Money Feels

In this episode of Money Feels, we’re talking about something most of us don’t think twice about: comfort. Not the kind that refills you, but the kind that numbs you. The scroll, the “I’ll just order it,” the “I’ll decide later.” Somewhere along the way, we stopped using comfort to recover and started using it to escape, and we’ve built a whole world that makes escaping very, very easy.

Alyssa and Bridget dig into the psychology of why we run from discomfort, what that avoidance costs us (financially and otherwise), and who steps in to make our choices when we stop making them ourselves. 

In today’s episode, we discuss:

• The study where people chose to shock themselves rather than sit alone with their thoughts
• The difference between restorative comfort and avoidant comfort, and how to tell which one you’re reaching for
• Experiential avoidance, a concept from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and why the strategy we use to feel better can keep us stuck
• Who’s making your choices when you avoid the discomfort of deciding
• Why anticipation is part of the joy, and what we lose when everything arrives tomorrow
• The difference between people choosing convenience to survive and systems that profit from keeping us too tired to choose
• Small, doable ways to choose meaningful discomfort this week

Resources mentioned:

• Wilson et al., “Just think: The challenges of the disengaged mind,” Science (2014): https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1250830

Thanks for listening to another episode! For bonus episodes and more, join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time!

In this episode of Money Feels, we talk about something that's deeply personal and also big business: fertility, IVF and egg freezing. Having a baby is expensive no matter how you do it, and this way costs even more. A lot extra.

Alyssa and Bridget look at the IVF industry through a money lens: the real costs, the odds most people don't hear about, and why "I'll do whatever it takes" is the most expensive sentence in fertility care. They also take on egg freezing as a corporate perk, and why "empowering" might be the wrong word for it.

This one comes from a place of care, not judgment. If you're going through IVF or have experienced pregnancy loss, please look after yourself, and feel free to skip this one and tune in next week.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• How IVF actually works, step by step, and why there are fees at every stage
• The real odds of a live birth by age, and why they're so rarely talked about
• The Cut article: 11 rounds of IVF, $250,000 and no baby
• Why longing is never where anyone makes a clear money decision
• Add-ons, experimental treatments and clinics with no age cut-off
• What would happen if a financial product had IVF's odds
• Why egg freezing as a workplace perk is really an investment in not paying for maternity leave
• Egg freezing as "buying an option"
• Universal child care and fully paid parental leave 
• What repeated loss does to your relationships
• Public funding for IVF in Canada 

Thanks for listening to another episode! For bonus episodes and more, join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we're kicking off season 10 by saying something that doesn't often get said out loud: the middle class might be the loneliest group in society. Not in a "cry me a river, it must be so hard to be comfortable" way. In a structural way. When we eradicated middle-class wealth, we also got rid of middle-class community.

Alyssa and Bridget break down who the middle class actually is in Canada, why so many people in it feel stuck between "too rich for a potluck" and "can't afford a private chef," and why there's no shared rule book for how to show up for each other. 

This one is equal parts economics and feelings. Because small talk is what leads to big talk.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• How Statistics Canada defines the middle class
• What the K-shaped economy is 
• Why a middle-class income doesn't buy the life it did 30, 40 or 50 years ago
• The gap between the "average Canadian" 
• How lower-income communities survive through interdependence while wealthy families outsource everything, therapy included
• Why the middle class has no shared code for asking for help
• Self-actualization vs. status anxiety
• Whether "you don't owe anyone anything" is a personal value or a survival mechanism
• The neighbourhood coffee morning experiment, and why gratitude isn't the same as reciprocity
• Why building community starts with a low-stakes first move

Video mentioned: @lynn.allure on TikTok

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we break down the thing that makes most people's eyes glaze over: Canadian taxes. And actually make it make sense. Not just the numbers, but the feelings. The confusion, the resentment, the sneaking suspicion that you're being robbed. We're going there.

Alyssa and Bridget walk through every layer of the Canadian tax system, from federal income tax all the way down to the municipal mill rate, and tackle two of the most misunderstood — and politically charged — conversations happening in Canada right now: the myth that Canadians pay over 50% in taxes, and what Alberta separation would actually mean for your wallet.

