By: BEV O’SHEA
If you’re depressed, paying bills may be the last thing on your mind.
Depression or anxiety can make it difficult to concentrate, remember details or make decisions. Fatigue from poor sleep can also make depressed people vulnerable to financial missteps.
Forgetting to pay a bill can have big consequences on your credit standing, and that can affect your ability to qualify for a credit card or an apartment. A single bill paid more than 30 days late can subtract up to 100 points from your credit score, and that can cost you money in the form of higher interest rates on loans, for example.
If the sadness and stress were brought on by money problems, having a game plan may be a step toward relief. If it is chronic depression, which requires treatment, certain safeguards can help minimize impact on your finances.