This article is sponsored content produced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and presented by Montana Free Press. 

If you’ve found yourself staying up late thinking about your finances or just feeling anxious overall about your financial future, you’re not alone. While finances can impact overall stress, taking steps to manage your finances can support your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

When it comes to money, the sources of stress may look different for everyone, but identifying the underlying causes and setting goals accordingly may help you feel more confident about your financial future. 

Consider these strategies to help improve your financial wellness and reduce stress:

1. Understand what causes financial stress

While everyone’s financial situation is unique, several common sources of stress have the potential to strain your financial health. These include financial and economic uncertainty, existing debts, unexpected expenses, and mental or physical health changes. Financial stress may differ from situation to situation, but understanding the factors contributing to yours may help you begin to craft a plan for your unique circumstances.

2. Determine your financial priorities

Start by reflecting on your financial priorities. This can include paying for school or paying off student loans, building an emergency fund, paying down credit card debt or buying a car. Name the milestones that are most important to you, and plan accordingly.

3. Create a plan and stick to it

While setting actionable goals starts you on the journey to better financial health, it’s essential to craft a plan to follow through. Identifying and committing to a savings plan may give you a greater sense of control over your finances, which may help reduce your stress. Creating and sticking to a budget allows you to better track where your money is going so you may spend less and save more.

4. Pay down debt

If you have some form of debt and want to make progress toward reducing your debt obligations, one option is the debt avalanche method, which focuses on paying off your debt with the highest interest rate first, then moving on to the debt with the next-highest interest rate. Another is the debt snowball method, which builds momentum by paying off your smallest debt balance, and then working your way up to the largest amounts. 

5. Build your financial resilience

Some financial stress may be inevitable, but building financial resilience may allow you to overcome obstacles more easily. The more you learn about managing your money, for instance, the more prepared you’ll feel if the unexpected happens. Growing your emergency savings also may increase resilience since you’ll be more financially prepared to cover unexpected expenses or pay your living expenses. 

The bottom line

Financial stress can affect your health and wellbeing, but it doesn’t have to derail your dreams. Setting smart financial goals and developing simple plans to achieve them may help ease your stress. Revisit and adjust your plan as needed to ensure it continues to work for you. 

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described on this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

Deposit products provided JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

 © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The post Financial Wellness and Mental Health: Tips on Managing Money Stress  appeared first on Montana Free Press.

This article is sponsored content produced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and presented by Montana Free Press. 

You’ve put in the late nights, the weekends and the hustle. And now, what started as an opportunity to make extra money has turned into an enterprise with real potential.

If you handle everything on your own – logistics, production, marketing, finances and everything in between – you’re part of a growing group of entrepreneurs nicknamed “solopreneurs.” While the image of a small business often includes an owner and a few employees, for many entrepreneurs, “solopreneurship” makes the most sense for their business model and goals.

If you’re considering the solopreneur life or have already launched your business, Jackson Black, a Business Relationship Manager in Montana, offers five helpful tips for you to grow your business in 2026.

1) Identify or solidify a business opportunity.

If you want to become a solopreneur or enhance your current offerings, look for a need in Montana or come up with an innovative idea. Maybe it’s a service that can help others or a product that could enhance or simplify their lives.

Once you have your big idea, careful planning and preparation can give your startup its best shot at becoming a success. That can include researching your industry’s trends to see if you’re meeting a niche or a growing need. Look for long-term demand and understand your total addressable market, not just seasonal or trendy success.

2) Make a business plan.

Start by writing or refining a business description to outline your goals and strategy. Your plan doesn’t have to be long, but it should outline your mission, goals, competitive analysis, marketing approach and financial forecasts.

If you’re already running a business, examine your customer base. Do you have repeat customers? Are they referring others to you? Side hustles that work have a steady and growing customer base. If yours does, it’s a positive sign your business may be ready for the next step.

3) Maximize savings to impact growth.

Many entrepreneurs use some personal savings to get their businesses started but also pursue business lines of credit or small business loans to fund equipment and marketing plans. No matter how you get started, prioritizing saving along the way will help secure the funds you need to get your business up and running. One powerful tool for solo entrepreneurs is the new Solo 401(k) from JPMorganChase. This plan is designed for business owners without full-time employees, apart from their spouse, and allows for high annual contributions — up to $72,000 for themselves and their spouse — with both pre-tax and Roth options.

The key is consistency. According to data from Chase, while Solo 401(k) accounts are a popular choice for self-employed business owners, 70% didn’t contribute in the past year. Building small, sustainable habits — such as setting up automatic monthly contributions or scheduling quarterly check-ins with a financial advisor — can strengthen follow-through. Over time, these simple actions add up, helping ensure Solo 401(k) accounts reach their full potential and deliver meaningful long-term results.

