There are four different categories of financial stress we may come up against in life. Fortunately there are also four strategies for taming their power over us. Joline Godfrey—one of the world's leading authorities on financial education and author of Raising Financially Fit Kids—walks us through how to cope with financial stressors head on through personal action, collective collaboration, gaining knowledge, and implementing change strategies.

There is an accident, a family member suddenly gets ill, divorce, or a freak hail storm wreaks havoc on your property. What to do? These are situations that won’t go on forever, but are nonetheless disruptive to our lives. Joline walks us through the real symptoms that come with situational financial stressors and shares tools to help get us through this period of time.

What if an emergency puts us in conflict with our financial values? Joline shares strategies to help us find solutions such as calling on our support systems.

How can couples tighten their belts together in a way that supports the relationship? It is never too late to proactively map out values, navigate differences and find alignment!

What constitutes an emergency, and when is it okay to dip into emergency funds?

When an emergency hits, is it time for a loan? Joline asks pertinent questions to help you navigate whether or not this is the right solution for you.

Self-inflicted stressors can be the most frustrating because we bring them upon ourselves. Joline shares examples of how to tame our self-inflicted financial stressors and shift into a more positive set of behaviors.

It is easy to live beyond means. The entire world is set up to encourage us to do that. Living within your means is less stressful, and Joline shares ways to support your state of consciousness to examine change and values to help shift your reality.

There are lots of new ways to come up with cash. Joline brainstorms ways to help you begin to put a little stash aside to start developing your safety net.

It is common to feel shame when we screw something up and don’t know how to fix it, all the more so when it involves finances. Joline encourages us to move into the light, develop new habits, re-identify values, and find purpose in getting your way out of this financially stressful situation.

Change is uncomfortable, but failing to change can put us in dire straights. Anticipate, keep learning and stay ahead of the curve to adapt to change in any situation.

Climate change, war, pandemics and the impact of technology are examples of existential financial stressors we face. Joline offers tell-tale symptoms indicating that we may be feeling the pinch of existential stressors and strategies to tackle them.

Big things happen in the world outside of our control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t remain financially stable. Joline shares four strategies to help navigate the way in times of uncertainty.

Let us not waste a great crisis. One of the ways we deal with the big changes in our lives and the world is to look at opportunities to tighten the belt and/or to make forward thinking shifts in investments and savings.

Thinking beyond ourselves and caring and contributing to the needs of others requires a great deal of consideration. Joline explores balancing privilege with responsibility through the lens of the F.I.S.H.™ Inventory, assessing our Financial, Intellectual, Social and Human capital.

A long term strategy is essential. Become more knowledgeable about long term investing, show up, pay attention, and invest for your future.

What if I can’t put enough away for the future? Joline explores changing priorities in order to make it possible to put something aside with the goal of creating a sustainable life.

Structural financial stressors often come from “isms” (i.e. ageism and racism that lower our opportunities), bad policies, and corrupt and immoral leadership. We often need strategies that support collective behavior to support change and mindfulness. Do not underestimate the power of financial education as well as the power of one.

Joline shares final take-aways; you can diagnose the financial stressors in your life, identify the strategies for dealing with each and have the power to make changes in your life to lower your financial stressors, increase your health, and make your family better.