Sometimes, life and the cost of living may seem to overtake our paychecks, or income has dropped, or there are unexpected expenses.  Getting a handle on finances and financial stress can feel daunting, or even embarrassing.  But financial stress is a common stress, and many people find themselves needing assistance at one point or another. Financial stress can make us feel like we need to keep it a secret or hide it from friends or family.  Talking about our stress to the people who care about us can help us feel better (financial stress is normal and more common than we think!), give us a sounding board, and can help us come up with some creative solutions.