The key to overall financial happiness lies in simplicity and intentional thinking. Financial anxiety does not limit itself to households in need of money. It affects both the rich and the poor and is a very real problem that stems from the way we think about and interact with money. When our spending is not in-line with our core values and goals, we become unbalanced both financially and emotionally. Financial stress affects all aspects of our well-being and often creeps into the most important relationships in our lives. Many people live in a state of denial assuming that their financial situations will eventually work themselves out over time. The reality is that deliberate steps are needed to achieve both our personal and financial goals.  A decision to empower yourself through financial independence is an essential one.