Money doesn't buy happiness, but financial stress will absolutely steal it. Research by Ridley and colleagues shows your brain treats debt like a physical threat, spiking anxiety, depression, and blood pressure. Billy and Suzy rebuilt from the 2008 crash, a divorce, broken cars, and piles of debt, celebrating each payoff like a birthday. The real reward? Sleeping through the night. Try a weekly ten-minute "Money Date" to face your finances in small doses, and start spotting the marketing tricks designed to hypnotize your wallet. Even five dollars to savings proves you're driving the bus.