Stress Awareness Month: Reducing Financial Stress with Practical Steps, Free Resources
By Ben Joergens, Old National Bank Financial Empowerment Program Director
April is Stress Awareness Month, and for many people, financial stress is one of the most persistent forms of pressure they carry. It can show up as sleepless nights, tension at home, or a sense of dread when bills hit the inbox — even when you’re doing your best to stay on top of things.
Money stress is rarely just about dollars and cents — it’s about uncertainty. When people have a clear plan and someone they trust to talk things through with, the stress often starts to feel more manageable.
At Old National Bank, we believe reducing financial stress starts with practical education and approachable guidance. Whether you’re navigating day-to-day cash flow, working to pay down debt, or planning for a major life change, a few foundational skills — and a supportive conversation — can make a real difference.
What financial stress can look like
Financial stress doesn’t always come from one big event. More often, it’s the weight of many small uncertainties — variable income, rising costs, unexpected expenses, or not knowing where to start. Common signs include avoiding bank statements, feeling behind even after payday, relying on credit to cover basics, or putting off decisions because they feel overwhelming.
One of the most helpful things someone can do is name what’s causing the stress. When you can see it clearly — income, spending, debt, or just a lack of structure — you can start to take control of it, step by step.
Four practical moves to reduce financial stress
If financial stress is high, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress. These four moves can help create momentum:
- Get a clear snapshot: list your monthly take-home income and your essential bills first.
- Choose one priority: start with either building a small emergency cushion or paying down a high-interest balance — whichever will relieve the most pressure.
- Automate one good habit: even a modest automatic transfer to savings can reduce the “willpower tax.”
- Create a 15-minute weekly check-in: a simple routine helps prevent surprises and keeps decisions from piling up.
And you don’t have to do it alone. Sometimes the most valuable next step is getting the right information and talking through options with a banker who can help you organize what’s in front of you.
Workshops that help people feel more prepared
Stress Awareness Month is also a good time to remember that education can reduce uncertainty. Old National Bank can host workshops throughout our entire footprint, led by hundreds of licensed instructors. These sessions are designed to be approachable, practical, and tailored to the audience — workplaces, schools, nonprofits, and community groups.
When a group learns the same fundamentals together — how to budget, how credit works, how to spot fraud — it can take the mystery out of money. And when the mystery goes down, stress tends to follow.
Here are some examples, just to name a few of some of the topics we can cover:
- Budgeting and cash-flow basics (a plan you can maintain)
- Building an emergency fund — starting small and staying consistent
- Understanding credit and debt repayment strategies
- Fraud prevention and identity protection
- Preparing for homeownership and other major milestones
- Financial basics for young adults and first-time bankers
How to bring a workshop to your organization or community
If you’re an employer, school, nonprofit, or community group looking for a practical way to support well-being, a financial education workshop can be a strong addition to your Stress Awareness Month programming.
The best place to start is by connecting with your local Old National banker or branch team and sharing a few details — your audience, preferred timing, location (or virtual), and the topics that would be most helpful. From there, we’ll work to match you with an instructor and design a session that fits.
A simple message for April — and beyond
Stress Awareness Month is a reminder to check in — with ourselves, with our families, and with the areas of life that feel heavy. If money is one of those areas, the next step doesn’t have to be big. Start with clarity, ask questions, and build one or two habits that make things feel more stable over time.
My hope is that people hear this and feel permission to start small. A plan doesn’t erase every challenge, but it can replace anxiety with direction — and that matters.
For more on Real-Life Finance workshops and free resources, click here.
Note: Workshops and materials are provided for educational purposes and are not intended as specific financial, legal, or tax advice. Products and services are subject to eligibility and availability.
