Anxious About Money? It Might Not Be Your Income, It Might Be the Psychology
Your bank account may not be low but your nervous system is just overloaded.
Sis,
Have you ever stared at your numbers and felt your chest tighten, your thoughts spiral, and your stomach drop… even when you know everything is technically okay?
You’re not alone.
In the last issue, I talked about how to stop the negative spiral when your income dips.
But today, I want to address something I talk about a lot. Still, they don’t talk about financial education or talk around financial independence: your money habits are not just financial, they’re psychological.
And how unpredictable income (aka real entrepreneur life) can trigger anxiety, avoidance, and hypervigilance, in addition to how to spot the emotional patterns keeping you stuck, even when the money is flowing.
The Perspective:
Money Is Emotional First, Mathematical Second
Entrepreneurship means unpredictable income, or at least the way our parents have taught us predictability, but unpredictability isn’t always the problem. It’s the emotional stories we attach to it.
Some of us become anxious.
Others avoid looking at our numbers altogether.
Some fall into what Dr. Brad Klontz calls money hypervigilance, where tracking every cent becomes a survival response.
It feels like control…
But it’s often anxiety in action. (That is how Paula Pant, The Netflix Get Smart With Money Participant, called it)
And if you're wondering why your mind still races even after a good month, this might be why.
Because when you’ve been raised around financial insecurity, or taught to sacrifice first and ask questions later, even abundance can feel unsafe.
It’s not about the money. It’s about what your nervous system thinks the money means.
The Practicality
Then, the question is, how can we spot and soothe money hypervigilance or anxiety? If your income is unpredictable and your stress is high, in the episode with Paula Pant we dove into it:
Rewiring Your Ways
Most of us weren’t taught to think of money as emotional. We were taught to fear it, stretch it, hustle for it… but not to understand it.
So this week, let’s start rewiring that.
1. Name Your Money Mindset
Which psychological pattern shows up for you most right now?
Anxiety: You’re always worried you don’t have enough, even when you do
Avoidance: You’re ghosting your numbers and hoping it works itself out.
Hypervigilance: You’re tracking every dollar to the point of mental exhaustion.
Name it. Don’t judge it. You can’t shift what you won’t name.
2. Run the “Low-Month Reality Check”
Paula and I talked about this and how it is THE hack to survive the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship. Look back at your income for the last 12 months. What was your lowest month?
Now ask: Could that month cover your current fixed expenses?
If yes, take a deep breath. You’re more stable than your nervous system believes.
If no, it’s time to adjust either your costs or create a low-income buffer. (You’ve got options.)
Shortcut to Build Wealth: Open Calls & Grants You Should Apply For
My favorite part of this newsletter… Here are some grants you can still apply for:
Dream Makers Founder Grant – $25K for CPG Brands
Who it’s for: WOC-led consumer packaged goods businesses (non-beauty)
Perks: $25K grant to scale your brand
Deadline: May 30, 2025
More Info Here »
Cartier Women’s Initiative – Up to $100K + Global Exposure
Who it’s for: Mission-driven women founders worldwide
Perks: $30K–$100K + mentorship + visibility
Deadline: June 24, 2025
More Info Here »
Pitch Me for My Forbes Column – Share Your Story
Who it’s for: Founders rewriting their family’s financial future or building wealth as the breadwinner
Perks: Potential feature in Forbes + platform visibility
Deadline: Rolling, but listen to the latest podcast for this week’s themes
Listen to the latest episode of the podcast so that you know exactly what I am working on.
Last Thoughts…
Business Insider thoughts.
So here’s something I don’t say often:
Even though I grew up in a financially literate household, sat next to my dad while he explained budgets and invoices, and even became a finance manager… I still ended up in credit card debt.
Business Insider recently featured this part of my story — how despite knowing all the tools and concepts, I still fell into emotional spending. Why? Because no one teaches you what to do when the desire to belong overpowers your financial logic.
I didn’t have a money problem. I had a money emotions problem.
That’s why I started this work. That’s why The Brown Way to Money exists — because financial literacy alone isn’t enough. We need to talk about shame, identity, belonging, and the way money makes us feel when no one's looking.
Sis, and of course, help me reach more people? 👇🏾
Until next time,
Alejandra Rojas
Founder, Brown Way To Money