We’re nearing a financial burnout crisis. And it’s only getting worse

May 31, 2026 — 5:01am

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Between interest rates, inflation, the Budget, ongoing global instability and volatile share markets, it feels like every time you try to so much as blink or draw breath right now, something new – and potentially stress-inducing – is happening in the economy.

And all of that’s before you even get to everyday real-world issues like how worried you need to be about the fuel excise wrapping up in a month’s time, grocery and utility prices remaining high, health and home insurance premiums rising and school fees getting more expensive each year.

We are expected to be on top of our bills, know if we’re with the best energy provider and where to get the cheapest petrol from, put away enough money for that next holiday, manage our share portfolios and ensure they’re diversified enough, have regular check ins with our partners about how goals are tracking, and get across recently announced changes to things like capital gains tax, negative gearing and the NDIS – all while trying to balance every other aspect of our lives.

For some people, this inundation of information might be water off a duck’s back. But even for me, as someone who works in the finance industry, there are days when the sheer volume of information, competing factors and considerations feels completely and utterly overwhelming.

If you know the feeling I’m referring to, you might be suffering from something called financial burnout.

Burnout is something that’s gained a lot of traction recently, especially during and after COVID-19, and generally, it refers to experiences tied to our work or workplaces. Though it’s not a recognised disease and there is no formalised diagnosis, burnout refers to a syndrome that........

© The Sydney Morning Herald