The Financial Wellbeing Podcast

EPISODE 121 – FINANCIAL INFIDELITY 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? Whether you’re looking to strengthen financial trust, avoid money pitfalls, or just enjoy some honest money talk with a dash of humour, this episode is for you. WELCOMES AND INTRODUCTIONS Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here [//ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] WHATS ON TODAY’S PODCAST Exploring what financial infidelity means and how to avoid or navigate it. Link to Episode 120 and our chat with Dr Megan McCoy [//www.financialwell-being.co.uk/2025/05/30/episode-120-money-stories-with-dr-megan-mccoy/] TIGHT ASS TOMMO Featuring the #tightasstommo origin story, a mobile phone loyalty trick from Chris Hull [//www.linkedin.com/in/chris-hull-1990196/] 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 marketing@ovationfinance.co.uk and join the conversation. THIS EPISODE: 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 TAMZIN CAINE’S TIPS Smart Divorce Podcast link [//smartdivorce.co.uk/blog/podcast-the-one-about-the-family-home] > What ever the reason, hiding any aspect of your life from your partner is going to lead to issues in the relationship > > Tamzin Cane * Arrange regular money dates with calm conversations * Couples counselling * Individual support * Find support, such as The Brightside app [//www.brightside.com/mobile/?srsltid=AfmBOorYxss7eVL8lkRRVVB5hmX3eEra9RxL5nNOO5n0yeRm0RHP2B10] / Surviving Economic Abuse [//survivingeconomicabuse.org/] CONCLUSIONS FROM THE GUYS

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? https://www.financialwell-being.co.uk/2024/06/28/episode-110-the-financial-wellbeing-pulse-with-chris-budd/https://www.financialwellbeingpulse.com/Have a listen to Episode 110 here. [https://www.financialwell-being.co.uk/2024/06/28/episode-110-the-financial-wellbeing-pulse-with-chris-budd/] 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 [https://ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] 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 [https://ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] 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 [https://birthdaybus.co.uk/] 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’ moment > > Dr 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 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 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” [https://www.nationalunderwriter.com/financial-planning-counseling-skills.html] has just been released. Want to know more – connect with Megan on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-harhalakis/]

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 [//ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] 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. 🙌 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f64c.png] 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 🧭 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/12.0.0-1/72x72/1f9ed.png] THE 7 INVESTMENT TIPS FOR WELLBEING: 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!). 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 here [//www.financialwellbeingpulse.com/] 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 [//ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] Chris Budd – founder of the Institute for Financial Wellbeing [//instituteforfinancialwellbeing.com/]. Gearing up to play at the 2025 IFW conference [//instituteforfinancialwellbeing.com/events/]. 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 behaviour > > Dennis 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 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 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 [//www.linkedin.com/in/dennis-harhalakis/]

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 here [//www.financialwellbeingpulse.com/] Fancy a chat with Tom Morris and the team at Ovation? Contact details here [//ovationfinance.co.uk/contact/] 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.