The Encounter's Podcast

What giving does (that saving can’t)

Saving builds security.

Giving builds perspective.

It reminds you:

* Money isn’t your identity

* You’re not defined by what you have

* You always have something to offer

And maybe most importantly:

Generosity creates joy that consumption never quite reaches.#Giving #FinancialLiteracy #MoneyHabits

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theencounter.substack.com

That number you’ve been avoiding?

It’s not bigger than you. And it’s not the end of your story.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theencounter.substack.com

We like to think we’re rational with money.

That we compare prices, make logical decisions, and only buy what we need.

But if you’ve ever bought something you didn’t plan to… something you didn’t even really want… and then immediately thought, Why did I do that? You already know the truth:

Spending is emotional.

Not occasionally. Not for “some people.”

For all of us.

And once you understand that, everything starts to make more sense.

Your Brain on Spending

Here’s what’s happening beneath the surface:

When you anticipate a purchase when you’re browsing, scrolling, or adding to cart, your brain releases dopamine. That same chemical tied to pleasure, reward, and motivation.

But here’s the twist: the anticipation often feels better than the actual purchase.

That little rush? It peaks before you even click “buy.”

Which is why the package arriving rarely feels as exciting as you imagined.

You weren’t just buying a thing.

You were chasing a feeling.

We Don’t Just Spend Money—We Regulate Emotions

Most spending isn’t about the item itself.

It’s about what’s going on inside us.

We spend when we’re

* Bored

* Stressed

* Lonely

* Overwhelmed

* Celebrating

* Avoiding something

Shopping becomes a coping mechanism. A quick, easy way to shift how we feel.

And it works… for a moment.

But only for a moment.

The Cycle That Keeps You Stuck

Here’s where it gets frustrating.

You spend to feel better.

Then comes the guilt.

Then the shame.

And what do we often do when we feel guilty or ashamed?

We look for something anything to feel better again.

So we spend.

Again.

That loop isn’t a lack of discipline.

It’s a pattern.

And patterns can be changed.

A Question Worth Sitting With

Think about the last purchase you regretted.

Not what you were thinking.

What were you feeling right before you bought it?

That feeling is the clue.

The Triggers Behind Your Spending

Once you start paying attention, you’ll notice that most impulse spending falls into a few familiar patterns.

Let’s walk through them.

1. Retail Therapy

This is the most obvious one.

You’ve had a hard day. You feel off. You open your phone “just to look.”

And suddenly, buying something small feels like relief.

It works because shopping gives you a sense of control when everything else feels chaotic.

But the relief fades quickly and often leaves stress or regret behind.

2. Social Comparison

You see someone’s vacation photos.

Their new car.

Their outfit.

Their life.

And without even realizing it, something shifts inside you.

You feel behind. Or less than. Or like you’re missing out.

So you spend not because you need something, but because you want to close the gap.

The problem?

You’re comparing your real life to someone else’s highlight reel.

And that’s a game you can’t win.

3. Scarcity and Urgency

“Only 3 left.”

“24-hour sale.”

“Last chance.”

These messages are designed to make you feel like if you don’t act now, you’ll miss out.

And your brain reacts accordingly with urgency.

But most of that scarcity is manufactured.

The deal will come back.

The pressure is the point.

4. Identity Spending

This one is subtle and powerful.

We don’t just buy things for who we are.

We buy for who we wish we were.

The person who works out regularly.

The person who reads more.

The person who has it all together.

So we buy the clothes. The books. The tools.

For a moment, it feels like we’ve become that person.

But identity doesn’t stick when it’s purchased instead of practiced.

5. Boredom Spending

Sometimes, it’s not deep.

You’re just bored.

Scrolling turns into browsing.

Browsing turns into buying.

Not because you needed anything, but because you needed stimulation.

It’s quick dopamine.

And it’s incredibly easy to access.

How to Start Rewiring Your Habits

The goal isn’t to never spend.

It’s to spend with awareness instead of impulse.

Here are a few simple ways to begin.

The 24-Hour Rule

For any non-essential purchase over a set amount, wait 24 hours.

Put it in your cart. Close the app. Walk away.

If you still want it tomorrow really want it then you can come back to it.

But most of the time?

You won’t even remember what it was.

Name the Emotion First

Before you spend, pause and ask:

What am I feeling right now?

Bored? Stressed? Lonely?

When you name the emotion, you create a gap between the feeling and the action.

And in that gap, you get to choose something different.

