheck uncertainty, our nervous systems flip to “protect mode.” That fight-or-flight surge narrows our thinking—exactly when we need clarity for bills and planning. You’re not broken; you’re human.
Signs & symptoms of financial stress
Body: tight chest, shallow breathing, headaches, tense jaw, poor sleep
Mind: rumination, doom-scrolling, all-or-nothing thinking (“we’re doomed”)
Behavior: avoiding bills, impulsive spending for quick relief, irritability with loved ones
The goal is not to eliminate worry, but to unhook from it long enough to take a small, effective action.
Calm-your-body moves
Name → Notice → Choose (N-N-C)
Name the feeling: “I’m feeling money fear.”
Notice one body signal; one slow breath with a hand on your chest.
Choose one values-aligned micro-action today (e.g., “Text partner: 10-minute money check-in at 7 pm.”)
Money Triage
Draw three columns and sort today’s bills fast:
Must Pay (roof/lights/food) • Should Pay (avoid fees/credit hits) • Can Wait (pause or call to adjust).
5-Minute Money Date
Set a timer: (1) check balances, (2) pick one next step, (3) schedule tomorrow’s 10-minute check-in. Momentum > perfection.
If a paycheck is delayed
Prioritize essentials: housing, utilities, food, transportation.
Proactively contact creditors/service providers for hardship options.
Document the disruption (emails, pay stubs, notices) for assistance requests.
Pair one calmer + one money step each day.
Key takeaways
Shutdown headlines + higher everyday costs = predictable spike in money anxiety.
Stress shows up in body, mind, behavior—normalize it, then act.
If income is disrupted, prioritize essentials and ask for options—help exists when you request it.
Tiny steps repeated beat big plans abandoned.
Need support aligning your money with your values?
If you’re in California, I offer individual, couples, and intensive sessions to reduce money stress and build financial flexibility through evidence-based tools. Book a consult or explore resources like Money Dates and Values-Based Budgeting.
About the Author
Mariah, LCSW, MBA, CFT™, is a licensed therapist and certified financial therapist who helps Californians reduce money stress and build financial flexibility. She pairs ACT-informed strategies, trauma-aware tools, and practical cash-flow systems so clients can take clear next steps—no shame, just progress. A Bay Area regular, Mariah draws inspiration from classic Oakland spots—Lake Merritt, the Fox and Paramount Theatres, Jack London Square, and the Oakland Museum of California—and she’s never far from a BART line or a Redwood Regional Park trail. As seen on KTVU FOX 2.