You could also look for additional financing from angel investors—wealthy individuals that can provide small investments, usually in the very early stages of a business. Angel investors accept more risk but want an ownership stake. Crowdfunding can also be beneficial for solopreneurs. With the right product and approach, you can raise small dollar amounts from a large pool of individual online backers with the bonus of connecting with your target customers early on.

4) Develop your marketing and brand strategy.

Define your brand voice and value proposition and choose the right marketing channels for growth. You might explore channels such as social media, email marketing or paid advertising. As you set a realistic marketing budget, consider the cost of tools, advertising and outsourced services like graphic design or content writing. Start small, measure results and scale what works.

You should also build a strong network to find mentors who can provide startup advice. Stay focused on your target audience so you can market to them effectively.

5) Plan for growth and operations.

The logistical side of entrepreneurship includes thinking about order fulfillment, customer service, project management and scheduling. Invest in the right tools to streamline daily operations, improve customer experience and save time.

A final note:  Self-employment comes with new tax responsibilities, including quarterly estimated taxes and self-employment tax. You may also need to collect and remit sales tax, depending on your industry—and you could have to pay sales tax in all the states where your goods or services are sold.

You may already be operating as a sole proprietor, but going full time could mean exploring a more formal business structure. While creating an LLC for your side hustle is common, consider which structure best supports your long-term goals and legal needs. Depending on your industry, you may need licenses, permits, insurance, contracts or compliance paperwork before you can legally or safely scale operations.

If you want more assistance in taking your solo business to the next level, your local financial institution has resources that can help. You can also reach out to a Chase business banker today for more information and advice.

This article is for Informational/Educational Purposes Only: The opinions expressed in this article may differ from the official policy or position of (or endorsement by) JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates. Opinions and strategies described may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendations for any individual or business. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

Deposit products provided JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender.

ABOUT EVERYDAY 401(k) BY J.P. MORGAN

Everyday 401(k) is a recordkeeping service available to customers. This service is provided by JPMorgan Invest Holdings, LLC (JPMIH). After enrolling in the service, customers are directed to J.P. Morgan Asset Management for investments. All investments made will be tracked by the recordkeeping service. This material has been prepared for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, investment, accounting, legal or tax advice. It is educational in nature and not designed to be a recommendation for any specific investment product, strategy, plan feature or other purposes. The information is shown for illustrative purposes only and is not intended as an offer or solicitation with respect to the purchase or sale of any security. Certain recordkeeping and related services for plans may be provided on behalf of JPMIH by Vestwell Holdings Inc. Vestwell Holdings Inc. provides various fiduciary and non-fiduciary services on its proprietary recordkeeping platform to support tax-qualified retirement plans. To learn more about Vestwell Holdings Inc. and its services, please visit vestwell.com. J.P. Morgan Asset Management is the brand name for the asset management business of JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates worldwide. If you are a person with a disability and need additional support in viewing the material, please call 1-800-343-1113 for assistance. Telephone calls and electronic communications may be monitored and/or recorded. Personal data will be collected, stored and processed by J.P. Morgan Asset Management in accordance with our privacy policies. Material ID 07392dc3-eca2-11f0-8416-5182a1487a0d

 © 2026 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The post 5 Tips for Montana’s ‘Solopreneurs’ to Grow Their Businesses in 2026 appeared first on Montana Free Press.

This article is sponsored content produced by JPMorgan Chase & Co. and presented by Montana Free Press. 

Budgeting can be a useful tool to help you reach your financial goals. A budget can help you keep track of your spending, avoid and get out of debt, limit overspending, pay bills on time and build savings habits.

Let’s explore how a budget can benefit you and how to build one:

1) Start with the basics. A budget helps you figure out how much money to set aside for regular expenses like rent, mortgage, bills, groceries and entertainment. As you’re planning your budget, think back to last year and identify any trends in your expenses and any unexpected costs that surprised or challenged you. Was there a particular expense that pressured your budget? Has your take home pay changed since last year? Are there new recurring bills for medical or education needs? Understanding your past financial habits can help you make the proper adjustments for this year’s budget.

2) Create your budget. This takes a few simple steps including calculating your take-home pay; gathering credit card and bank statements and receipts for the past few months; organizing expenses into categories, such as rent, groceries, and entertainment; and determining how much you spend in each category per month. Now that you’ve crunched the numbers and can see how much money is coming in and going out, you can start making your budget.

