"Avoiding Your Finances Is Costing You More Than You Think: Why Facing the Numbers Even Slowly Is the Path to Freedom"

Jul 21
4 min read

Let’s face it money can be uncomfortable. For many people, even thinking about their finances brings a wave of anxiety, shame, or overwhelm. So instead of dealing with it, they avoid it. The unopened bills pile up. The credit card statement goes ignored. The budget never gets made. And day by day, avoidance quietly chips away at their peace of mind and financial future.

But here’s the hard truth: avoiding your financial reality doesn’t make the problems go away. It makes them grow.

If you’ve ever felt paralyzed by the weight of your financial situation, you're not alone. Millions of people are silently suffering under the pressure of debt, low credit scores, missed payments, and the stress of living paycheck to paycheck. But what’s keeping most people stuck isn’t a lack of money it's a lack of action.

The Silent Toll of Avoidance

When you avoid your finances, you're doing more than just delaying uncomfortable feelings. You're actively putting your future at risk. Here’s how:

Debt compounds: Interest builds whether you're looking or not. What was once a manageable balance becomes a mountain overnight.
Credit scores suffer: Missed payments, high utilization, and collections hurt your ability to borrow, buy a home, or get a fair interest rate even if you’ve changed.
Opportunities pass by: You miss out on investments, business ventures, or saving strategies that could change your life.
Stress becomes chronic: Financial stress isn’t just emotional. It affects your health, relationships, job performance, and even your sleep.

Avoidance may feel like protection, but in reality, it’s a trap.

Why People Avoid Their Finances

Let’s get honest. Avoidance is often rooted in:

Shame: “I should be further along by now.”
Fear: “What if it’s worse than I thought?”
Overwhelm: “I don’t know where to start.”
Perfectionism: “If I can’t do it all, I won’t do anything.”

These are real feelings but they are not facts. The fact is, small steps can lead to massive progress.

A Little at a Time Is Better Than Nothing at All

You don’t have to fix everything overnight. In fact, the best financial transformations happen in small, consistent steps. Start with five minutes a day. One phone call a week. One account reviewed every Sunday. Here’s how:

1. Face One Number

Log into your bank account. Look at your current balance. That’s it. Getting comfortable seeing the facts is the first step to regaining control.

2. List Your Debts

Write down every debt you owe no judgment. Just facts. Name the creditor, the amount, and the minimum payment. This list becomes your starting line.

3. Track One Week of Spending

No apps needed. Just jot down every dollar you spend for seven days. You’ll be surprised what you learn and what you can cut.

4. Pull Your Credit Report

You can get it free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Knowledge is power. Your credit report gives you a snapshot of what’s affecting your score.

5. Pick One Goal

Choose one small goal like paying off a $300 credit card or saving $20 a week. Hit that, then aim higher. Success builds confidence.

The Benefits of Facing Your Finances

When you stop avoiding and start acting, here’s what happens:

Peace of Mind: Even if you’re still in debt, knowing you have a plan reduces stress instantly.
Confidence: With every bill paid, every debt tracked, you start to feel powerful again.
Progress: Small actions add up. Within weeks, you’ll see your situation change.
Clarity: You’ll stop guessing and start making informed decisions.
Opportunities: Credit repair, homeownership, investing, entrepreneurship all become possible when you’re in control.

You Are Not Alone But It’s Your Responsibility

No one is coming to save you. But that’s not a curse it’s a gift. Because it means you don’t have to wait on anyone else to get started. The power is already in your hands.

Millions of people have gone from broke, buried in debt, or financially overwhelmed to confident, clear, and in control simply because they decided to stop running from their money.

They didn’t wait until they had more money. They didn’t wait until January 1st. They didn’t wait until everything was perfect. They just started… right where they were.

And so can you.

Avoidance is easy, but it’s not free. The longer you delay, the more it costs you financially, emotionally, and mentally.

You don’t need to do everything today. But you do need to do something. Just one step forward, every day. That’s the path to healing your relationship with money, repairing your credit, and ultimately building the wealth you deserve.

It’s time to stop hiding from your finances and start reclaiming your future. One decision. One dollar. One day at a time.

You’ve got this. And if you ever need a guide, Right Side of Money is here to help.