Episode 124 – Money and Meaning with Daniel Crosby

What is money really for?

In this episode of the Financial Wellbeing Podcast, Chris Budd is joined once again by behavioural finance expert and author Daniel Crosby to explore the deeper relationship between money, happiness, and meaning.

Daniel’s latest book, The Soul of Wealth, moves beyond traditional behavioural finance to ask how money can support a life that feels fulfilling, connected, and purposeful. Together, Chris and Daniel discuss comparison, gratitude, social influence, the role of luck, and why understanding people’s stories matters just as much as understanding their finances.

This is a thoughtful and wide ranging conversation about using money well, not just managing it efficiently.

Chris Budd – Founder of Ovation Finance, the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and author of the original Financial Wellbeing Books, you can view all three here

Fancy a chat with Tom Morris, Chartered and award winning Financial Planner at Ovation? Contact details here

Lighthearted money saving tips, guaranteed to make you smile and think twice about your spending habits.

The core conversation covers:

Reflecting on the key themes from the interview:

What if the secret to financial wellbeing isn’t just in what you earn or spend, but in how you think? In this episode the guys are looking to see if we can do anything to improve our thinking and thereby improve our wellbeing. Along with the usual TightAssTommo money saving tips we have a thoughtful episode just for you!

Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

Exploring the issue of thinking – is it something that just happens or do we have some control over it so we can improve our relationship with money and wellbeing?

Go and watch women’s sport, a great way to see quality sport at a fraction of the cost.

A new feature, do share your name ideas for future episodes in the comments below! This time, a sauna in Somerset that promotes social wellbeing.

How do we think, what gets in the way and how can we think better?

Thinking well begins with asking the right questions.

Try asking yourself:

One of our advisers describes this as “daring to dream.” It is the courage to ask honest questions, even when the answers might challenge the path you are on.

The right questions bring not confusion, but freedom.

A few simple shifts in perspective can make a big difference.

When your goals come from within, they lead to satisfaction that lasts.

Episode 122 – Money, Purpose and Community with Jonathan Ruffer

In this episode of The Financial Wellbeing Podcast, the guys explore how wealth, when used with purpose, can create extraordinary change. They’re joined by philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer, who shares the remarkable story of how he has devoted his resources to revitalising the town of Bishop Auckland. Along the way, we reflect on the dangers of money without meaning, the importance of community, and how finding purpose can enrich every stage of life – especially when approaching retirement.

Chris Budd – Founder of Ovation Finance, the Institute for Financial Wellbeing and author of the original Financial Wellbeing Books, you can view all three here

Fancy a chat with Tom Morris, Chartered and award winning Financial Planner at Ovation? Contact details here

Our chat with Jonathan Ruffer around how he has used his wealth in an extraordinary way through The Auckland Project, helping to transform the community of Bishop Auckland. Jonathan talks about purpose, education, community spirit, and the lessons learned from putting money to work for the benefit of others.

The Borrow Box app for free audio books from your library.

Always check eligibility for rail cards – two together for couples you can get 1/3rd off rail fair if you travel together

• How Jonathan became involved in Bishop Auckland and the vision behind The Auckland Project.
• Why wealth can be dangerous when it lacks direction or purpose. Reflections on how money can both distort and enrich lives, and why defining your own purpose is essential to financial wellbeing.
• Education and community engagement were central to Jonathan Ruffer’s vision for The Auckland Project. The role of education in creating long-term change.
• The importance of engaging local people in community transformation.

Avoid the deadly retirement

Come and speak to Ovation Finance, who want to talk with you about what you want your retirement to look like

Retirement often comes with baggage and many people don’t like the word. Producer Tommo often finds people don’t like being pushed into retirement but pulled towards something else.

Find Out More
The Auckland Project is a remarkable initiative bringing new life, education, and opportunity to the town of Bishop Auckland. From restoring historic landmarks to enriching local schools and building a stronger community spirit, it’s a shining example of how purpose and philanthropy can create lasting change. To discover more about their work and how you can plan your visit, come and take a look – www.theaucklandproject.org.

