Every year, people spend nearly $200 billion on video games: that's more than sports and movies combined.

Clearly, we're into having fun and playing games. But here's a question: What if we take games out of the fantasy world and put them in the real one? What if we could make doing things like managing our money more of a game and less of a chore? In short, what if we could make money management fun?

That's what we're going to talk about today. Stacy Johnson and financial journalist Miranda Marquit are joined by producer and novice investor Aaron Freeman. Today's special guest is Emily Guy Birken, co-author of Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management and End Financial Stress Now. She's going to take us through what we need to know about making money fun.

Remember, even though we sometimes talk about specific investments on this show, don't take them as recommendations because they're not. Before investing in anything, do your research, and make your own decisions.

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and  The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial  Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money  Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

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How to make money management more fun

If you're hoping to get on top of your budget — or at least put together a spending plan, we've got tips for you in the second part of our podcast episode. We talk about what makes it fun. Or at least how to trick yourself into thinking it's fun.

• Gamification: can video games change our money habits?
• Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you create a budget.
• Looking to get more from your money? Here are five apps that can help you change how you interact with money.
• Our look at consumption smoothing and how it contributes to happiness.
• Check out Emily's appearance on the Journey to Launch podcast about how to have a fun relationship with money.
• Want to improve your finances? We have ideas for outsmarting your brain and making your money management better.

More Links

• Are you just lazy? Check out our podcast episode on how to take care of your money management — the lazy way.
• When you're on an irregular income, money management can be rough. Here's a look at how to make it easier when your income isn't stable.
• Miranda has an article about setting money goals that enrich your life.
• Worried about your finances? Our guest, Emily, has a great article on the power of hope when it comes to your money.
• Money is linked to mental health.
• Budgets don't work for everyone, but that doesn't have to stop you.

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