I have a lot of anxiety about financial security. I have a stable job and I save well, I’ve learned how to invest. I thought I’d feel secure by now, but I don’t. Furthermore, I still struggle to spend without guilt, worry about worst-case scenarios and keep hoping I’ll start feeling more secure at the next financial milestone – maybe when I buy a home, but then I’ll have a mortgage; or perhaps when I have a certain amount in investments, but then I know watching the portfolio drop during market downturns will cause me anxiety too. How do I stop feeling so financially anxious?

Financial security is a funny thing. In the finance world, we’re told it’s a number – it’s something you can see in your bank account or balance sheet. So, you work hard to hit that number.

If you feel like the wolf is always at your door, it might be time to try and re-frame your thinking.Credit: Simon Letch

You change your spending habits, learn to be frugal and restructure your cashflow to create a savings system. You breathe a sigh of relief as the bills get easier to pay, and you stop worrying about running out of money before your next pay cheque. For a while, that feels good.

But then you hear about investing. Suddenly, your savings don’t look so secure any more. Turns out, your savings are being eaten........

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