Article Why do I feel anxious checking my money – and can I make it easier?

You know that feeling when you open your banking app, then quickly close it again to avoid looking at your balance? Or when you buy something thinking you’ll have enough in your account – without checking first?

But often, it's not really about the numbers. For many of us, looking at our money doesn’t feel empowering – it feels uncomfortable, or even a bit scary.

When we worked with Go Fund Yourself to analyse 333 anonymous Instagram responses to a question exploring people’s emotional relationship with money – almost one-fifth (18.7%) responded that fear and anxiety were their most commonly felt negative money emotion.¹

Why might we feel anxiety about checking our bank accounts?

There are lots of reasons we might avoid checking our balance. We might worry we’ve spent more than we realised, or dread seeing how much bills and direct debits have taken. It can also come from comparison – feeling like we should have more saved, or that we’re not where we 'should' be financially, especially compared to others.  If comparison is something you think about often, you can read our article on ‘why comparing yourself isn’t always bad’.

One of the most important things to remember is that you’re not alone – and it can help to look at it a little differently. Checking your balance doesn’t have to be about catching mistakes or judging yourself. It can simply be a way to get a clearer picture of your finances. And sometimes, that clarity can help ease the anxiety.

6 tips that might help reduce 'bank account dread'

1. Check your balance more often

It might feel like the hardest thing to do, but checking more regularly can actually help. Having a rough idea of what you’ve spent, what you have left, and where your money is going can give you a greater sense of control – and help avoid any unexpected surprises.

2. Create a regular ‘money moment’

Setting aside a usual time every week, or month – whatever feels comfortable – could help the act of checking your account feel more routine and less daunting.

3. Start small

It might be easier to not start off by diving head-first into all of your separate accounts. Instead, pick one that feels the most approachable and start there. You might find that the process wasn’t too bad in the end, and feel ready to go a bit further – or, that might be enough for you. There’s no wrong way to do it and you should listen to what feels right.

4. Track your budget

It can also help to start tracking your budget. Knowing what’s coming in and out – and when – can give you a clearer sense of your spending space. That way, when unexpected costs come up, or you want to treat yourself, it feels more manageable, and less like something to worry about.

5. Be kind to yourself

Rather than going in with the mindset of judgement or guilt at what you might’ve spent – treat it as an act of curiosity. You’re not going in to pick apart what you’ve done, just trying to get a clearer picture of your finances. It can be easy to be hard on yourself when it comes to money, but being critical might not be making it easier.

6. Talk it through with a friend

Sometimes, one of the kindest things we can do for ourselves, is talking our worries through with a friend or loved one. You might even find that they themselves are in the same boat, or they may be able to offer you some advice. 

If you’re unsure where to start with these conversations, we’ve worked with Go Fund Yourself to put together a ‘conversation starters guide’, to make taking the first step to these, sometimes tricky, money chats a bit easier.

Final thoughts: making checking your money feel less stressful

When it comes to checking your bank balance, it’s normal for it to feel difficult at times. But small, gentle changes can help make it feel a little easier. You don’t need to have everything figured out at once – even a quick check-in now and then, when you feel ready, can help things feel more manageable.

If you’d like more ideas and real conversations about money, you can explore the Money:Mindshift podcast, where we talk about everything from everyday habits, preparing your financial future, to the emotional side of finances.