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Osnaživanje, stil i inspiracija spajaju se u svakom izdanju našeg magazina.
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June 29, 2026
If you have ever woken up in the middle of the night worrying about how you will pay your bills, what would happen if you lost your job, or whether you will have enough money in retirement, you are not alone. Worrying about money has become an almost universal female experience.
An increasing number of women live with a constant sense of financial insecurity: fear of losing everything, being unable to support their families, becoming financially dependent, or not having enough money to live with dignity in old age. These fears do not affect only women facing financial hardship. On the contrary, financial anxiety is also common among women with stable incomes, successful careers, and substantial savings.
The reasons are not difficult to identify. Women continue to earn less than men, are more likely to interrupt their careers to care for children and family members, receive lower pensions, and face a greater risk of poverty in old age. Worrying about money is perfectly normal—until it develops into what psychologists call financial anxiety.
Everyone worries about money from time to time. Financial anxiety, however, is not the same as ordinary concern about bills or unexpected expenses. It is a persistent feeling of insecurity, a fear that there will never be enough money, and a constant expectation of financial catastrophe, even when there are no objective reasons for such fears.
Financial anxiety may be present if worries about money keep you awake at night, prevent you from spending money even when you can afford to do so, lead you to obsessively check your bank balance, or cause you to postpone major life decisions because you fear that one day you could lose everything.
These fears are far from uncommon. Research conducted by Northwestern Mutual found that 63% of respondents lose sleep because of financial worries. When it comes to women, the numbers are even more concerning. In a survey conducted by Allianz among more than 2,000 women, nearly one in two respondents (49%) said they feared losing their money and ending up without a home. Notably, one-third of these women had annual incomes exceeding $200,000, suggesting that financial anxiety is not solely determined by the size of a bank account.
First and foremost, women’s financial anxiety is often not irrational. It is frequently rooted in real economic circumstances.
Across the world, women continue to earn less than men, are more likely to interrupt their careers to care for children, ageing parents, and other family members, have fewer opportunities for advancement, and receive lower pensions on average. Research shows that women lose approximately 14% of their potential working time over the course of their lives because of unpaid caregiving responsibilities.
At the same time, numerous studies indicate that women tend to have lower confidence when making financial decisions, even when they possess the same or greater level of financial knowledge as men.
There is also another important factor: women live longer. This means they must plan for a longer retirement period, often with lower incomes and higher healthcare expenses.
As a result, many women live with the feeling that their financial security is fragile and that a divorce, job loss, illness, or family crisis could jeopardise everything they have spent years building. This helps explain why financial anxiety also affects women with stable incomes, significant savings, and successful careers. Money, therefore, is only part of the issue.
Worrying about money is not inherently harmful. In fact, it can motivate us to plan, save, and manage our finances responsibly. Problems arise when concern evolves into a constant state of alertness and begins to interfere with daily life.
Experts recommend paying attention to several warning signs. The first is persistent and intense worry that does not subside even when you are not objectively facing a financial crisis. The second is avoidance: postponing opening bills, ignoring bank statements, avoiding financial planning, or refusing to discuss money altogether. The third is excessive control: constantly checking your account balance, obsessively monitoring spending, or being unable to spend money even on basic needs.
Financial anxiety also manifests physically. Insomnia, muscle tension, rapid heartbeat, irritability, concentration difficulties, and chronic fatigue are among the symptoms people commonly report.
Particularly concerning is the moment when fear of losing money begins to dictate major life decisions. For example, staying in a job that seriously harms your health because you are afraid you will not find another one, postponing medical appointments because of the cost, or giving up holidays, education, or other meaningful life experiences for years—even when you can realistically afford them.
One of the simplest ways to assess whether your financial worries have become problematic is to ask yourself a single question: Does worrying about money help me make better decisions, or does it prevent me from living the life I want? If fear is paralysing you, disrupting your sleep, damaging your relationships, or reducing your quality of life, it may be time to seek support.
Financial anxiety does not disappear overnight. It is impossible to completely switch off concerns about money, especially in a society where many people live from paycheck to paycheck. A certain level of caution is not only normal but necessary. However, when fear starts controlling your decisions, undermining your quality of life, and creating a constant sense that you are never financially secure enough, it is time to take action.
Anxiety thrives on uncertainty. The first step is therefore to gain a clear understanding of your finances.
How much do you earn each month? How much do you spend? Do you have debt? How much goes toward housing, food, children, bills, and other obligations?
Many women avoid dealing with personal finances because they fear what they might discover. Yet uncertainty is almost always more frightening than reality. Once you understand your financial situation, it becomes easier to make a plan and take rational action.
You do not need tens of thousands of euros to feel more secure. Even a relatively small financial cushion can significantly reduce stress.
The goal is not to save a large amount overnight, but to gradually build reserves for unexpected situations such as car repairs, job loss, illness, or unforeseen household expenses. Even modest but consistent contributions can make a substantial difference over time.
Saving should not depend on your motivation or mood each month. If possible, decide on an amount you will set aside as soon as your salary arrives.
For some women, this may be €50 per month; for others, it may be considerably less or more. The important thing is for saving to become a regular practice rather than something you do only when there is money left over. Extra money rarely appears on its own.
Research shows that women often underestimate their financial knowledge and are less likely to make investment decisions, even when they possess the same level of knowledge as men.
The better you understand how loans, savings, taxes, pensions, and investments work, the greater your sense of control over your life will be. You do not need to become a financial expert. Understanding the basics and feeling comfortable asking questions is enough.
If financial worries are disrupting your sleep, affecting your relationships, or preventing you from making important life decisions, talking to a professional may help.
A financial adviser can assist you in creating a realistic financial plan, while a psychologist or psychotherapist can help you understand the emotional patterns underlying your relationship with money.
Because financial security is not simply about having enough money in your bank account. It is also about knowing that, even when life becomes unpredictable, you have the knowledge, resources, and support needed to cope.
Photo: Pexels.com
