Finerate

Are you "bad with money," or are you just exhausted?

If your brain feels like a browser with 100 tabs open, you are likely carrying a heavy mental load. While we often talk about mental load regarding chores or parenting, there is a Financial Mental Load, the invisible worry, planning, and remembering, that is silently sabotaging your bank account.

In this episode, we explore why burnout is not just an emotional issue; it is a financial one. We break down why smart, capable professionals struggle to stick to a budget and how decision fatigue leads to expensive impulse buys and "convenience costs."

In this episode, you will learn:

• The "Bandwidth Tax": Why having a full to-do list literally lowers your financial IQ and leads to poor money decisions.
• The "Ostrich Effect": Why we ignore our bank accounts when we are stressed and how to break the cycle of avoidance.
• Revenge Bedtime Procrastination: The psychology behind why we stay up late shopping online to regain a sense of control.
• The "Financial Uniform": How to reduce decision fatigue by standardizing your money choices.
• Systems Over Willpower: Tools to automate your finances so they work even when you are running on empty.

Stop beating yourself up for being tired. Tune in to learn how to lower your mental load and build a financial system that supports you, rather than drains you.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, share, or leave a review to help others discover tools for financial growth and emotional well-being. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

It's our favorite tradition of the year! In this special holiday episode, we step away from the spreadsheets and stock charts to focus on the "mental game" of money: Gratitude.

We believe that an Abundance Mindset is critical for financial success. When you appreciate what you have, you make better spending decisions, feel less financial stress, and build wealth from a place of confidence rather than fear.

Today, we are reading anonymous messages from our listeners, friends, and family sharing their wins, reflections, and moments of thanks from 2025. From big financial milestones to the quiet moments that matter most, these stories define what it truly means to be wealthy.

In this episode, we celebrate:

• Real-life stories of resilience and growth from the Creating Wealth community.

• A list of questions that help you incorporate the process of gratitude into your life.

• Why reflection is the most important step in year-end financial planning.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, share, or leave a review to help others discover tools for financial growth and emotional well-being. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

Don't let your emotions and 'mental shortcuts' sabotage your financial future. This is the essential deep-dive into the Invisible Costs of Cognitive Biases and the behavioral finance secrets that cost millennials thousands in lost savings and poor investing decisions.

If you know the basics of personal finance but still struggle with execution, this episode is for you. We move beyond "Behavioral Finance 101" to uncover the sneaky biases that drain your net worth without you realizing it.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Restraint Bias: Why relying on "willpower" is the most expensive financial strategy you have, and how to fix it.
• How the power of inertia (Status Quo Bias) is costing you
• How Recency Bias and Social Proof are destroying long-term asset allocation and distorting your sense of "enough."
• Mental Accounting: How 'bucketing' affects your total wealth-building.
• The Anti-Bias Toolkit: Actionable defense mechanisms like the Ulysses Contract, Friction Design, and automating your finances to defeat Decision Fatigue.

Your financial plan is only as strong as your psychology. Tune in and learn how to recognize and neutralize these unconscious errors to make clearer, more grounded money decisions starting today.

Special Note: It's that time of year again! We are about to record our annual gratitude episode which we've done every year since we began the podcast, and we need YOUR messages. We find it's a wonderful way to end the year and remind ourselves of what truly matters. If you've never submitted a message before, we highly encourage you to send us one this year. If you've submitted one in the past, we'd love to hear an update on how your last year has gone. You can send them to us on our social media, by PMing Anastasia or by emailing us at [email protected]. Please submit them as soon as possible – by Friday December 12th. We can't wait to hear from you!

PM Anastasia on LinkedIn

Related Episodes:

Behavioral Finance 101

How to Manage Your 401(k)

5 Ways to Limit Lifestyle Creep

Artificial intelligence is evolving at lightning speed, but how do you separate innovation from the hype? And what does any of this mean for your daily life, your privacy, and your investment decisions?

In this episode, we break down the biggest AI breakthroughs since our last update and explore how everyday people can use chatbots without feeling overwhelmed. We cover simple AI use cases, the strategies that make AI far more powerful, and the biggest risks to watch out for when using AI casually, especially around privacy and financial tools.

We also dig into the headlines about AI stocks, sky-high valuations, and whether we're entering bubble territory…or just seeing noise. You'll learn what's trustworthy, what's exaggerated, and how to stay grounded when markets get loud.

We discuss:

The most important AI breakthroughs since our last update:

-AI's current "superpower"

-Practical ways to use chatbots in daily life

-Frameworks for going beyond basic prompts

-The biggest risks of using AI casually (and how to avoid them)

-How to tell whether AI-powered financial tools are trustworthy

-What to know about privacy when using chatbots or AI assistants

-Whether AI stocks are entering bubble territory: what's valid and what's noise

If you're curious about using AI to improve your life and want to understand today's market environment, this episode will ground you in what matters most.

For questions, comments, or feedback, email us at [email protected]. Be sure to subscribe and leave a review to stay updated on future episodes.