This one is equal parts financial education and myth-busting. Because you deserve accurate information, not social media math.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• What a progressive tax system actually means 
• The four layers of Canadian taxation: federal, provincial, municipal, and GST/HST 
• Why CPP and EI deductions aren't money disappearing
• How Alberta compares to other provinces
• The truth behind the "Canadians pay over 50% in taxes" claim
• Why GST hits lower-income earners harder
• What Alberta separation would actually mean
• The credits and deductions most people leave on the table without realizing it
• How to look at your own pay stub and actually understand where every dollar is going

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore what AI actually is, and why it doesn't just change what technology can do… it can change how society functions, who holds power, and what the future of human work and life might look like.

Bridget sits down with Timo Ewalds, former Google DeepMind AI researcher and founder of Nexopia, to cut through the hype and fear around artificial intelligence. 

This conversation goes far beyond "AI is coming for your job." It's about how artificial intelligence intersects with consciousness, ethics, economics, and the environment — and why understanding it matters whether you're a tech insider or just someone trying to make sense of the world changing around you.

In today's episode, we discuss:

• What AI actually is and why the definition matters more than most people think
• The difference between AI, AGI, and ASI, and where we actually are on that spectrum
• Why is sentience and consciousness so hard to define, even for researchers
• How AI capabilities are growing exponentially and why that pace is difficult to comprehend
• The societal implications of handing more decision-making power to machines
• Why AI benefits individuals and society in very different, sometimes conflicting, ways
• The environmental cost of data centers and AI infrastructure that rarely gets talked about
• How job displacement from AI could reshape entire economies
• Whether Universal Basic Income could be a realistic response to widespread automation
• Why even experts at the frontier of AI disagree about where it's all heading

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore what extreme wealth does to the human brain — and why money doesn’t just change what people can buy… it can change how people see themselves, others, and the world around them.

We unpack the psychology behind wealth, power, empathy, entitlement, and social disconnection, and discuss why the ultra-wealthy often begin to operate in completely different emotional and social realities than everyone else. We also explore how wealth can distort risk perception, reduce sensitivity to others’ suffering, and create environments where people slowly lose touch with everyday life.

This conversation goes far beyond “rich people are out of touch.” It’s about how money impacts the nervous system, identity, relationships, and even morality — and why capitalism often rewards traits like detachment, dominance, and self-interest.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

•  How extreme wealth can psychologically distance people from others 
•  The relationship between wealth, empathy, and entitlement 
•  Why money changes risk-taking behaviour and decision-making 
•  The “bubble effect” of wealth — and how rich people can slowly lose touch with everyday reality 
•  Why some wealthy people genuinely believe they earned everything entirely on their own 
•  The connection between power, status, and reduced emotional attunement 
•  How capitalism rewards individualism, competition, and self-interest 
•  Why wealth often creates insulation from consequences, discomfort, and vulnerability 
•  The psychological difference between financial security and extreme accumulation 
•  Why people with more money are not necessarily happier, calmer, or more connected 
•  How shame, superiority, and fear can all coexist within wealth 
•  Why many people simultaneously resent, idolize, and aspire toward extreme wealth 

Referenced in this episode:

• What Does Extreme Wealth Do to the Brain? (New York Magazine): https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/what-does-extreme-wealth-do-to-the-brain.html
• Speaking of Psychology: The psychology of wealth, empathy, and entitlement, with Paul Piff, PhD: https://www.apa.org/news/podcasts/speaking-of-psychology/wealth-empathy

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality behind shifting relationship dynamics — and why the traditional “trophy wife” model is quietly disappearing.

We unpack new data showing that wealthy men are no longer more likely to partner with significantly younger women, and what that reveals about money, power, desire, and changing gender roles. We also dive into the so-called “male loneliness epidemic,” and ask a deeper question: is this about rejection… or is it about the loss of a system where men were once centred and needed?

This conversation goes beyond dating trends. It’s about what happens when women gain financial independence, relationships become less transactional, and people are forced to confront who they are outside of roles like provider, caretaker, or “the one who gets chosen.”

