The Online Investing AI Blog

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You start out loving this whole personal finance thing.

You read the latest Dave Ramsey book. You even took notes!

You set a budget. And you monitor it.

You are frugal. You spend on only necessary things and shop for bargains.

You invest wisely.

But then you notice some changes. You’re not making progress on your goals. Are you a victim of financial burnout?

Like anything, too much of a good thing can lead to burnout. Here are five ways you can tell you’re suffering from financial burnout:

Cynicism
A little cynicism is a good thing. But, if you find that you’ve become cynical–about everything. You might be burnout.

Exhaustion
Burnout can make you feel constantly tired. You feel like you’re in a fog.

Poor sleep patterns
Getting regular sleep helps you keep energized and alleviates some of that mental fatigue.

Substance abuse
Burnout and malaise can lead to (and be influenced by) substance abuse. It doesn’t have to be drugs or alcohol, either. Monitor your eating, smoking, and other habits.

Boredom
When you no longer find enjoyment in the things you used to love to do, it’s a definite sign of boredom.

If you have these symptoms, it’s time to take evasive action. Take a break. Take some time off and re-charge your batteries. Don’t abandon any of the progress you’ve made re-setting your personal financial compass. That’s the real danger of burnout–that you’ll jump back into bad behavior. Just take a breather.

You should also automated some of the financial processes. Use an online budgeting service. Set up an automatic retirement account enrollment system.

Another thought: you might want to see a professional, or talk with your minister or spiritual adviser. Burnout could be a sign of depression and that’s not something you want to take lightly.

Do you have any warning signs of financial burnout that I missed? What about ways to alleviate burnout?  Give us your take in the comment section below.

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