<![CDATA[The Indonesian economy is currently grappling with several pervasive economic challenges, including elevated levels of unemployment, poverty, price instability, profit margins, inflation, debt accumulation, economic system dysfunction, political economy influences, and inadequate welfare measures. This study aims to examine the impact of financial stress and budget management on individuals' financial behaviors in West Binjai, with a focus on the mediating role of social support. The impetus for this research stems from the observation of three interrelated phenomena: first, a pervasive lack of public awareness regarding effective financial management; second, the prevalence of financial stress among the general population; and third, the dearth of social support systems in decision-making processes concerning financial matters. The present research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing a causal associative method. The data utilized in this study is of a primary nature, having been collected through the distribution of questionnaires to a sample of 100 respondents. This sample was drawn from a larger population of 53,186 individuals using a simple random sampling technique. The data analysis employed structural equation modeling (SEM) techniques, leveraging the SmartPLS software for implementation. This approach enables the investigation of complex relationships and interactions within the data, providing a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter. In addition to primary data, this study employs secondary data, which is derived from books and previous research. The findings indicated that financial stress and budget management exerted a substantial influence on financial behavior, both directly and through the mediating role of social support. Social support has been demonstrated to amplify the impact of these two variables on financial behavior. This study offers two sets of implications. Firstly, it provides theoretical implications for the development of financial management literature. Secondly, it provides practical implications for the community and local government in improving financial literacy and welfare. Keywords: Financial Stress, Budget Management, Financial Behavior, Social Support]]>
