Now Reading
Five Things to Do If You’re Losing Sleep Thinking About Money

Five Things to Do If You’re Losing Sleep Thinking About Money

It’s 2 a.m. and you’re staring at the ceiling, calculating whether skipping coffee runs for a month will magically cover rent. (Spoiler: It won’t.) Maybe you checked your bank account before bed—a rookie mistake—only to be hit with the cold, hard reality that your paycheck is already spoken for. Bills, student loans, that one impulse Amazon buy that felt necessary at the time—it all adds up.

Money stress is a rite of passage for twentysomethings, but just because it’s common doesn’t mean you have to let it wreck your peace (or your sleep schedule). Yes, Jesus told us not to worry about tomorrow, but He didn’t say, “Don’t budget and just hope for the best.” So if financial stress is keeping you up at night, here are five things you can do—right now—to get back in control.

1. Take Inventory (Without the Panic Spiral)

Step one: Face the numbers. It’s tempting to live in blissful ignorance, but financial anxiety thrives in the unknown. Pull up your bank account, your credit card statements and anything else that tells you where your money is actually going.

Now, instead of spiraling into despair over past choices (yes, those concert tickets were worth it), focus on clarity. What’s coming in? What’s going out? Where is your money slipping through the cracks? Awareness is the first step to making changes that actually help.

If you need a framework, use the 50/30/20 rule—but make room for tithing first. Giving isn’t about checking a box; it’s an act of trust, even when money is tight. Whether you tithe a full 10% or start smaller, the point is prioritizing generosity as part of your financial plan.

So, after setting aside your tithe, break your budget down like this:

  • 50% on needs (rent, bills, food that isn’t just Hot Cheetos).
  • 30% on wants (yes, you get some fun money).
  • 20% on savings or debt payments (because future you deserves better).

God’s provision isn’t a magic trick, but stewardship and generosity go hand in hand. Prioritizing giving can actually bring more peace to your financial life than hoarding every penny ever will.

2. Make a “Bare Bones” Budget

If you’re in full panic mode, this is where you regain a sense of control. A “bare bones” budget is what you’d need to survive if things got tight—your rent, utilities, groceries, minimum debt payments. Everything else? It’s negotiable.

This doesn’t mean you have to live on ramen and cancel all social plans indefinitely, but it does mean knowing your baseline expenses. If your income doesn’t comfortably cover those, it’s time to adjust—either by cutting back or finding ways to increase your earnings (more on that in a second).

If budgeting makes you want to run for the hills, try apps like YNAB (You Need a Budget) or EveryDollar to take the guesswork out of it.

3. Find (Realistic) Ways to Boost Your Income

If your current paycheck barely covers your expenses, it’s time to look at how to bring in more cash—without burning yourself out in the process.

A few options:

  • Freelance something you’re good at (writing, graphic design, tutoring—there’s a market for almost anything).
  • Take on a flexible side gig (dog-walking, babysitting, flipping thrift finds).
  • Ask for a raise (seriously, if you’ve been adding value at work, it’s worth the conversation).

A little extra income can make a huge difference in lowering stress. And if you’re stuck in the “I don’t have time” loop, remember: If you have time to scroll TikTok for an hour, you have time to send a freelance pitch or apply for a side job.

4. Rethink How You Approach Spending

A lot of financial stress doesn’t just come from not having enough—it comes from spending without a plan. One of the best mindset shifts? Assign every dollar a purpose before you spend it.

That means:

  • Make a game out of saving (cook at home, swap expensive outings for free ones, do a “no-spend challenge” for a week).
  • Use the 24-hour rule for non-essential purchases (if you still want it tomorrow, it’s worth considering).
  • Unsubscribe from tempting marketing emails (they know exactly how to make you spend).

None of this means you can’t have fun—you absolutely should. But intentional spending means you don’t have to feel guilty about the things you do splurge on because you’re making those choices on purpose.

5. Take a Deep Breath and Trust the Process

At the end of the day, financial stability isn’t an overnight fix—it’s a process. It’s about making small, consistent choices that add up over time. If you’re in a tough season, give yourself grace. Stressing about money doesn’t make more of it appear.

Here’s the good news: You’re not alone. Your worth isn’t tied to your bank account balance and there are always ways to make changes that move you toward financial peace.

So, take a breath, make a plan and maybe—just maybe—get some sleep tonight. You’ll figure this out.

© 2023 RELEVANT Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Scroll To Top

You’re reading our ad-supported experience

For our premium ad-free experience, including exclusive podcasts, issues and more, subscribe to

Plans start as low as $2.50/mo