3) Don’t forget to save. Make a place in your budget for savings. You can set aside money from each take-home pay period and use some funds from holiday bonuses, cash gifts and tax returns toward saving as well.

4) Pay down debt. Your plan should also include a list of money you owe, including balances and interest rates. Evaluate your debt payoff goals against savings goals and prioritize the most critical ones. Any extra money you may receive can also go toward your debt payoff plan — paying off an additional bill or debt earlier than planned can help ease budget pressures.

5) Set some limits. Some expenses remain the same each month, like rent or mortgage payments, while others like groceries and entertainment are more flexible. Set spending limits for your flexible expenses, although you may plan for celebrations and treats so your budget doesn’t feel too restrictive.

6) Use budgeting tools to track spending. This can be as simple as using paper and pen to write down your income and spending categories, entering numbers in a computer spreadsheet or using budgeting apps — like Chase’s Budget feature in the mobile app and on chase.com – that are linked to your accounts.

7) Adjust as needed. Update your budget when your income or goals change. If you’re using tracking tools, you should know when you’re getting close to spending limits or if you have more money than expected.

8) Find ways to cut costs. Small recurring expenses go unnoticed, but they can add up. Scan your bank account and credit card statements for recurring charges and evaluate whether they are worth continuing.

Adjusting to a budget can take time, it’s about finding the right balance of spending and saving. You might discover some of your spending limits are too low, while others are higher than they need to be. You can always review your budget against your expenses and rethink how you’ve set it up.

Keep working at it – that’s the best way for your budget to be effective.

For more information, visit chase.com/personal/financial-goals/budget

The post 8 Basic Steps for Building a Budget appeared first on Montana Free Press.

It’s never too early to start having a conversation with your kids —  whether they’re in elementary school, high school, or college — about smart ways to navigate finances. Starting the conversation earlier on will help to create healthy money habits as they grow, ultimately benefiting their financial future. 

To help you get started, here are tips that make it easier for kids of all ages to learn how to save, budget and begin managing their finances more independently:

1. Start the conversation

It’s never too early to start talking about money in a realistic way so kids can understand how it’s used to support your lifestyle and help you achieve your goals and dreams. Begin the conversation in an age-appropriate way that highlights ideas, such as knowing the difference between needs and wants, saving for something special, and tracking the money you earn, as well as the money you spend. For example, young children can understand the idea of saving up money from their allowance or lemonade stand to buy something they want in the future.

2. Take notes and use tools

As your kids get older, explain the budgeting basics – even as simple as listing what you earn and what you spend, so you can ensure you won’t spend more than you have. Any leftover money is best put in savings first, then they can consider working toward items or experiences they might want to buy. There are many budgeting resources out there, so you can find the one that works for you, including budget worksheets to track spending.

3. Get organized and go digital

Financial confidence starts with getting organized. You can find easy-to-use budgeting tools that work for kids and parents both, with different levels of parental oversight and management suitable for different age groups. Whether it’s a first banking account, or an account geared towards a high school or college student, there are multiple options that can help students of various ages with firsthand digital transactions and account balances, assisting with budgeting and saving.

4. Plan for the future

According to Bankrate, 59% of Americans are uncomfortable with the amount of emergency savings they have, and 27% have no emergency fund at all. It’s important for kids of all ages to know that unexpected events in life can happen, so planning ahead may help reduce stress and better cope with whatever may occur. For this reason, building an emergency fund or saving for a rainy day is a crucial skill to learn. 

Your kids can start learning and practicing vital money skills now that will stay with them for life, as well as how to use financial tools so they will be able to stay on top of their finances and achieve their goals.

Learn more about all the options available to get your kids started on the right financial footing at chase.com/studentbanking.

For informational/educational purposes only: Views and strategies described in this article or provided via links may not be appropriate for everyone and are not intended as specific advice/recommendation for any business. Information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but JPMorgan Chase & Co. or its affiliates and/or subsidiaries do not warrant its completeness or accuracy. The material is not intended to provide legal, tax, or financial advice or to indicate the availability or suitability of any JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. product or service. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions and consult the appropriate professional(s). Outlooks and past performance are not guarantees of future results. JPMorgan Chase & Co. and its affiliates are not responsible for, and do not provide or endorse third party products, services, or other content.

Bank deposit accounts, such as checking and savings, are subject to approval. Deposit products provided by JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. Member FDIC. Equal Opportunity Lender. 

 © 2025 JPMorgan Chase & Co.

The post How to educate your kids now about creating long-lasting healthy money habits appeared first on Montana Free Press.