Thursday

We hope you've had a great week so far! Today, we're talking about:

• What money dysmorphia is

• How to stop obsessing about finances

• Profit big off of art

• Small savings ideas that can make a big impact

• How you can save money on pet supplies

What Is Money Dysmorphia?

Many of us have a complicated relationship with money. However, some people struggle with feelings of insecurity about money in such a way that it leads them to act out of line with their financial situation — even when on paper, they may not need to.

This is known as "money dysmorphia."

As shared by Bankrate: "Money dysmorphia is when your perception of your financial situation doesn’t represent reality. It’s a distorted view of your finances."

It generally occurs when a person is making enough money to live comfortably but, for some reason or another, feels financially insecure — whether it be social media, past trauma linked with finances, former financial instability, or something else.

This may cause people to be extremely frugal and think they can't spend their money for fear of what may happen if they do.

However, people may also react counterintuitively and either struggle to control their spending or not act toward their financial goals.

Disconnecting from social media and reminding yourself that everyone's situation is different is a good way to help halt comparison if that's where money dysmorphia stems from.

Working with a professional can be helpful if you struggle to navigate these complicated emotions.

How To Stop Obsessing About Finances

Regardless of your financial situation, daily expenses, income, and any other factors, anxiety surrounding money is not uncommon.

It impacts so many different areas of our lives that it's normal to have mixed feelings about our finances — especially in different seasons.

However, just like with anything, you don't want to worry about it to the point when it begins to impact your health and well-being.

While this is easier said than done sometimes, there are small steps you can take to help feel a little more calm and not let take up as much mental space.

• Focus on what you can control: While there are some factors we may not be able to avoid, it can help to get empowered with what you can. A budget is a great place to start and will help you monitor your income, and where your money goes each month.

• Learn: There are so many great free resources to help us learn financial literacy and get empowered about our finances, which can help ease many of the feelings of overwhelm. Podcasts, YouTube, and books are amazing resources — just be sure you're getting your information from a verified expert!

• Set goals — no matter how small they may seem: Saving a 6-month emergency fund may feel like a mountain to climb if you're living paycheck-to-paycheck. However, making a goal to set aside even a couple of dollars a week for a savings fund is an amazing start.

• Care for yourself: Self-care doesn't have to be expensive, and there are so many ways you can practice it for free! Pour into yourself through meditation, journaling, long baths, some deep breaths, and whatever else helps you feel at peace.

$47 Million in Artwork Sales Equals Profits for These Everyday Investors

Masterworks is taking on the billionaires at their own game, buying up paintings by world-class artists like Banksy and Picasso, and securitizing them for its investors.

When Masterworks sells a painting – like the 16 it's already sold – investors reap their portion of the net proceeds. Its investors have already received proceeds from more than $47 million in sales, realizing annualized net returns of 17.8%, 21.5%, 35% and more.

Now, Masterworks wants to do the same thing for you. By qualifying every offering with the SEC, Masterworks makes it easy for everyday people to invest in multi-million dollar paintings. Offerings can sell out in just minutes, but as a trusted partner, Note To Self readers can skip the waitlist to join here.

Thank you to Masterworks for sponsoring Note To Self.

Small Savings Ideas That Can Have a Big Impact

Savings may not seem like the most exciting thing in the world — but they can be super important for our financial wellness and security!

If you're interested in building savings but aren't where to start, don't stress.

You don't have to throw half your paychecks into savings to see it add up!

Here are a few small ideas to get started:

• Automate: Schedule a set amount to transfer to your savings every week, each time you get paid, or every month. Over time, you may not even notice that money moving!

• Begin small: You don't have to transfer hundreds or thousands of dollars to savings. For example, if you decide to buy yourself lunch, transfer the equivalent of what you spent into savings! Moving small amounts to match your purchases can be super impactful and feel much less daunting.

• Build it into your budget: Rather than saying you'll transfer over whatever leftover money you have at the end of the month to savings, treat it like an expense and build it into your budget. This may make you less likely to overspend and more likely to commit to that savings!

• Trim non-essentials in your budget—even for a week or a month: How much money could you save if you committed to making all your meals, coffees, and snacks at home for just one week? What would happen if you didn't buy any clothes for a month? Pressing pause for even short periods can be a great way to build your savings!

Spoil Your Pet and Save with Chewy.com

Stock up on tasty treats, supplies and toys to keep your pal entertained, fed and healthy. Today's Deal: $20 off $49 or more plus free shipping with code WELCOME.

Why Chewy.com?

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• Great Savings: Take advantage of the special deal to get $20 off on purchases over $49, making pet care more affordable.

• Fast Shipping: Most orders arrive within 1-2 days, ensuring you get what you need quickly.

• Exceptional Customer Service: Experience top-notch customer support that’s ready to help with any questions or issues.

• User-Friendly Shopping: Enjoy an easy-to-navigate website with detailed product descriptions and reviews from other pet owners.

Pamper your pet with $20 off essentials when you spend $49 or more at Chewy. Shop now.

Thank you to Chewy for sponsoring Note To Self.

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Around 65%. No matter where you begin, starting to save can help you feel a sense of financial peace!

• 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: It can be hard not to think about money frequently, as it impacts so many areas of our lives. See what you can do to make peace with what you can't control, and plan for what you can.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!