Grief’s Price Tag: How Grief Affects Your Finances

Grief has a way of touching many aspects of our lives we don’t always see coming: it shows up in our daily routines, our relationships, and even how we see ourselves. But there's one part of our lives that grief can intersect that might surprise you: our finances. As the initial grief of the loss settles, our money matters can shift over time.

Grief and money often intersect in ways we don't always expect. It's not just about the healthcare or funeral expenses that cancome with loss. It's about how our entire financial landscape can change, sometimes subtly, sometimes drastically, as we navigate through challenging times.

Here's what might be happening to your wallet while you're busy trying to keep your head above water:

• Surprise expenses are popping up left and right. Funeral costs, legal fees, your own therapy bills - they're all vying for your attention (and your cash).

• Your income might be taking a nosedive. Maybe you're suddenly trying to make ends meet on one paycheck instead of two. Or you're taking unpaid time off work because, let's face it, grief doesn't exactly boost your productivity.

• Retail therapy or vacationing is calling your name. Sometimes buying stuff or escaping to a hotel feels like the only way to fill the void or distract from the pain. It's tempting, but your credit card bill might not thank you later.

• Making any financial decisions feels overwhelming. When your world has been turned upside down, even simple choices like paying bills or checking your bank balance can feel daunting– so you put them off until later. And when later comes? You might have some extra late fees to pay, on top.

• Long-term financial plan? What are those? You're so focused on getting through each day that thinking about the future seems like a luxury you can't afford.

Sound familiar? This financial chaos is a part of grief that nobody warns you about.

So, what can you do when grief is messing with your money?:

• Cut yourself some slack. Seriously. There's no "right" way to handle finances when you're grieving, and beating yourself up for not being better with your money can add to the already isolating sense of shame that comes with grief, itself. 

• Ask for help. Whether it's a friend who's good with spreadsheets or a financial advisor who gets grief, reach out to someone who can provide you with support that’s sensitive to the loss at hand, but realistic for what you need. 

• Take baby steps. Forget about solving everything at once. Open one bill. Make one phone call. 

• Set a "feeling" budget. If retail therapy helps you get through your lowest points, give yourself permission - but set a small limit that doesn’t break the bank.

• Focus on now, but don't totally forget later. It's okay to prioritize your immediate emotional needs. Just try to avoid decisions that'll make future-you want to time travel and shake present-you.

Remember: You're not failing at grief or at life if your finances are a mess right now. You're navigating one of the toughest terrains life can throw at you. It's okay if your money doesn't make sense when nothing else does either.