In this episode of The Financial Wellbeing Podcast, we’re lifting the lid on a tricky topic: financial infidelity. What does it really mean? How can it show up in everyday life? And most importantly – how can you spot it, talk about it, and navigate it with your partner?

Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

Exploring what financial infidelity means and how to avoid or navigate it.

Link to Episode 120 and our chat with Dr Megan McCoy

Featuring the #tightasstommo origin story, a mobile phone loyalty trick from Chris Hull and odd rail card options.

Come and get involved!

We want to hear your Messages From the Future. Record a short, 30-second message, sharing a decision you’re glad you made (or one you regret) to help others make better choices. Send your voice clips to [email protected] and join the conversation.

What “financial infidelity” can mean, how to define it

Everyday examples where it can happen

Chris’s personal story of family bankruptcy

Tom’s practical tip for guilt-free budgeting

Smart Divorce Podcast link

What ever the reason, hiding any aspect of your life from your partner is going to lead to issues in the relationship

• Arrange regular money dates with calm conversations
• Couples counselling
• Individual support
• Find support, such as The Brightside app / Surviving Economic Abuse

Episode 120 – Money Stories with Dr Megan McCoy

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Megan McCoy a financial therapist about money stories—the beliefs we form about money based on childhood, family, and past experiences.

A warm and insightful conversation about why we behave the way we do with money, and how understanding those patterns can lead to better financial wellbeing.

Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Have a listen to Episode 110 here.
Producer Tommo – Director and Chartered Financial Planner at the award winning, employee owned and B Corp certified Ovation Finance! Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

Producer Tommo – Director and Chartered Financial Planner at the award winning, employee owned and B Corp certified Ovation Finance! Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

A chat with Dr Megan McCoy, a financial therapist about the relationship between money and happiness – financial wellbeing from a therapist direction.

Featuring cheap meals, good wellbeing investments that wont save you money and free travel on your birthday.

Thank you to Rich Ellis for his suggestion – if you live in the West of England, check out the Birthday Bus website here.

Chris Budd and Dr Megan McCoy met at the Financial Therapy Association Conference in San Diego

What is Financial Therapy?

2008 Recession – therapists couldn’t help patients with financial related issues and financial advisers were seeing increased issues therapy could help with. There was a need to cross train and apply a holistic approach for someones individual and financial wellbeing.

How financial advisers can train around crisis help and increase their confidence in helping their clients.

Should financial advisers be approaching these areas?

We need to be there for the ‘human’ moment

How to spend money for happiness – from Elizabeth Dunn to Desmond Tutu

Realigning Expectations – we often have a single Money Story and stick with it.

Money Genogram – explore your family tree

Start by asking:

• What’s your earliest memory of money?
• Who managed the finances in your childhood home?
• How did your family talk about wealth, debt, or spending?
• What money behaviours do you still mimic – or reject?

Share stories around money with family, consider your perceptions and influences around your financial behaviours.

Common issues Dr Megan McCoy comes across;

• Financial Infidelity
• Estate Settlements
• Money Insecurity
• Blended Families

Fairness in finances

When to refer;

• emotionally upset in meetings
• not focussed on finances in meetings
• thinking about clients outside of meetings

Dr Megan McCoy is a Financial Therapist and Assistant Professor at Kansas State University. With over 10 years of experience in counseling and research Megan’s mission is to help people achieve financial freedom and happiness.

Megan’s first co-authored book “Financial Planning Counseling Skills” has just been released.

Want to know more – connect with Megan on LinkedIn

It’s taken us a while to get here, but we’re finally tackling that ever-mysterious (and often misunderstood) topic: investment management. But don’t worry—this isn’t a crash course in stock-picking or trying to “beat the market”. As always, we’re looking at money through the lens of wellbeing – whether you’re managing your own portfolio, working as a financial planner, or just curious about how investing can contribute to a greater sense of security and contentment – we have 7 practical and philosophical tips to help you manage your investments in a way that supports a happier, more fulfilling life.

