How financial anxiety impacts mental health onboard : A Crew Member’s Story
“I Was Living the Dream—But Silently Drowning”
Jake wasn’t one specific crew member, but rather a blend of many we've met—smart, driven, and eager to make the most of a career at sea. His story, while fictional, reflects the very real financial and emotional challenges we’ve seen time and again among yacht crew.
When Jake first joined the yachting industry, it felt like he had struck gold. Fresh out of a 9-to-5 grind, he traded his cubicle for sunsets in the Med and the thrill of working aboard a superyacht. But behind the filtered photos and exotic ports was a growing financial anxiety he didn’t expect—and didn’t know how to handle.
What made it harder was the comparison culture onboard. “Everyone seemed to have the latest tech, new clothes, and glamorous weekend plans. I felt like if I didn’t keep up, I’d fall behind socially, even if I was falling behind financially.”
The Hidden Costs of the Yachtie Lifestyle
Jake’s salary looked great on paper. But between crew nights out, impulsive online shopping, family obligations back home, and a lack of budgeting discipline, his savings account rarely saw growth. “Every time I got paid, I felt rich. Every time I checked my balance, I felt ashamed.”
He avoided looking at his bank statements altogether and lived paycheck to paycheck, telling himself he’d get serious about saving “next season.”
Mental Toll Below Deck
The financial stress started to bleed into his daily life. Jake became short-tempered with crew, lost motivation during charters, and often isolated himself during downtime. “There’s this pressure to keep up the illusion that everything’s fine—especially when you’re surrounded by wealth. But I was having panic attacks in my bunk.”
It all became a cycle: guilt over spending led to shame, shame led to isolation, and isolation fed the stress. Financial stress became emotional weight. And that emotional weight turned into burnout. Jake wasn’t just anxious about his money—he was starting to lose his sense of identity.
The Turning Point
With professional guidance and a few tough conversations, Jake came to terms with his financial habits. He started tracking his spending using a simple app, built a realistic budget, and opened a separate savings account he couldn’t easily dip into. He also worked with a financial advisor who understood the marine industry to help him make a plan for off-season income and long-term goals.
Just a few months in, Jake noticed a shift: “Once I felt more in control of my money, I felt more in control of everything else.”
But the change wasn’t just financial.
As Jake began taking control of his finances, he also started addressing his mental health. Realizing that his financial stress was a result of deeper emotional struggles, he decided to seek therapy. His therapist helped him unravel the anxiety and fear that had been rooted in past financial mistakes and unhealed emotional wounds.
For Jake, therapy became an essential part of his journey. It wasn’t just about budgeting, it was about understanding the emotional triggers behind his spending habits and learning to cope with the pressures that came with life at sea. Through therapy, he gained a deeper understanding of himself, his relationship with money, and how to break the cycle of stress and self doubt.
Takeaway Tips for Yacht Crew Dealing with Financial Stress
Track every dollar – Awareness is the first step to change. Use apps like YNAB, Goodbudget, or even a simple spreadsheet. And remember, financial awareness is also about understanding your emotional triggers and spending habits. Keeping a journal to track both financial and emotional patterns can provide deeper insights into your stress points.
Automate savings – Direct a percentage of your pay into a savings account before you see it. Automating other habits, like setting aside funds for mental health (therapy, self-care), can help reduce decision fatigue.
Set real goals – Whether it’s a house, a sabbatical, or early retirement, having a reason to save helps you stay motivated.
Talk to someone – Financial stress is common in yachting. Don’t suffer in silence—reach out to a professional or a trusted peer.
Invest in financial literacy – A few hours learning the basics of budgeting, investing, or taxes can change your entire trajectory. Also, invest in emotional literacy, understanding how money affects your mental health will help you make more mindful decisions.
Two Choices. One Paycheck. A Different Kind of ROI.
There’s no shame in either path. Every crew member’s been on both at some point. But the more we repeat one, the more it defines our experience onboard—and off. Over time, these patterns can shape not only our bank accounts but also our outlook on life, creating a cycle where our identity becomes tangled with our habits.
The crew culture of “work hard, play hard” isn’t inherently bad. But when the playing becomes a way to avoid, numb, or distract, it comes at a cost far deeper than your bar tab. The most sustainable way to handle the pressures of life at sea isn’t by avoiding them with temporary distractions, but by addressing the deeper needs we all have, mental clarity, emotional stability, and peace of mind.
So, Which Path Are You On?
You’re Not Alone - And You’re Not Failing
Jake’s journey may be fictional, but the emotions and struggles behind it are all too real. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. And the good news? A better financial future is just a few small steps away.
At McGregor Financial Services, we’ve worked with crew across every rank who’ve faced the same pressures—big paychecks, high expectations, and the silent weight of not knowing how to manage it all.
At Yachtie Minds Matter, we’ve seen how unchecked financial stress can evolve into anxiety, burnout, and even depression.
Together, we believe financial health is mental health.
MFS and Yachtie Minds Matter are here to help you not just survive, but truly thrive—financially, emotionally, and mentally.