Is Not Saving Enough Keeping You Awake at Night?

So, there I was at 2 a.m., wide awake, staring at the ceiling. Not because of some dramatic plot twist in a Netflix series or a noisy neighbor, but because my brain decided it was the perfect time to remind me of something terrifying: I’m not saving enough. 😱

You know that feeling, right? That icy realization that your savings account looks more like a dessert menu than a main course — sweet but not substantial. If you’re tossing and turning over finances like I was, don’t worry. You’re not alone, and there’s hope. Let’s break this down together.

The Midnight Money Panic

Why does financial anxiety always hit at night? Seriously, during the day, I can distract myself with coffee runs, memes, or telling myself, “It’s fine, I’ll figure it out later.” But when the world gets quiet, my inner accountant pipes up with questions like:

• How much do you actually have saved? (Spoiler: not much.)
• What if your car breaks down? (Oh, please don’t jinx me.)
• Are you ever going to retire? Or just work forever like a cheerful, over-caffeinated hamster on a wheel?

And then, the big one: Am I doing enough? It’s the kind of question that spirals into hours of overthinking. But instead of letting it paralyze me, I decided to take action.

Facing the Facts (AKA The Bank Statement of Doom)

The first step in tackling financial insomnia is pulling off the metaphorical Band-Aid. I sat down, opened my banking app (without looking away like it was a scary movie), and made myself confront the numbers. Here’s what I realized:

1. I wasn’t budgeting properly. Sure, I tracked major bills, but the “fun money” section was out of control. How was I spending so much on snacks?
2. Emergency savings? Ha! I had about enough to cover a surprise pizza, not an actual emergency.
3. Retirement? Oh, sweet summer child. I’d barely started.

Was it fun? Nope. Did it need to happen? Absolutely.

Making Small Changes That Actually Help

Here’s where the magic started happening. Once I got over the initial shame (and trust me, we’ve all been there), I decided to make some changes. Not massive, scary ones, but small steps that felt manageable. Here’s what worked:

1. Automating Savings

This was a game-changer. I set up automatic transfers from my checking account to savings every payday. It wasn’t much — just 10% of my income to start — but it added up faster than I expected. Plus, I didn’t have to think about it, which is perfect because I’m the queen of procrastination.

2. Tracking Every Dirham

I downloaded a budgeting app (because spreadsheets are not my love language). Seeing where my money was going — and where I could cut back — was eye-opening. Did I really need that fourth streaming service? Nope.

3. Building an Emergency Fund

Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the thought of saving months’ worth of expenses, I started small. The goal? AED1,000 as a safety net. Baby steps, folks. 🍼

4. Setting Realistic Goals

I broke my big savings dreams into bite-sized chunks. For example, instead of thinking, “I need AED50,000 for a down payment,” I focused on saving AED 500 at a time. Way less intimidating.

5. Cutting Sneaky Expenses

Those “little” expenses add up. I swapped my daily AED5 latte for making coffee at home. Am I as happy about it? Not always. But my wallet sure is.

The Sleep-At-Night Factor

Fast forward a few months, and I’m happy to report that I’m no longer losing sleep over my savings (mostly). Don’t get me wrong — I’m still not rolling in dough, but I’ve got a plan. And honestly, that’s the most comforting part. Knowing I’m making progress, however slow, is better than lying in bed worrying.

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to be perfect at saving to feel more in control. Start where you are. Even if it’s just skipping one takeout meal or throwing an extra AED 20 into your savings account, it matters. Those small wins add up over time.

Final Thoughts: Progress, Not Perfection

If you’re lying awake, stressing about money, remember this: you’re not alone, and it’s never too late to start. Financial security isn’t about getting it all right at once — it’s about making consistent, small steps toward your goals. So, take a deep breath, grab a coffee (homemade, maybe?), and start taking action. Your future self will thank you.

And hey, when you’re feeling stuck, just remember: I’m here, rooting for you. We’ve got this. 💪

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Marl Ben

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