Financial stress report: Why high earners feel it too and 3 tools to help

If you’ve ever found yourself lying in bed late at night trying to sleep but instead replaying your monthly bank transactions in your head, you’re not alone.

Our latest Wealthbit Financial Stress Survey found that 80% of people regularly worry about money when they’re trying to relax or sleep. That’s 4 out of 5 of us, budgeting in the dark or carrying guilt and shame into our weekends, relationships, and workdays.

“But I earn R38K per month. I shouldn’t be feeling this way…”

Here’s the thing. Even people who rate their financial health as a 6 or 7 out of 10 often say they feel behind or out of control. That includes high earners and people who seem to “have it all together.”

It’s not always about how much you earn. It’s about the pressure you carry.
You might be coping silently, telling yourself to push through, when actually your body and mind are waving little red flags.

And it’s not just mental. This kind of financial stress can lead to real physical symptoms like poor sleep, fatigue, trouble focusing, and even anxiety or burnout.

The survey also revealed that:
- 30% of people say money regularly causes tension in their relationships
- 7 in 10 are considering leaving their current job due to financial pressure
- 48% have taken on a side hustle or are seriously thinking about it

That means many people are stretching themselves even thinner, taking on side hustles or looking for new jobs in the little time they could’ve spent relaxing or spending time with their families.

What can you do about it?

First, let’s drop the shame. You’re not broken, irresponsible, or failing. Financial stress is a normal response to the world we live in.

Second, you don’t have to deal with all the stress and uncertainty on your own. We’ve created a few tools that can help you start unpacking the stress and taking back control.

1. Get your financial health score
   This 5-minute self-assessment gives you a clear picture of where your money habits are strong and where things might need some attention.
   It’s a judgment-free check-in that helps you see the full picture. Click here to get going.
2. Get the debt repayment workbook
   Whether you have one big loan or a few smaller debts, this free workbook can help you find the best way to pay them off.
3. Use this simple budgeting workbook
   If budgeting feels hard or stressful, this workbook can help. It makes it easy to plan your money around what matters most to you.

These tools are part of the Financial Freedom Programme, designed to help people feel less stressed about money and start building a better financial future. They won’t fix everything overnight, but they can give you a sense of control.

Sometimes, a bit of structure and a simple starting point is all you need to make a real difference.

Want to see the bigger picture?

We created the full Financial Stress Report for employers to understand what their teams are going through and how they can help. But if you’d like to see the data yourself, and know you’re not alone, you can get it here:

👉 Get the full financial stress report