Three money psychology shifts that changed how I handle money

Learning about money is one thing. Actually changing how you behave with it is something else entirely.

In this special episode of Making Cents, I’m pulling together three powerful money psychology insights that genuinely changed how I handle my own money. It’s not just that they were clever tactics, but that they finally helped me put good intentions into action.

Being “good with money” isn’t about deprivation or sitting on a pile of cash you’re scared to touch. It’s about deciding what kind of life you want, working backwards from there, and building money habits that actually fit how your brain works.

You’ll hear highlights from three standout conversations with experts who reshaped how I think about fear, goals, habits, and motivation — and why so many of us keep doing things we know are holding us back.

Claire Barnes, Ecoya CEO, on how the outside perspective of a coach helped her battle a fear of failure.

James Blair, Lighthouse Financial financial advisor, on the gamechanger of values-based spending.

And Dr Brad Klontz, psychologist and multiple times best-selling author, on the psychogical wiring that can hold us back, and how to change it.

In this episode, we cover:

– Why outside perspective (from a coach, adviser, or trusted third party) can unlock progress you’ll never see on your own

– How fear, anxiety, and discomfort can be harnessed instead of fought, and used as fuel rather than friction

– How values-based spending can stop money fights with your partner and make trade-offs feel intentional

– Why knowing what to do with money is rarely the problem, and how your psychology sabotages you instead

– How concepts like the hedonic treadmill and ancient “caveman brain” wiring shape modern money decisions

If you’ve ever felt like you know what you should be doing with money, but still can’t seem to follow through, this episode is for you.

Links

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This podcast was filmed and produced by Fanaticals

Video editing & content production by Lana Byrne

Audio engineering by Tash Chittock

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