Page 53 - Workbook2E

Your Financial Stress Profile—Evaluations Stressor No. 1 Financial Forms from page 33
Form-a-phobia! At sometime nearly everyone faces the need to fill out forms, like financial statements, loan and job applications, tax returns, and more. Even with the explosion of electronic communication, we’re still constantly bombarded with questions to answer—whether it’s on paper or online. You’re faced with questions about your finances and the condition of your personal affairs. Some of these inquiries may bring stress into your life. Even these profile questionnaires may have caused you some stress. Consider these recommendations based on the results of Your Financial Stress Profile questionnaire.
You’re currently feeling relatively mild stress from financial forms.
Since you’re comfortable with forms and applications, you need to be careful to not take them too lightly. Often the care you show filling out forms determines the success or failure of your objective.
Remember sometimes things may look simpler than they actually are. Read the fine print. Be sure you’ve given the correct information.
Understand all conditions before signing any document. Even if a form appears easy
to complete, don’t regard
the required information too lightly. Remember “garbage in, garbage out!”
Loan applications may be an easy task for you, but making loan payments can be a future stressor. Consider the consequences before signing and incurring any debt. Loan fees and payments you agree to in the application are a deduction from your future earnings.
You’re currently feeling only moderate stress from financial forms.
At times you may feel more confident and willing to fill out forms than other times. Remember the longer you put them off, the more stressful the process becomes.
It may be a question of how familiar you feel with the information at the time. Ask for help with any areas you’re uncertain about. There are NO stupid questions.
Take the time necessary to familiarize yourself with the form; you may want to read everything first.
Keep your information current and accessible. If you have a functional filing system for vital information, be sure
it’s up-to-date. Outdated information can create stress for you when you’re asked to provide current data.
Take care of forms promptly; procrastination will only increase your level of stress.
You’re currently feeling considerable stress from financial forms.
Often the fear of filling
out forms comes from the uncertainty you feel about the commitment you’re making.
Be clear about what you’re being asked to do before being pressured to go ahead; but once you know the purpose of the form, dismiss the fear, and move ahead.
It may be helpful to visualize the possible results of failing to fill out a form. Penalties, late fees, higher interest, lower credit rating, and loss of opportunities are all examples of what may happen if you don’t fill out certain forms.
Resist the temptation to give up just because it seems too difficult. Find someone to help who’s more comfortable with forms or has experience with this or similar forms.
Set up a useable filing system for ready information to help you in filling out forms.
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