The Psychology Behind Money Avoidance
Discover why you put off financial tasks and learn simple ways to face your money without overwhelming yourself.
Let's cut to the chase. You know precisely what financial tasks you're avoiding right now. That bank balance you haven't checked in weeks. The bill that's sitting on your kitchen counter. The investment statement you tossed in a drawer.
You're not lazy. You're not irresponsible. You're scared.
According to research, 19% of people opt to ignore the source of their financial anxiety and hope the stressor will resolve itself. (Source: The Fool, "Financial Stress, Anxiety, and Mental Health Survey," https://www.fool.com/money/research/financial-stress-anxiety-and-mental-health-survey/) This is an entirely logical response to something that feels threatening.
Here's what's actually happening: your brain treats financial stress like physical danger. When you think about checking that account balance, your nervous system might flood with fight-or-flight chemicals. Avoidance becomes a survival strategy.
Why Your Brain Chooses Avoidance
Fear of bad news tops the list. Sometimes not knowing feels safer than confirming your worst fears. At least while you don't know, you can still hope things aren't as bad as you suspect.
Overwhelm shuts down action. When your brain can't figure out where to start, it chooses not to start at all. Better to avoid the whole mess than risk doing it wrong.
Shame makes you want to hide. If you're behind on payments or have made financial mistakes, facing the evidence feels like confronting your failures.
Past trauma creates lasting reactions. Previous financial crises can make money seem inherently risky, triggering avoidance as a form of self-protection.
Perfectionism paralyzes progress. If you can't do it perfectly, your brain prefers doing nothing. This all-or-nothing thinking keeps you completely stuck.
Lack of knowledge breeds fear. If no one taught you how money works, financial tasks feel scary because you don't understand them.
Here's the Problem with Avoidance
It backfires. Spectacularly.
Unopened bills become late fees. Unchecked accounts hide overspending. Avoided investments mean missed opportunities. The very problems you're trying to avoid get worse through neglect.
Meanwhile, the anxiety doesn't go away—it builds. That unopened statement isn't just sitting in your drawer; it's living rent-free in your head, growing scarier with each passing day.
How to Break the Avoidance Cycle
Stop trying to tackle everything at once. Pick one small financial task. One account to check. One bill to pay. One statement to open. Build confidence with tiny wins.
Take a moment to pray before financial tasks. Ask God to give you wisdom, peace, and strength to handle whatever you find. Center yourself in His provision and care before diving into money matters. This can transform anxiety into trust.
Use the two-minute rule. Commit to spending exactly two minutes on a financial task. Set a timer. Starting is the hardest part, and you might find yourself continuing once you begin.
Create emotional safety nets. Plan something soothing to do after you've handled your financial tasks. A cup of tea, a phone call to a friend, your favorite show. Make facing your finances feel less isolating.
Pair money tasks with pleasant activities. Play music while paying bills. Treat yourself to a good cup of coffee while reviewing accounts. Train your brain to associate financial tasks with positive experiences.
Stop the self-criticism. Speak to yourself as you would to a good friend in the same situation. Harsh self-judgment only increases avoidance.
Get support. Ask someone you trust to sit with you while you tackle financial tasks. Sometimes just having another person present makes difficult things feel more manageable.
The Reality Check You Need
Whatever you're avoiding is not as catastrophic as your imagination is making it out to be. Our brains are designed to catastrophize threats, but financial reality is usually more manageable than financial anxiety suggests.
Avoidance might temporarily protect your feelings, but it won't protect your finances. The longer you wait, the fewer options you have.
Start Today
Pick one financial task you've been avoiding. Pray, then set a timer for two minutes. Just two minutes.
You might surprise yourself with what you can handle.
This content is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or therapeutic advice. Consider speaking with qualified professionals for personalized guidance.