Call a friend.

Go for a walk.

Write it out.

Do anything that actually addresses the feeling not just distracts from it.

Reduce the Noise

A lot of spending starts with what you see.

So change what you see.

Unsubscribe from marketing emails.

Delete shopping apps.

Unfollow accounts that make you feel like you’re constantly behind.

You can’t buy what isn’t in front of you.

Keep a “Want List”

Instead of buying something right away, write it down.

Add the date.

Wait 30 days.

Then come back to it.

Most of the time, the urgency will be gone and so will the desire.

Give Yourself Permission to Spend

This might sound counterintuitive.

But restriction often leads to bingeing.

So build a small “fun money” category into your budget.

Money you can spend freely.

No guilt. No overthinking.

A little freedom goes a long way in preventing bigger mistakes.

A Different Way to Think About Money

Here’s where this goes deeper than habits.

Your spending reflects what you value.

Not perfectly but consistently.

There’s a verse that says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

That’s not meant to shame you.

It’s meant to help you pay attention.

If your spending feels anxious, compulsive, or driven by comparison, that’s not just a money issue.

It’s a signal.

Because culture tells us we become valuable by what we own.

But faith tells a different story.

Your worth isn’t something you build through purchases.

It’s something you’ve already been given.

And contentment?

That’s not something you stumble into.

It’s something you practice.

Slowly.

Imperfectly.

With grace.

If there’s one thing to take away, it’s this:

You’re not bad with money.

You’re human.

And once you understand the emotional side of spending, you can start making changes that actually stick.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theencounter.substack.com

Sticking to a budget isn’t about restrictions; it’s about freedom.

On this week’s podcast episode, we’re breaking down the exact budgeting framework that will help you save more, spend smarter, and stop stressing about every transaction.

If you’ve ever said, “I’ll start budgeting next month," this is your sign to hit play.

Join the conversation below:

What’s your biggest money struggle right now? Overspending on eating out? Forgetting to pay your bills and getting hit with a late charge? Let me know below.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theencounter.substack.com

Money is one of the most talked-about things we never actually talk about. We scroll past budgeting apps, avoid opening our banking app, and quietly wonder why everyone else seems to have it all together. Sound familiar?

That tension, the avoidance, the anxiety, and the gap between where we are and where we want to be are exactly why I started The Encounter.

“Money is simply a tool. It’s not a goal. We’re here to use it as a tool for freedom, peace, and generosity.”

A little about me

My name is Gwyneth. I’m not a financial guru. I’m a fellow traveler. I’m currently studying business and commerce, about three semesters away from my bachelor’s degree. I’ve opened two businesses over the past decade, closed them down, and completely relocated my life to another country, all using the principles I’ll be sharing right here.

You can also find me on YouTube at Encouraging Encounters, where I dive into faith, spirituality, lifestyle, and finances. This podcast is an extension of that conversation just a little more focused on the money piece.

Why this podcast exists

Money can be the number one stressor for young adults. And it doesn’t just sit in a corner; it touches everything. Faith. Relationships. Mental health. Yet most financial advice out there either talks down to you or skips past the emotional reality of where most of us actually are.

The Encounter is built on a different philosophy. We’re not chasing wealth for wealth’s sake. We’re not about hustle culture or get-rich-quick schemes. We’re about wisdom over hustle and sustainable choices that align with your values, whether you’re religious or simply values-driven.

What to expect

Each episode will explore a different dimension of financial life, built around four pillars: foundations, stewardship, life stages, and mindset & strategy.

Expect solo episodes, interviews, and Q&A sessions because I genuinely want to hear from you. Real questions. Real dilemmas. Real life.

New episodes drop every other Wednesday. Up next: I’m breaking down a budgeting method that actually works for people who hate budgeting. Plus, I’ll share how I started my emergency fund, my business fund, my dream fund, whatever we end up calling it, with just an idea and watched it unfold from there.

“You’re not behind. You don’t have to figure out everything overnight. One step at a time.”

My job here isn’t to have all the answers. It’s to plant a seed, something that resonates, something you hadn’t considered before you pressed play and let it grow in your life over time.

Want to be part of the conversation?

Submit your questions via TikTok, Instagram, email, or in the YouTube comments. I want to answer questions from real listeners with real dilemmas.

Follow the podcast, leave a rating, and share this with a friend who’s stressed about money. They need this too.

— Gwyneth, The Encounter

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit theencounter.substack.com