Fight the Flu Through Your Finances

When it’s flu season, many people try to fight off the illness before it ruins their daily plans. While stocking up on vitamin C and flu shots helps, one surprising weapon in your wellness arsenal is financial stability. Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, making it harder for you to stay healthy.

Why Finances Play a Part in Your Health

Money remains a leading cause of stress for Americans. In the 2024 Stress in America report, 66% of U.S. adults cited money as a significant source of stress.¹ This stress doesn’t just stay in your mind; it affects your body.

• 76% of Americans report physical symptoms caused by stress, including fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems.²
• Nearly 1 in 3 skip or delay medical care due to cost concerns.³

It’s plain and simple: people with financial stress tend to get sick more often and stay sick longer. Worse yet, when money is tight, people are more likely to delay treatment or avoid going to the doctor altogether, which can turn a simple case of the flu into something much more serious and costly.

A New Kind of Doctor: Your Money Coach

Poor finances lead to poor health, which can then cause more financial stress. It’s a vicious cycle, but one that Money Coaches are trained to break. A Money Coach can help you create a strategy to reduce money-related stress and free up resources to prioritize your health.

These professionals are certified in areas like financial counseling, accounting, and coaching. Their goal is to support your journey to financial well-being, so that your overall wellness may also improve.

And yes — it works.

A recent 2024 report showed that 74% of employees who used financial wellness programs felt significantly less stress and better control over their finances.⁴

What kind of outcome might you expect?

Hundreds of thousands of employees across the country have already turned to MSA Money Coaches for help. Here’s what they’re saying:

“After the first three months, I was already on my way to great financial wellness, and as of right now, I am pretty satisfied with my overall financial health. All thanks to MSA!!!”

“I know my past financial stress has affected my health, state of mind, and work performance. [Now] I feel totally in control of my money and spending, and now see the light at the end of a very short tunnel.”

“[My Money Coach] takes into account the myriad of issues affecting finances, from a holistic point of view. My health — both physical and mental — is better, and it is not a surprise that this has gone along with my financial wellness.”

A Few Ways to Get Started

1. Track Your Spending
Many people feel financial stress simply because they don’t know where their money is going. Start tracking all your purchases — from monthly bills to your morning coffee. Awareness helps bring control.

2. Review Your Health Insurance
Check whether your current plan still suits your needs. Are there FSAs or HSAs available? Are you making use of preventative care benefits? A Money Coach can help you analyze these options.

3. Build a Medical Emergency Fund
Even setting aside $25–$50 a month can create a cushion for unexpected healthcare expenses. This can keep you from relying on credit cards or skipping treatment due to cost.

4. Talk to a Money Coach
Don’t wait for a crisis. A Money Coach can help you design a proactive financial action plan that supports both your wallet and your well-being.

Bottom Line

Money stress doesn’t just weigh on your mind; it can wear down your body. As you gear up for flu season, make sure your finances are part of your self-care plan. Let a Money Coach help you build immunity against money stress.

Schedule a session with a Money Coach today.

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¹ American Psychological Association. (2024). Stress in America 2024. https://www.apa.org/pubs/reports/stress-in-america/2024

² Talker Research. (2025, May 5). Most Americans have financial anxiety — and it’s taking a toll on their bodies: Poll. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2025/05/05/lifestyle/most-americans-have-financial-anxiety-and-its-taking-a-toll-on-their-bodies-poll/

³ Medical Records Review. (2024). Healthcare cost crisis: 27% of Americans skip medical treatment in 2024. https://medicalrecordsreview.com/info-graphics/healthcare-cost-crisis

⁴ Origin Financial. (2024). Financial wellness stats you need to know in 2024. https://www.useorigin.com/resources/blog/financial-wellness-stats-you-need-to-know-in-2024