Michele Jennings, Chief Executive of glu (a division of PPS)

Let’s be real…financial stress is one of the biggest pressures most of us face. It seeps into everything: sleep, focus, relationships, even physical health. If you’ve ever felt that knot in your stomach when bills pile up or savings goals feel out of reach, you’re not alone.

Money can be one of the hardest things to talk about, especially in a world that measures success by what you earn, wear, or drive. But here’s the truth: financial wellness is about so much more than numbers. It’s not just a balance sheet; it’s a state of mind.

When we’re financially stressed, our brains go into overdrive. Cortisol (that pesky stress hormone) spikes, making it harder to think clearly, sleep deeply, or make good decisions. Over time, that kind of chronic stress can lead to anxiety, burnout, and even depression.

So how do we break the cycle and get back to a place of calm and control? Michele Jennings, Chief Executive of glu, a new financial service provider, within PPS, shares her five tips on how to reduce financial anxiety.

1. Start small

We all know that payday millionaire feeling right? That’s the perfect time to set up an automatic transfer, even just R100, into a savings account the day your salary hits. You’ll barely feel it go, and you’ll train your brain to save first, spend later. It’s not about the amount, it’s about consistency. Future-you will thank you for it (especially when it’s mampara week and you’re scraping together that same R100).

2. Rebrand your budget

That word alone is enough to trigger a mild anxiety attack. Try thinking of it as your money plan. It’s not about cutting fun out of your life, it’s about knowing where your money’s actually going, and deciding if that’s where you want it to go. Shifting your language, therefore your mindset, can help you see a budget as a tool for empowerment, rather than a complex excel spreadsheet.

3. Talk about money like it’s normal

Because it is. The more we talk about money, the less shame we carry. Chat to friends, partners, even colleagues. You’d be surprised how many people you admire are figuring it out as they go, just like you.

4. Make your money work while you sleep.

Here’s a game-changer: insurance can also be an investment tool to protect your future. Some financial services providers, like glu, operate as mutuals. That means there are no shareholders, the value created is shared with members. Instead, members/policy holders are essentially the shareholders, and they share in the company’s profits over time. So, when the company does well, so do you. It’s a smart way to think about long-term financial wellness, your premiums don’t just protect you today; they can pay out later, helping your money grow alongside your peace of mind.

5. Take care of the person behind the money plan.

Money stress doesn’t disappear just because your spreadsheet looks neat. Sleep, move, rest, and recharge, because a clear mind makes better financial decisions. Remember: your worth isn’t tied to your bank balance.

Financial wellness and mental wellness are deeply connected; they rise and fall together. When one is cared for, the other follows. Because yes, money matters. But so does your mental health.

ENDS