Coping with financial anxiety during Covid-19

Talking about your finances is never going to be easy. Along with politics, sex and religion, the subject of money is often considered to be a deeply private matter – something never to be discussed in public or even among members of the same family. That is why so many of us remain silent, even when we’re suffering. The barriers preventing us from reaching out and asking for help when we’re experiencing financial hardship can sometimes feel simply too high to overcome. With accountants, this can be even more excruciating. The added stigma of being a financial professional whose own finances are in question only increases the sense of shame or failure. But in the midst of a global crisis, when so many of us are worried about our personal finances, our businesses and our futures, we can find strength in solidarity. Now, more than ever, we need to break down those walls and learn how to ask for help. Failure to do so could have severe and long-lasting consequences. Citizens Advice found that 74% of people who have financial difficulties have experienced mental health issues, leading to over half having had panic attacks. Increased stress levels also lead to a lack of sleep, which can impact physical health. At the same time, financial wellbeing can have a profound effect on personal relationships, isolating people from support systems when they might need them the most. So, how do we ease the burden and empower people to open up about money? Learning how to understand your feelings and articulate them Financial wellbeing is about control. Control over your day-to-day decisions and long-term goals. When we lose this sense of control, we find ourselves stifled, caged in, helpless. Anxious thoughts start to cross our mind, such as: Can I pay rent this month? Will I ever be able to buy my first home? Do I have enough money to support my family? Will I have enough money saved to enjoy retirement? Many of us might find ourselves worrying about these questions on a more regular basis now as the world enters a period of economic uncertainty. Anyone can have these feelings, regardless of income or profession. It’s dangerous to assume that just because someone is earning a high salary, they automatically acquire the status of being financially solvent. For example, Salary Finance’s UK Employers’ Guide to Financial Wellbeing survey found that those earning over £100,000 reported the same level of concern about their personal finances as those earning less than £10,000. This could be because of cash flow or debt challenges which inhibit them from saving, or personal circumstances. Likewise, being a chartered accountant does not make you immune from the difficulties the economy is facing. Any financial professional, no matter how successful they are, could face redundancy, or seeing their practice lose important clients. Accepting that these feelings are normal and that you are not alone is the first step towards better financial wellbeing. This will allow you to be kinder to yourself and create space for you to unravel your thoughts and anxieties. Once you have a better understanding of what you’re feeling, you should find it easier to open up and take the first steps towards better financial wellbeing. Take stock of your finances and create a budget Before you reach out for help, it’s useful to have an accurate picture of your financial situation. Knowing your income, expenditure and disposable income once your day-to-day expenses are covered, will give you confidence in your decisions and help you to create a budget. If your partner or spouse usually looks after the finances, be sure to talk the budget through with them, so that you both understand your financial situation. Tackling any outstanding debts you owe during this time might seem a daunting prospect but it’s okay to ask for help. There are constructive and positive steps you can take to work your way towards becoming debt free – and what’s more, there are plenty of online guides that will walk you through every step of the process. Know what help is available to you Your income may be affected while you’re in quarantine, self-isolating, or if your child’s school, your workplace or your business is temporarily closed. In many instances we can provide financial support to get you through the tough times to keep you and your family well. This includes: Mortgage and rent support – the UK Government has announced that all mortgage providers must give a three-month ‘holiday’ to those struggling to keep up with payments. For those renters, emergency legislation means that you are protected from being evicted. If you are struggling to pay rent, talk to your landlord to discuss how they might be able to help. Interest rate cuts – The Bank of England has cut interest rates from 0.75% to 0.1% as an emergency measure to help reduce the financial impact of COVID-19 on borrowers and businesses. The reduced rates will help anyone who is on a variable rate mortgage or looking to move to a new deal. Job security – The Government has said it will pay 80% of wages for employees wherever their employer cannot afford to keep them. Those who are self employed can claim a taxable grant worth 80% of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next 3 months. Support for small business – The chancellor has set out a support package for small business such which includes grants, a VAT holiday and a Business Interruption Loan Scheme. Additional support for ICAEW chartered accountants and their families Further support is available to ICAEW chartered accountants, ACA students, and their families through CABA. As part of its recently launched financial wellbeing campaign, CABA has made available an extensive range of free and confidential services including: Financial assistance – means tested financial assistance in the form of monthly shortfall grants, and donations for one-off expenses such as repairs, household items, travel, funeral costs, care costs including home adaptations, and much more. Debt management – specialist debt advisors can help members to minimise the impact of their debts through advice, information, budgeting and prioritising. CABA can also negotiate with creditors on your behalf. Benefits – CABA can explore what benefits are available to members, help them navigate the benefits system, and complete the applications with them. CABA also offers personal wellbeing services, such as counselling and relationship counselling sessions, to help you deal with the challenges that may come from financial stress. All of the tools and services are designed to help you successfully manage your day-to-day finances, plan for the future, and optimise your financial wellbeing. It features specialist advice for employers and employees on managing financial wellbeing in workplace, as well as a dedicated section for parents and carers. Look for the positives Remember, you don’t have to struggle alone. CABA, the wellbeing charity, offers a number of free self-help guides on its website that can help you to deal with financial anxiety. It’s dedicated financial wellbeing page features a tailored toolkit of free services and self-help resources relevant to you. Paul Day, Support Officer at CABA, the charity supporting the wellbeing of chartered accountants and their families