BUY EXPREIENCES

To tame financial stress, take a few sensible steps, said Sharon Epperson in CNBC.com. The levels of household debt many Americans carry, ranging from college loans to credit card debt to large mortgages, can lead to constant financial anxiety. But there are three guiding principles that can help reduce your money worries. First and foremost, “don’t spend money that you don’t have.” It’s the only way to keep even more debt from piling up. When you do decide to splurge, “buy experiences, not things.” Studies say spending money on vacations or restaurant dinners can often be more satisfying than material things, whose appeal quickly dwindles. Finally, do your best to sock away something each month, ideally 10 percent of whatever you earn. “Sticking to this principle early can make a great impact in overcoming financial stress.”