There are a few potential reasons why some people feel like saving money is stressful:

– It can feel restrictive. Saving requires making tradeoffs and limits discretionary spending. Some may feel stressed when they can’t indulge or enjoy certain luxuries.

– It takes discipline. Building savings requires monitoring expenses, sticking to a budget, and making consistent contributions. This kind of financial discipline can feel tedious or stressful over time.

– It surfaces financial scarcity. The act of saving highlights one’s limited financial resources. Confronting scarcity and financial constraints can provoke stress.

– It means making sacrifices. To increase savings, people often have to sacrifice small comforts like takeout coffee, dinners out, etc. These mini-sacrifices can provoke day-to-day stress.

– It feels like deprivation. Saving money requires saying no to some pleasures and conveniences. Some may perceive this abstinence as an unpleasant source of stress.

– It’s uncertain. Saving for distant goals like retirement feels uncertain. Will there be enough to meet the goal? This doubt can cause ongoing financial worries.

– It surfaces other anxieties. Money conflicts, fears about job security, feelings of low self-worth – saving shines a spotlight on these stresses.

In summary, saving requires tradeoffs and limitations that some people find stressful, especially when money is already tight. Setting realistic goals and focusing on long-term benefits helps ease the tension.