The Financial Wellbeing Podcast

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. Welcomes & Introductions 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 What’s on Today’s Podcast? Why behavioural finance has evolved to include happiness and meaning The dangers of comparing yourself to others and how reference points affect satisfaction The power of social influence on money habits How simple gratitude practices can boost wellbeing Making your future self feel more real to support better decisions The role of luck and why acknowledging it can encourage generosity Tight Ass Tommo Lighthearted money saving tips, guaranteed to make you smile and think twice about your spending habits. Interview with Daniel Crosby The core conversation covers: The emotional story behind financial decisions and why empathy matters How money influences wellbeing beyond traditional financial outcomes Why your environment and role models are powerful predictors of behaviour Practical ways to build salience for your future goals Insights from The Soul of Wealth that people can apply in their daily lives Conclusions from the guys Reflecting on the key themes from the interview: Understanding money’s role in life requires looking beyond numbers Compassion and curiosity help uncover underlying financial motivations Small practices like gratitude and future visualisation can make a meaningful difference

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! Welcomes and Introductions Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here What’s on Today’s Podcast? 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? Tight Ass Tommo Go and watch women’s sport, a great way to see quality sport at a fraction of the cost. Chris’ Good News 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. This Episode How do we think, what gets in the way and how can we think better? The Questions That Unlock Real Happiness Thinking well begins with asking the right questions. Try asking yourself: What really matters to me? What brings me joy and meaning? Whose expectations am I trying to meet? Will this decision make me happy in the long term? 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. Thinking Tools That Make a Difference A few simple shifts in perspective can make a big difference. Look beyond first impressions. If something seems like the key to happiness, pause and ask, What happens next? Spot your zero. Notice one thing that could cancel out your progress — the habit or belief that quietly undermines your wellbeing. Focus on what is truly yours. Choose goals that reflect your own values, not those that rely on the approval of others. When your goals come from within, they lead to satisfaction that lasts. Conclusions From The Guys

In this engaging discussion, philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer shares his journey in revitalizing Bishop Auckland through The Auckland Project. He emphasizes the transformative power of wealth when used with purpose, revealing insights from his spiritual awakening that spurred him to help the voiceless. Jonathan discusses community engagement initiatives, education enhancements, and the creation of local pride through events like Kynren. He also reflects on the personal rewards of meaningful work, urging listeners to find purpose, especially as they approach retirement.

Dive into the complexities of financial infidelity, uncovering what it really means and how it can manifest in relationships. Discover everyday examples of secret spending and hidden debts that can erode trust. Hear a personal tale of family bankruptcy that underscores the emotional toll of financial deceit. Learn practical strategies like no-judgment budgeting and the importance of open money conversations to foster transparency. Get tips on addressing issues together, ensuring healthier financial dynamics in partnerships.

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. Welcomes & Introductions 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 What’s on Today’s Podcast? A chat with Dr Megan McCoy, a financial therapist about the relationship between money and happiness – financial wellbeing from a therapist direction. Tight Ass Tommo 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. Interview with Dr Megan McCoy 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’ momentDr Megan McCoy 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 InfidelityEstate SettlementsMoney InsecurityBlended Families Fairness in finances When to refer; emotionally upset in meetingsnot focussed on finances in meetingsthinking about clients outside of meetings Conclusions from the Guys 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

Episode 119 – 7 Tips on Investing for Wellbeing 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. Welcomes and Introductions Chris shares his recent experiences in Marrakesh Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here Whats on Today’s Podcast Exploring investment management from a financial wellbeing perspective Tight Ass Tommo Featuring more from Marrakesh and special guest Rohan Sivajoti shares his supermarket yellow sticker finds. This episode: 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 The 7 Investment Tips for Wellbeing: Invest according to your objectives – Different goals need different investment pots. A holiday fund shouldn’t be in crypto. Build your investments around a financial plan – Understanding “how much is enough” is key to knowing what you’re working towards. Know how much risk you need to take – Not everyone needs to chase high returns. Don’t invest in a way that raises your heartbeat – If it keeps you up at night, it’s not worth it. Manage your emotional response to market fluctuations – Avoid panic (or euphoria) by staying focused on your long-term plan. Set clear investment rules – Having a process gives you a sense of control, even in unpredictable markets. Boost your knowledge—or get help – If you’re not confident, seek guidance from a financial planner (ideally one who also does cashflow forecasting!). Conclusions From The Guys 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 marketing@ovationfinance.co.uk—and join the conversation.