In this episode, Monika explores why even the smartest people fall into common money traps. Our emotions and habits often override logic, leading to costly mistakes like fearing market crashes, selling assets at the wrong time, or waiting too long to invest. She breaks down two key behavioral patterns—mental accounting and anchoring—that drive these poor financial decisions. Mental accounting makes us treat money differently based on its source, leading to suboptimal choices like keeping low-yield savings while carrying high-interest debt. Anchoring causes us to fixate on past prices and unrealistic expectations, preventing sound investment decisions. Monika shares practical ways to sidestep these traps and take a more rational approach to money management.

Next, she explains the concept of purchasing power and how inflation erodes what money can buy over time. While prices rise for most goods and services, she points out that some costs, like mobile phone tariffs, have actually decreased, challenging the assumption that purchasing power always declines across the board.

In the listener Q&A, Kiran asks whether buying term insurance at 48 is worth it when he plans to retire in five years. Anup shares his financial milestones and seeks advice on investing while planning for his daughter’s future and his parents’ health. Jay outlines his strategy for managing his parents’ finances after a recent windfall and wants feedback on how to refine his approach.

Chapters:

(00:30 - 07:19) Why smart people make dumb money mistakes

(07:20 - 08:28) Understanding purchasing power

(08:29 - 11:10) Is term insurance worth it at 48?

(11:11 - 14:28) Investing for short- and long-term goals

(14:29 - 17:10) Managing finances for retired parents

If you have financial questions that you’d like answers for, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠

Monika’s book on basic money management

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-money-english/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Monika’s book on mutual funds

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-mutual-funds/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Monika’s workbook on recording your financial life

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.monikahalan.com/lets-talk-legacy/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Calculators

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://investor.sebi.gov.in/calculators/index.html⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

You can find Monika on her social media @monikahalan. 

Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MonikaHalan⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production House:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.inoutcreatives.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Production Assistant:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Anshika Gogoi⁠⁠⁠⁠