In today’s episode, we discuss:

•  Why the “trophy wife” dynamic is declining and what the data shows 
•  How women earning more is reshaping partner selection 
•  The difference between being needed vs desired in relationships 
•  Why high-earning women are not simply “reversing the script” 
•  How education, social circles, and opportunity influence partners
•  The connection between this data and the “male loneliness epidemic” 
•  Why loneliness may be more about friendship, identity, and emotional development than dating alone 
•  The decentering of men — what it means, and why it feels so uncomfortable for some people 
•  How capitalism shaped masculinity around provision, and what happens when that’s no longer enough 
•  The psychology of desire — and how many women were never taught they were allowed to have preferences 

Referenced in this episode:

•  Trophy wives are out of fashion (The Economist)
   https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2026/03/10/trophy-wives-are-out-of-fashion?utm_medium=cpc.adword.pd&utm_source=google&ppccampaignID=18798097116&ppcadID=&utm_campaign=a.22brand_pmax&utm_content=conversion.direct-response.anonymous&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=18804755252&gbraid=0AAAAADBuq3LGsPBoeDKxz77EFwF0dD2q0
  
  
•  Archived version of the article (if paywalled)
   https://archive.ph/xMZl3#selection-3095.0-3105.1
  
  
•  Instagram post referenced in discussion
   https://www.instagram.com/p/DXMz0zuFJRb/?igsh=cm4xYXNvcGswZDQ3

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, we explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of financial nihilism — and why so many people today feel disconnected from traditional money advice, long-term planning, and the promise that “doing everything right” will pay off.

We unpack what financial nihilism actually is, why younger generations are increasingly saying “what’s the point?”, and how rising costs, housing inaccessibility, stagnant wages, burnout, and social media distortion have created a perfect storm of distrust around money. We also talk about the emotional toll of being “fine on paper” while feeling anxious underneath, and why reckless spending, over-saving, doom spending, or checking out financially may all stem from the same root issue: uncertainty.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

•  What financial nihilism is — and why it’s more common than people think 
•  Why many people no longer trust traditional financial milestones like homeownership, retirement, or slow wealth-building 
•  How high housing costs, stagnant wages, debt, and economic instability are shaping money beliefs 
•  Why some people respond with risky behaviour (crypto, sports betting, speculation) while others respond with hyper-control (over-saving, chronic anxiety, fear of spending) 
•  The psychology of “if the future feels broken, the present gets expensive” 
•  How financial nihilism can show up even when someone has a stable income, savings, or looks successful on paper 
•  The antidote to financial nihilism

Referenced in this episode:

• Wubba Lubba Done With Money: The Absurdity of Financial Nihilism (Medium) 
• Financial Nihilism research article (Taylor & Francis, 2025) 
•  Philosophical perspectives on nihilism and meaning (PhilArchive) 
• World Economic Forum article: Gen Z, Financial Nihilism & The Great Wealth Transfer
• Yahoo Finance report on the rise of financial nihilism among younger generations

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial reality of Coast FIRE, and why this middle ground might actually be the version of financial freedom more people are craving.

We unpack what it means to “coast” financially, to build enough early on that your future is taken care of, without sacrificing your entire present to get there. We talk about the tension between security and freedom, the pressure to optimize your money, and why stepping off the gas can feel both relieving… and deeply uncomfortable.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

• What Coast FIRE actually is (and how it’s different from traditional FIRE)
• Who Coast FIRE is for — and who it might not work for
• What counts as an “asset” when you’re calculating your Coast FIRE number
• How to actually do Coast FIRE (without becoming obsessed with the math)
• What it means for you financially once you hit that “coast” point
• The emotional shift from accumulation to maintenance
• The freedom Coast FIRE can offer — and why it can feel scary to trust it
• Why this might be the most realistic first step on your journey to FIRE

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time! 

We are living in a time where extreme frugality is being celebrated as discipline. Sleeping on child-sized beds, using things until they fall apart, refusing small comforts, all framed as virtue. And while frugality itself is thoughtful and often wise, there’s a point where saving stops being a value and starts becoming a fear.

In this episode of Money Feels, Alyssa and Bridget explore the emotional, psychological, and financial realities of extreme frugality, and why saving money can sometimes become less about intention and more about safety, control, and identity.

In today’s episode, we discuss:

• What extreme frugality actually is (and isn’t)
•  Why frugality itself is neutral — but extreme frugality becomes identity
•  When saving stops being about values and starts being about control
•  Common signs of extreme frugality in everyday life
•  Why extreme frugality often comes from scarcity — even years later
•  How childhood experiences shape comfort with spending
•  Why saving soothes the nervous system and spending can feel threatening
•  Why logic and spreadsheets don’t always change behaviour
•  The hidden emotional costs of chronic deprivation
•  How extreme frugality can flatten joy and create shame around desire

Thanks for listening to another episode! If you want bonus episodes and more, you can join our Patreon! Until then, follow us on Instagram @mixedupmoney, @bridgiecasey and @moneyfeelspodcast, and we’ll see you next time!