Ever feel like you can’t even leave the house without spending $50? We feel you. Life is more expensive than ever. 

Even if you keep a budget (whether loosely or strictly), unexpected expenses will come up—and they rarely align with payday. We're told to save six months’ worth of our salary, yet most of us can barely make it to the end of the month with cash left over after paying rent, bills, and buying groceries. 

In the daily scramble to make ends meet, the last thing you want to hear is bad news. But here’s the unfortunate truth: financial stress isn’t just stressing you out, it’s bad for your health. 

What financial stress feels like

It’s waking up at 3 a.m., replaying what will happen if your student loan payment is late. It’s feeling panicked at the grocery store when you go to tap your card and don’t know if it’ll get accepted. It’s snapping at your partner over something small. It’s feeling your chest tighten when you open your email. It’s heartburn, a pounding headache, or the gnawing sense that something is always just about to go wrong.

Maybe you’ve stopped going out with your friends. The things that once brought you joy feel distant. That’s when stress crosses the line.

In Canada and the United States, the impact of financial stress on physical and mental health is clear. People dealing with financial stress are: 

• Twice as likely to report poor overall health
• Four times as likely to suffer from sleep issues and headaches

Financial stress can also lead to heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. 

And the ripple effects of financial stress extend further: 

• Over one-third (36 percent) of adults in the US say that they have skipped or postponed getting health care because of the cost 
• Three in four (75 percent) of uninsured adults below age 65 in the US say they went without needed care because of the cost  

The last thing we want to do is stress you out even more, so here’s the silver lining—there are easy ways to manage your finances and the related mental and physical impacts. 

Recognizing these signs matters. Having a plan to regain control is the first step toward improving your level of financial stress. Remember—you are not alone.

Economic tools are health tools

When you have real-world support with your financial stress that actually helps manage costs, you can reduce the pressure and start living better. 

We’ve built a comprehensive suite of supports that go beyond just getting paid. All of these tools can be accessed in the ZayZoon app, and many are available to you even if your company doesn’t yet use ZayZoon.

Earned wage access (EWA)

With earned wage access (EWA), you can withdraw your earned wages before payday. You can get your music, TV and movies, and food delivery with a few taps on your phone, so why not your paycheck? 

No more waiting two weeks for the next payday. With EWA, you can handle financial emergencies like a flat tire or overdraft fees without relying on credit cards, payday lenders, or asking friends and family for a loan. 

And it works: 70% of employees who use ZayZoon say it reduces their financial stress.

With our fee-free instant payout options, like instant gift cards, you can waive the $5 transaction fee you would pay with a direct deposit to your bank. 

Perks 

ZayZoon’s newly launched Perks Marketplace makes everyday life more affordable. When you can confidently cover daily costs and access other resources that support your overall well-being, it goes a long way towards reducing financial stress. 

With Perks Marketplace, you can:

• Save on essentials. Don’t choose between meals or bills—access your earned wages early by withdrawing them on a fee-free gift card, often boosted up to 25 percent.
  
  
• Get discounted prescriptions. Clever RX gets you up to 80 percent off prescription and over-the-counter medications with a free, no-membership discount card that you can share with your family.
  
  
• Save on insurance. Compare and switch discounted home, auto, and pet insurance plans in just a few minutes. This way, you know you’re prepared for emergencies and not overpaying for your much-needed insurance coverage.
  
  
• Access affordable mental health tools. With mindfulness apps, you can proactively support your emotional and psychological wellness, whether your goal is improving your mood, focus, or sleep. 

Sometimes, managing financial stress is about getting creative with the right tools. Think of ZayZoon’s Perks Marketplace like a toolbox of trusty resources that are there when you need them.

Financial education 

A common effect of dealing with financial stress is feeling so overwhelmed that you don’t even know where to start. Knowing this, ZayZoon created Money Mindsets. It’s a fast and easy quiz to help you reflect on your spending habits and get judgment-free financial advice at no cost. 

If you want to go further with your financial education, ZayZoon offers courses free of charge on topics like building credit, budgeting, and more. 

When it comes to your money, knowledge is power, and ZayZoon’s quick and easy-to-access financial education can help you feel more in control of your money. 

Take control of your money and your health 

Financial stress doesn’t just live in your bank account. It lives in your body, your relationships, and your peace of mind. But it doesn’t have to stay that way.

You deserve tools that help you break the paycheck-to-paycheck cycle, feel prepared for the unexpected, and support your well-being in the process. 

Whether it’s accessing your earned wages early, saving money on everyday essentials, getting affordable mental health support, or learning how to build better financial habits, ZayZoon is here to make financial wellness more accessible.

Because when you have options, you have power. And when you have power, you have peace.

Take the first step today. Not just for your finances, but for your whole self.

Download the ZayZoon app in the Google Play store, find it in the Apple App Store, or access it online at www.zayzoon.com.