Related Episodes

May 2025 AI Update, Part One

May 2025 AI Update, Part Two

2024 - Navigating the AI Revolution: Insights for Investors and Workers, Part One

2024 - Navigating the AI Revolution: Insights for Investors and Workers, Part Two

2023 - Are You Prepared for the AI Revolution?

What if the biggest barrier to financial success isn't your income, but your mindset?

In this episode, we sit down with John Longhill, a certified NeuroChange Solutions consultant who teaches Dr. Joe Dispenza's Change Your Mind – Create New Results program. John helps people understand the neuroscience behind their thoughts, how past experiences and subconscious patterns shape their financial behaviors, and how to rewire the brain for confidence, clarity, and abundance.

We explore how to break free from scarcity thinking, overcome limiting beliefs about money, and create lasting change through intentional mindset shifts. Whether you've struggled with fear of not having enough, guilt about spending, or constant financial comparison, this conversation will help you take steps toward a healthier, more empowered relationship with money.

In this episode, you'll learn:

-What it really means to "change your mind" (and why it matters)

-The neuroscience behind scarcity vs. abundance thinking

-How to retrain your brain for success and financial confidence

-Simple, science-backed strategies to sustain mindset shifts long-term

If you're ready to stop feeling stuck and start thinking differently about your potential, this episode is for you.

Listen now and don't forget to subscribe, share, or leave a review to help others discover tools for financial growth and emotional well-being. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

Resources:

Contact John Longhill

The U.S. national debt has surged to record highs, crossing $38 trillion and counting. What does that really mean for the U.S. economy and our financial future? In this episode, we revisit the topic of America's debt since our discussions in 2020 and 2023 and explore how we got here, what potential solutions exist, and most importantly, what you can do about it.

You'll come away with a clear understanding of how America's debt story impacts your own financial picture, and one simple takeaway you can apply today.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

Related episodes:

Why Social Security Matters for Millennials and Gen Z

How Rising U.S. Debt Affects You - 2023 episode

National Debt - 2020 episode

Science of Well-Being episode, part one

Science of Well-Being episode, part two

The Psychology of Spending: What Actually Makes Us Happier?

Alternative investments (also known as "alts") are gaining traction with investors who want to go beyond the traditional 60/40 portfolio. But what exactly are they? And are they a good fit for your financial goals?

In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about alternative investments. We'll explain what qualifies as an alt, how they differ from stocks and bonds, and why they've become more popular and accessible in recent years. You'll also learn about different types of alts, from real estate and private equity to cryptocurrencies and collectibles, and the potential benefits and risks of adding them to your portfolio.

We'll walk through:

• What counts as an alternative investment
• How alts are different from traditional assets
• Real estate, hedge funds, private equity, crypto, collectibles, and more
• Why some investors use alts to hedge against inflation and diversify
• Risks to watch out for: liquidity, fees, complexity, and lock-up periods
• Who alts are best suited for, and what questions to ask before investing

If you're curious about alts, this episode will help you make smarter, more informed decisions.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

In this episode, we sit down with Jenny Groberg, founder and CEO of BookSmarts Accounting, to talk about what it really means to feel confident with your finances. Jenny brings both strategic know-how and real-life perspective as a CEO, financial educator, and mom of five.

We discuss how personal and business finances differ (and why it matters), how AI is transforming bookkeeping and accounting, and what financial habits truly build long-term success. Jenny also shares empowering advice for women and younger professionals who want to feel more in control of their money, plus one common financial myth she wishes everyone would leave behind.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

Are you still helping your adult children financially while also trying to plan for your own retirement? You're not alone. A recent AARP survey found that 75% of parents with adult children provide some financial support, often averaging more than $7,000 a year.

In this episode, we explore how today's financial landscape is shifting parenthood later into life and what that means for your long-term financial well-being.

We'll talk about:

• Why more parents are supporting adult kids longer
• What conversations you should be having with your children
• How to evaluate what's help and what's enabling
• What you should do if you are supporting your adult children financially
• How to foster financial independence

If you have adult children, will soon have adult children, or are someone receiving parental support yourself, this episode will help you understand balancing love with financial responsibility and long-term planning.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who could benefit. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].

Is America on the decline, and what does that mean for your financial future?

In this thought-provoking episode, we unpack key ideas from billionaire investor Ray Dalio's Principles for Dealing with The Changing World Order: Why Nations Succeed and Fail and explore how rising global powers, growing debt, and historical cycles could reshape the economy in the years ahead.

We break down the indicators Dalio uses to measure a nation's strength and examine how the U.S. stacks up today. We also explore what it means if the U.S. loses its reserve currency status, and how everyday investors can protect their wealth through diversification, hard assets, and financial resilience.

Whether you're curious about global economics or just want to better prepare for the future, this episode offers practical insights inspired by one of the world's most respected financial minds.

Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who wants to stay ahead of economic changes. For future podcast topics, you can email us at [email protected].