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We recognize that the intersection of financial health and mental health is critical to your overall well-being. It’s important to understand that managing money can be stressful, and stress can impact your mental health. Conversely, mental health issues can make it difficult to manage your money effectively. Recognizing this intersection can help you take steps to improve both aspects of your well-being.
Fortunately, a growing number of apps address both aspects, providing users with the tools to improve their financial literacy while also supporting their mental health. These apps provide peace of mind and help reduce the stress and anxiety that can come with financial and mental health issues.
Financial wellness refers to the overall health and stability of one’s finances. It encompasses various aspects of personal finances such as budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, and retirement planning. To achieve financial wellness, you need to:
- Take control of your finances
- Ability to meet current financial obligations
- Work towards long-term financial goals
- Alignment with personal values
Financial wellness is intertwined with mental health in many ways. Stress and anxiety about money can affect mental health, while financial stability reduces stress and promotes peace of mind. Financial wellness can also improve relationships, boost self-confidence, and increase resilience.
A financial app with a mental wellness component
Here is a curated list of the best apps that integrate financial wellness and mental health support to help users achieve overall well-being.
One Eleven
One Eleven understands that “financial burden is the biggest obstacle to happiness and health in America,” and is “on a mission to help one million people maximize their happiness and live an 11 out of 10 life through financial wellness.” Through the company’s membership program, users can connect with a personal wealth coach to help them navigate their financial journey and develop healthy money habits.
Finasana
Finasana blends financial education with wellness, drawing inspiration from its founders’ finance and yoga backgrounds. One of the company’s core values is balance, stating that “our content focuses on balance and freedom, not numbers.” The website offers access to financial experts, courses, and live webinars to help users invest confidently and take control of their money.
Cleo
Cleo is an AI-powered app designed to improve users’ relationship with money, primarily targeting millennials and Gen Z. It links with existing bank accounts to track spending, create budgets, and suggest savings opportunities. Over time, the app’s algorithm gets smarter and asks users to review whether their purchases align with their values. Users can set up a chatbot to either “pep up” them with encouragement or “rebuke” them for poor choices.
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origin
Origin is a comprehensive finance website designed to provide users with the knowledge and tools they need to make informed decisions about their money. We offer expert articles and guides on investing, budgeting and retirement planning, as well as interactive tools like calculators and portfolio trackers. Origin promotes the four pillars of total financial wellness: perspective, understanding, strategy and support.
You need a budget (YNAB)
YNAB is a popular budgeting app that does more than just track expenses and income. The app encourages users to assign a role to every dollar and helps them prioritize spending to reach their financial goals. YNAB also emphasizes the importance of mindfulness when it comes to money, encouraging users to take charge of their financial habits and make intentional choices with articles, programs, and challenges.
Empower
Empower (formerly Personal Capital) is an investment management app with tools to track net worth, retirement planning, and investment portfolios. By promoting long-term financial planning and stability, Personal Capital reduces anxiety about the future and fosters financial peace of mind. We educate about financial wellness and advocate for mental health.
Calm
Calm, a leading meditation and relaxation app, helps users improve sleep and manage stress and anxiety. Calm educates its community on the importance of financial wellness through articles on financial wellness and mindful spending. Incorporating Calm into your financial wellness routine can help you be more mindful about managing your money and provide a mental reset when you feel financially stressed.
Headspace
Like Calm, Headspace offers guided meditations, mindfulness exercises, and sleep aids to promote mental wellness. By addressing the root causes of stress and anxiety, Headspace helps users approach financial challenges with a clearer, calmer mind. It also offers a specific Mindful Money Toolkit and a collection of Money on the Mind articles.
These apps offer a combination of practical financial tools and a holistic approach to promote overall financial and mental wellbeing. They also provide valuable tools and resources to help users effectively manage their finances while addressing the emotional aspects of managing money. Using these apps can help you feel more confident and in control of your financial and mental health.