Episode 288: The Psychology of Money: Why We Overspend, Undersave, and Avoid Financial Decisions

Why do so many of us struggle to follow through on the money habits we know are important? In this episode, Melissa Joy, CFP®, explores the psychology behind three common money behaviors:

• Overspending – from emotional triggers to lifestyle creep and comparison culture
• Undersaving – how present bias and scarcity mindset can sabotage long-term planning
• Freezing – the shame and avoidance that keep us from making financial decisions at all

Melissa shares relatable examples and practical strategies to break free from these cycles. From setting up automatic savings, to creating “fun money” categories in your budget, to celebrating small wins, she explains how incremental progress can rewire your money story.

Resources & Mentions:

• The Geometry of Wealth by Brian Portnoy
• The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
• The Behavioral Investor by Daniel Crosby

If you’ve ever felt stuck or ashamed about money, this episode will help you move forward with more self-compassion, awareness, and action.

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