In this Halloween-themed episode of Stuff About Money They Didn’t Teach You in School, host Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™ is joined by Dr. Matt Morris and first-time guest Stephanie Osborn for a fun and insightful conversation about fear, especially the fear of money. The trio starts by sharing their thoughts on scary movies (and why Erik can’t stand them) and explores some New Orleans lingo about what it really means to call someone “scary.” From there, they draw parallels between the things that spook us on screen, and the real-life anxieties people feel around money.

As the discussion unfolds, they unpack why money can be so intimidating and how fear often leads to poor, or no financial decisions at all. The group explores the antidote to financial fear: identifying what’s truly important to you, Erik’s first pillar of financial security. Matt shares personal stories about how that focus has helped him overcome financial stress, while Erik and Stephanie offer practical strategies like setting small goals, celebrating wins, and building fierce accountability. Tune in for a lighthearted, meaningful conversation that’ll leave you a little less afraid of your finances—and maybe a little more ready to face your own money monsters.

Episode Highlights:

Erik kicks off the episode by sharing his fear of scary movies and how “scary” means something different in New Orleans. (03:38)

Matt recalls childhood memories of terrifying films like Children of the Corn and Blair Witch Project, explaining why uncertainty makes horror so effective. (04:57)

Stephanie admits she used to love scary movies but can’t handle them anymore, naming Scream as her favorite from the ’90s. (05:48)

Erik transitions the conversation to the episode’s main topic about how money can be just as scary as horror movies and introduces Stephanie as a first-time guest. (08:00)

Matt explains how financial anxiety often stems from the unknown, similar to fear in horror films, and why some people hide from their finances. (09:00)

Stephanie cites statistics about Americans feeling anxious and stressed about money, and Matt discusses how confidence and financial literacy help reduce fear. (10:00)

Erik and Matt break down three major financial fears: not having enough, fear of debt, and fear of the unknown. (24:00)

Matt shares how fear can lead to poor or avoidant financial decisions and explains the importance of awareness and communication in relationships. (27:00)

Erik introduces “knowing what’s important to you” as the antidote to financial fear and anxiety, connecting values to practical money habits. (36:00)

Matt offers personal examples of aligning money with values, like saving for family travel and using insurance for peace of mind. (39:00)

Stephanie adds that identifying where fear comes from and checking in regularly can help manage anxiety and prevent “fear paralysis.” (51:00)

Erik concludes by encouraging listeners to identify what matters most, create action steps, and check in consistently to keep fear from controlling their finances. (56:00)

Key Quotes:

“None of us want to be fear driven. We don't want to make decisions just based out of fear. Our fears are frequently misaligned with reality.” - Dr. Matt Morris

“I feel like people with money are always concerned about money, and people without money are always concerned about money. They always want to have more or they fear that they don't have enough.” - Stephanie Osborn

“When you stop long enough to determine what’s most important to you, you can start making conscious decisions to align your money with those things.” - Erik Garcia, CFP®, ChFC®, BFA™

Resources Mentioned:

Dr. Matt Morris

Matt Morris & Associates

Stephanie Osborn

Erik Garcia, CFP®, BFA

Xavier Angel, CFP®, ChFC, CLTC

Plan Wisely Wealth Advisors