The Financial Wellbeing Podcast

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.

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! Welcomes & Introductions Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look hereProducer 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. What’s on Today’s Podcast? A chat with Dennis Harhalakis, exploring money coaching and kindness in connection with our finances. Tight Ass Tommo Featuring some rather morally grey money saving tips around umbrellas and kids meals! Interview with Dennis Harhalakis What is money coaching? You can’t understand how to manage your money, until you understand your behaviourDennis Harhalakis 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 yourselfHow kindness is good for youMoney and kindness Why do those with more money often give less to charitable causes? Compersion, the opposite of schadenfreude Conclusions from the Guys 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! Welcomes & Introductions Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look hereFancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here Whats on Today’s Podcast 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. Tight Ass Tommo 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! How Underestimating Personal Future Change Effects Your Financial Decisions Today 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. 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.

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! Welcomes & Introductions Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look hereFancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here What’s on Today’s Podcast? 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 Tight Ass Tommo 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. Interview with Greg Davies 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 Conclusions from the Guys 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

Dive into a light-hearted exploration of what moderate success means, balancing ambition with well-being. Discover ten practical tips to define your success and embrace spontaneity, including the power of saying 'yes' and the joy of unexpected opportunities. Enjoy budget-friendly leisure suggestions like tribute bands and dining promotions to save money while having fun. The hosts challenge conventional notions of success, highlighting individual values and the importance of flexibility in achieving personal and financial goals.

Episode 114 – Preparing your Finances for Parenthood with Katie Dow In this special episode, Producer Tommo makes his interviewer debut as he sits down with Katie Dow, a holistic wealth manager from Aspen Capital Management. Katie shares her insights on preparing finances for parenthood, exploring the most common financial stresses young families face and how to address them with proactive planning. Tune in for thoughtful guidance on easing financial worries before the little one arrives – and of course some top #tightasstommo money saving tips! Welcomes & Introductions Want to know more about Chris Budd’s The Financial Wellbeing Pulse? Take a look hereFancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here What’s on Today’s Podcast? Following a meeting with Chris at a financial conference in San Diego, Katie Dow chats about financial planning for young and busy families. Katie is a holistic wealth manager at Aspen Capital Management in Boise, Idaho. Interview with Katie Dow Katie’s background and how she got into Holistic Wealth Management Common stresses on finances when baby is on the way A Checklist to explore and consider when baby is on the way Link to Episode 65 – talking with Amy Florian on grief and loss during transitions The Bowen’s Family Systems Theory Differentiation of self Explore your family’s money stories Drill down into your financial behaviours Money personalities SecurityFreedomPowerLove How the money personalities interact together – opposites/same Talking about finances as a couple and with a financial planner Katie’s #tightasstommotip – on a date night, save alcoholic drinks for when you get home to save money, cost of taxi and babysitter! Conclusions from the Guys Link to Episode 113 – Malsow, Money and Happiness Tight Ass Tommo Adam Harrison – GWR Delay & repay, claim money back on delayed train journeys. Not travelling in the south west? Check to see if your service offers a similar scheme! Katie Dow is an advisor at Aspen Capital Management. She helps alleviate financial stress for her clients and guides them by facilitating thoughtful planning and goal-setting for both the near and long term.  While the future is important, she recognizes the voyage matters, too.   Connect with Katie on LinkedIn here