Why Money Worries Don't Discriminate.
By Daniel Jones, Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).
IN SHORT
Money worries affect people at every income level, and they often peak in our 40s, 50s and 60s, when decisions about family, pensions, retirement and inheritance get bigger. The stress is rarely about a specific number. It comes from uncertainty, so the most effective way to reduce it is clarity: knowing what you have, what you need and what you want your money to achieve.
One of the strange realities of money, is that worry doesn't always disappear when your bank balance grows.
Have too little and you're constantly wondering whether there's enough. Enough to cover the bills. Enough to retire. Enough to help the family if they need you.
Have more than enough and the worries simply change shape. Suddenly the questions become about tax, estates, inheritance and whether your children will end up losing a significant portion of what you've spent a lifetime building. You start wondering whether you're investing wisely, spending too cautiously or leaving potential problems for the next generation to deal with.
The truth is that financial stress exists at almost every level. It's rarely about a specific number. It's about uncertainty. In a 2026 survey of more than 2,000 UK adults by thinkmoney, 65% said they spend time worrying about money in a typical week and 30% said money worries had stopped them making plans for the future.
That's why the goal isn't simply accumulating more money. The goal is understanding what you have, what you need and what you want your money to achieve. Because whether you're worried about making it through the month or passing wealth on efficiently, clarity almost always reduces stress more effectively than another pound in the bank.
Money Isn't Just About Numbers
By the time you reach your 40s, 50s or 60s, money usually becomes less about earning and more about what it allows you to do. Looking after family, helping children onto the property ladder, planning retirement, travelling more, reducing work or simply sleeping better at night.
The problem is that money worries don’t disappear just because you've accumulated more of it. In fact, the decisions often get bigger and more complicated. The good news is - financial confidence is rarely about having the most money. It's about understanding where you stand and making informed choices about where you're heading.
the sandwich generation
The Stress Nobody Talks About
Many people in midlife find themselves caught in the middle, part of what can be called the sandwich generation. Supporting children who still need help. Caring for ageing parents. Managing a mortgage, savings, pensions and the realities of a career which may look very different from how it did ten years ago.
It's no surprise that money becomes one of the biggest sources of stress during this stage of life. Yet it's often the topic people are least willing to discuss. Research for St James's Place in 2026 found that 22% of people aged 55 and over said their finances had affected their mental wellbeing in the past year. A 2025 Schroders Personal Wealth report found just 6% of people with money worries discuss them with a financial adviser.
Taking a step back, understanding your options and creating a clear plan can remove far more pressure than chasing the next pay rise ever will.
Wealth Is Having Choice
The popular image of wealth is fast cars, expensive watches and a large house with land. The reality is usually much simpler.
Wealth is having the choice to take time off when you want to.
It’s having the freedom to travel without worrying about the credit card bill.
It’s knowing that a surprise expense won’t throw your plans off course.
It’s being able to work because you choose to, not because you have to.
The Longer Game won’t show you how to get rich overnight. It’s about building options for the decades ahead.
Retirement Is Not An Age
Many people spend years focusing on a retirement date without ever thinking about what retirement actually looks like. It could mean travelling more or working fewer days, volunteering, learning new skills or spending more time with family. The financial side matters, but the life balance matters just as much.
Try asking yourself three questions:
1 What will a normal week look like?
2 Who do I want to spend more time with?
3 What do I want to do more of and less of?
The most successful retirements are usually planned long before the final day of work arrives.
Simple Habits Which Reduce Money Stress
You don’t need to become a financial expert. You don’t need spreadsheets covering every surface in the house. You certainly don’t need to spend every waking moment thinking about money.
What matters is developing healthy financial habits that support the life you want to live. Spend intentionally. Save consistently. Invest sensibly. Review regularly.
- Spend intentionally: know where your money goes each month, so spending reflects what matters to you.
- Save consistently: build a cash buffer so a surprise bill is an inconvenience, not a crisis.
- Invest sensibly: check your pensions and investments match your timeline and how much risk you’re comfortable with.
- Review regularly: book yourself an annual money check-up, like a health MOT. Lost track of an old workplace pension? The free Pension Tracing Service can help.
Just like fitness, wellbeing and nutrition, the biggest results usually come from doing the right things consistently over time.
The Longer Game life areas don’t live in silos, they all overlap and interlock with each other. Explore more ways to feel better in midlife in our Wellbeing and Work & Life areas, or sign up for regular The Longer Game newsletter for practical tips across every life area, straight to your inbox.
The Cost of Constant Worry
Money stress has a habit of showing up everywhere. It affects sleep, relationships, confidence and even physical health. Left unchecked, it can take the enjoyment out of experiences you’ve spent years working towards.
The answer is rarely perfection. It’s clarity.
Knowing what you have. Understanding what you need. Having a realistic plan for the future. Sometimes a simple change in perspective can reduce financial anxiety far more effectively than another hour spent checking investment values.
If money worries are affecting your sleep, mood or relationships, talking to someone really does help. The mental health charity Mind has practical guidance on money and mental health.
About The Author
Daniel Jones is an FCA Regulated Financial Adviser with Jigso Financial Planning, providing face-to-face financial planning for families, professionals and businesses. Drawing on a background in business, he helps clients understand their finances, use government allowances to their advantage, be tax efficient, become retirement ready and stay properly protected. He is also the author of Money Matters Sorted, a personal finance guide for older teenagers and young adults. (link)
Meet Daniel on our Expert Collective Page
Jigso Financial Planning is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why do I still worry about money when I have enough?
Because money worry is usually driven by uncertainty rather than the balance itself. As your wealth grows, the questions shift to tax, pensions, inheritance and protecting your family, so the worry changes shape rather than disappearing.
Q: Is money stress common in your 50s and 60s?
Yes. Midlife often means supporting children and ageing parents at the same time as managing a mortgage, pensions and a changing career. In 2026 research for St James’s Place, 22% of people aged 55 and over said their finances had affected their mental wellbeing in the past year.
Q: What is the quickest way to reduce money anxiety?
Get clarity. Write down what you have, what you owe and what you need each month, then decide what you want your money to achieve. A simple plan usually reduces stress more than earning more.
Q: Where can I get free, impartial money guidance in the UK?
MoneyHelper, backed by the government, offers free guidance on pensions, budgeting and debt, including free Pension Wise appointments for over-50s with a defined contribution pension. For money and mental health, the charity Mind has practical advice.
Q: How do I plan for retirement beyond the money?
Picture a normal week in retirement: who you spend time with, what you do more of and what you do less of. Planning the lifestyle alongside the finances helps you set the right goals and avoid a sudden stop on your final day of work.
About The Author
Daniel Jones is an FCA Regulated Financial Adviser with Jigso Financial Planning, providing face-to-face financial planning for families, professionals and businesses. Drawing on a background in business, he helps clients understand their finances, use government allowances to their advantage, be tax efficient, become retirement ready and stay properly protected. He is also the author of Money Matters Sorted, a personal finance guide for older teenagers and young adults. (link)
Meet Daniel on our Expert Collective Page
Jigso Financial Planning is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority).
Important
The Longer Game shares general information to help you think about money, finances and wellbeing. It isn’t regulated financial advice. For advice on your own situation, speak to a regulated financial adviser.
A quick note on how we work: some of the links in our articles are affiliate links, which means if you buy something through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend gear and products we'd genuinely use ourselves, tested rather than guessed at. You can read more in our Affiliate Disclosure.
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