Chris shares his recent experiences in Marrakesh

Exploring investment management from a financial wellbeing perspective

Featuring more from Marrakesh and special guest Rohan Sivajoti shares his supermarket yellow sticker finds.

• Why what you’re investing for matters more than what you’re investing in
• The real value of a financial plan—and why it should come before any investment decisions
• A powerful story about the cost of “more than enough”
• What a roast dinner has to do with taking too much risk!
• How to stop your investments from raising your heartbeat
• What “financial pornography” is and why you should ignore it
• And how one of Chris’s favourite psychological models (hello, Self-Determination Theory) can help you feel more confident and in control of your investment journey

1. Invest according to your objectives – Different goals need different investment pots. A holiday fund shouldn’t be in crypto.
2. Build your investments around a financial plan – Understanding “how much is enough” is key to knowing what you’re working towards.
3. Know how much risk you need to take – Not everyone needs to chase high returns.
4. Don’t invest in a way that raises your heartbeat – If it keeps you up at night, it’s not worth it.
5. Manage your emotional response to market fluctuations – Avoid panic (or euphoria) by staying focused on your long-term plan.
6. Set clear investment rules – Having a process gives you a sense of control, even in unpredictable markets.
7. Boost your knowledge—or get help – If you’re not confident, seek guidance from a financial planner (ideally one who also does cashflow forecasting!).

Come and get involved!

We want to hear your Messages From the Future. Record a short 30-second message sharing a decision you’re glad you made (or one you regret) to help others make better choices. Send your voice clips to [email protected]—and join the conversation.

Episode 118 – Kindness with Dennis Harhalakis

Money isn’t just about numbers – it’s about emotions, habits, and the way we treat ourselves and others. In this episode the guys welcome Dennis Harhalakis, an experienced money coach, to explore the connection between kindness and financial wellbeing. Of course we have another round of Tight Ass Tommo tips as ever. This episode is packed with wisdom, humour and practical takeaways to help you bring more kindness into your financial life. Hit play and let’s dive in!

Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look here
Producer Tommo – Director and Chartered Financial Planner at the award winning, employee owned and B Corp certified Ovation Finance! Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

Chris Budd – founder of the Institute for Financial Wellbeing. Gearing up to play at the 2025 IFW conference.

A chat with Dennis Harhalakis, exploring money coaching and kindness in connection with our finances.

Featuring some rather morally grey money saving tips around umbrellas and kids meals!

What is money coaching?

You can’t understand how to manage your money, until you understand your behaviour

Common things Dennis has seen when exploring finances with couples

Internal self worth is better for long-term wellbeing – so what bring internal self worth? Kindness!

• What is kindness?
• The importance of being kind to yourself
• How kindness is good for you
• Money and kindness

Why do those with more money often give less to charitable causes?

Compersion, the opposite of schadenfreude

Dennis Harhalakis has over 30 years experience in financial services. As a money coach he set up Cambridge Money Coaching – helping people understand and manage the money in their lives.

Want to know more – connect with Dennis on LinkedIn

Episode 117 – The End Of History Illusion

In this episode we’re diving into a fascinating psychological concept that influences the way we make decisions — The End of History Illusion, which in short, is the idea that people believe they have reached their final form and will not change much in the future. The guys explore how our personality, values, and needs continue to change throughout our lives—and why we often underestimate these changes. They’ll also discuss the effect this illusion has on our financial decisions, from planning for retirement to making career choices, and share practical ways to connect with your future self.

Oh, and don’t miss Tight-Ass Tommo’s latest round of quirky money-saving tips — they’re as entertaining as they are thrifty!

Learn about the fascinating psychological concept of The End of History Illusion and how it affects our decision-making. Discover why we assume we won’t change much in the future, even though our past tells a different story.

• Save your 2024 calendar to reuse in 2052!
• Meal prep—but don’t overload your freezer.
• Over 50? Stop warming your plates to save energy!

Why we get it wrong.
Why we underestimate how much we’ll change in the future—and how this impacts our finances.

How this impacts your finances.
From career paths to retirement plans, find out how our mistaken beliefs about the future can lead to financial regrets.

Practical tips for better decisions.
Hear strategies to connect with your future self and make smarter, more proactive choices today.

Come and get involved!

We want to hear your Messages From the Future. Record a short 30-second message sharing a decision you’re glad you made (or one you regret) to help others make better choices. Send your voice clips to [email protected]—and join the conversation.

Episode 116 – Behavioural Finance with Greg Davies

In today’s show, we have another fascinating conversation with Greg Davies, as he comes back to chat with us for a third time! Greg dives into the concept of behavioural vulnerabilities and the importance of anxiety-reducing returns when making money choices. He also shares insights on how we can identify and adapt to our behavioural traits to make better financial decisions. If you’ve enjoyed Greg’s previous appearances on the podcast, you won’t want to miss this insightful follow-up conversation. Let’s get started!

Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look here
Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here

We have another chat with Greg Davies, head of Behavioural Innovation at Oxford Risk – exploring how our behaviours effect our financial relationships.

Catch up on previous conversations with Greg Davies in Episode 25 – Behavioural Economics and Episode 38 – Keeping it Fuzzy

Chris’s tip – saving up for a big ticket item? Us mental accounting to help – set up a new account and give it a specific name related to what you are saving for. You are more likely to reach that savings goal!

#TATTOTW – As electric vehicles become more popular, Tom shares his tips for keeping costs down, including having a smart meter, going onto dual/evening tariffs and consideration around when you charge your car.

What has Greg been up to in between interviews on The Financial Wellbeing Podcast?

Working in applied behavioural finances – building ideas into technology to help people make better financial decisions.

How do we know what ‘better’ is?

We should be chasing anxiety reducing returns

What do we mean by Financial Personality?

We are bad at assessing our reaction to stressful situations when we are not in stressful situations!

Attitudes to risk

Behavioural vulnerability

There is no right place to be, you are where you are

A few examples of behavioural vulnerabilities;

• Financial – I don’t have enough
• Knowledge Based – I don’t know what I am doing
• Health – cognitive issues
• Impulsive –
• Over confidence – doing the wrong thing in the moment
• Under confidence – leads to loss of returns over time

Can all be detrimental to making better money decisions

Misalignment of values

How do we identify our behavioural vulnerabilities?

How do I get the emotional comfort I need at the lowest cost way to my financial returns?

How to use the knowledge around your behavioural vulnerability?

Changing our environment to suit our behavioural vulnerability

Greg Davies founded the first behavioural finance team at Barclays Bank in 2006 and is a specialist in behavioural finance and decision science. He now works at Oxford Risk building tools to improve financial decisions.

Want to know more – connect with Greg on LinkedIn

In this episode the guys take a playful dive into what moderate success could look like for you. Chris shares ten practical tips for balancing ambition and wellbeing. With a dash of humour, but lots of actionable insights, this episode will help you define your personal version of success and build a life of financial and personal wellbeing. Ready to redefine success? Tune in now!

David – he asks the questions listeners are undoubtably shouting!

Chris Budd – a vinyl record hoarder

Producer Tommo – financial planner at Ovation Finance

2024 UK Autumn Budget – a note on speculation v information

Want to work with calm financial planners? Have a chat with the Ovation Team

A light hearted look at financial tips to be moderately successful – a tongue in cheek exploration

Featuring David’s multi-vehicle insurance (add others to your policy and you may see changes in your premiums) and Producer Tommo’s regular reminder to look for free kids meals during school holidays.

Tip of the week – Go and watch tribute bands. All the songs you know, just as good, but a fraction of the price.

What does Chris mean by ‘moderately’?

Define what it is and when you will achieve it

For a period of time, give it attention to see if you like it.

Sometimes, going with the flow can be liberating. If all your time is planned, you will not be able to look at something interesting that pops up.

Remember the role luck plays in success

(cover image; Photo by Maxim Makarov on Unsplash)