Mind Money Balance

We often think about Survivor Guilt as something that happens to survivors of accidents or natural disasters, but a financial twist also happens. Financial Survivor’s Guilt is a phenomenon where individuals feel guilty for their financial stability while others around them struggle. People who experience this might experience similar symptoms of traditional survivor guilt: racing thoughts, anxiety...

We can spend a lot of time working on our own relationship with money, but it's equally important to know how to discuss it with others. If you’ve ever clammed up or stumbled over your words, you're not alone. And frankly, whether it's explaining to your nieces and nephews why you can't buy them ice cream again or discussing a house down payment with your partner, money conversatio...

It’s no secret that mental health is a fundamental part of overall wellbeing. 1 in 5 American adults experience a diagnosable mental health condition annually, and 1 in 4 will experience a mental illness at some time in their life. I’m a believer that we don’t need to have a diagnosable mental illness to tend to our mental health. Especially because our mental health impacts how we think, feel, an...

Lindsay, financial therapist and founder of Mind Money Balance, shares her personal money routines, which she follows annually, quarterly, monthly, and more. She is a huge fan of automating her routine as much as possible, but even with automation, it’s important to check in and tweak as needed. There’s nothing better than hearing from others about what really happens, and she's happy to share...

As if you needed any more reasons to give your boss the “I’m on vacation” autoresponder, let’s talk about how good travel is for your brain. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin covers what makes travel so beneficial for our brains. She shares how much time off you need according to research, ways to enhance the mental health benefits of your vacation, how to get the most bang...

While cold brew on tap and a foosball table might’ve worked in the past to incentivize employees, those perks aren’t what are keeping employees around. In this video, financial therapist goes through recent HR surveys that highlight that when employees struggle financially, it impacts their work. She also shares ways employers can assess the perks and benefits they offer their employees to help su...

Lifestyle creep or inflation-when you spend more money as you start earning more-often gets a bad rap. But understanding why spending your money doesn’t feel as good as you thought can be a great first step in making sure that you’re using your money the way that feels best. In this episode, a financial therapist will walk you through four tips to help make that new paycheck feel good–so you can h...

“Should I buy or rent?” It’s a question that comes up a lot, but outside of the finances, how do you know if it makes sense? In this “Ask Mind Money Balance” episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin answers a flight attendant from Atlanta’s question about this exact topic. There are some unique considerations, such as assessing values, determining the why behind short-term renting, and be...

Self-trust is having confidence and belief in one's own abilities. When it comes to money, having low self-trust can make it hard to make and stick to financial choices. In this video, a licensed social worker and certified financial therapist shares five common signs of low financial self-trust. She also covers six ways to build resilience and increase self-trust, including creating small tim...

An article written by personal finance expert Charlotte Cowles recently went viral when she shared she was victimized and scammed out of a large sum of money. The response online was largely rooted in nasty, victim-blaming. We don’t do that here at Mind Money Balance. Financial scams impact people of all ages, with younger adults 18-29 actually reporting the highest number of financial scams. Rath...

Since the dawn of time (ok, ok, since 1981) SMART goals have been the dominant framework for setting and achieving goals, including financial ones. But disability advocate Emily Ladau was onto something when she said that SMART goals were out, and FUN goals were in. As a shame free financial therapist and financial wellness expert, I’m a huge fan of FUN goals! Tune in to hear how Flexible, Uplifti...

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, or CBT, is the idea that our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are interconnected and influence one another. As a social worker and financial therapist, I’ll share how you can understand more about this type of therapy and what you might gain from CBT. As always, I’m here to point out where things go awry, and I’ll talk about some of the “cons” of this intervention (h...

It’s Black History Month, and Mind Money Balance is celebrating by highlighting and amplifying 13 Black personal finance pros you need to know. From journalists to authors, YouTubers to podcasters, and energy healers to social workers, this list highlights folks who have taught me things about money, new ways to approach personal finance tactics and instill motivation, too.

I'm taking you behind the scenes and sharing insights into my personal and professional journey, including how I found myself repeating a mistake by outsourcing my self-trust when it came to trying to achieve my goals in 2023. I share lessons I’ve learned, including how I approach my marketing from a sustainability standpoint, why social media platforms can be complimentary but aren’t my main...

Motivational interviewing isn't a pep talk or hyping yourself up to answer questions – it's a profound exploration of your desires. While I absolutely believe that we can and should be our own hype people, Motivational interviewing is about tapping into the deep well of insight within you, so you can figure out your unique motivation to make change. And–how you can make meaningful changes...

"Loud Budgeting" is a social media trend that I can get behind as a financial therapist. Why? Because it's just another way to say "having financial boundaries." Learn how to set and communicate financial boundaries, what third spaces have to do with it, and how to deal with naysayers who try to push your limits.  Read or watch the corresponding video here www.mindmoneybala...

I’ve highlighted why you need to be wary of the old guard of personal finance, but what about the new FinFluencers all over you social media feeds? I came across a study, initially highlighted by the brilliant Financial Diet, that found only 1 in 10 people providing financial advice online have any sort of credentials to do so. So how can you spot a FinFluencer grifter? Listen as I break down the...

If you are trying to cut back on your spending but keep getting tripped up because you are engaging in retail therapy, you aren’t alone. This video simplifies why shopping feels good and what we can do instead. As a bonus, these easy financial swaps are all about making you feel good instead of feel like you are restricting yourself. Win-Win! For the full post, click here https://www.mindmoneybala...

You might be familiar with how grocery stores use end caps to trick you into buying more than you planned, but do you know how to protect yourself from the Diderot Effect and things like Eco-washing? In this episode, not only will you learn how marketers have been leveraging behavioral psychology to trick you into spending more, but you’ll also learn ways to practice your version of ethical consum...

Whether you’re not a cook, don’t have time to spend in the kitchen, or just can’t be bothered, there are ways to save on food without becoming a home chef. Financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin offers twelve creative ways to save on food without cooking for a Mind Money Balance audience member who HATES cooking.  Watch the corresponding video and read the post here: http://www.mindmoneybalance....

Goal-setting can be such a good practice, but most of us struggle to set ones that matter to us and are doable. In this episode, I’ll talk about the importance of setting financial goals by getting to the heart of your values. This is a short episode, but it’s super actionable, so grab your pen and paper and let’s set some meaningful financial goals! Watch the corresponding video and read the full...

In this episode, I highlight the most played and rewatched parts of my YouTube channel in 2023. It’s a great sampler platter of all the things I cover on the podcast and on YouTube. From DINKWADs to ADHD, and how our systems failed us, there’s something for everyone when it comes to money, emotions, and how the world we live in shapes our reaction to both of them.  Watch the corresponding video he...

Building an emergency fund is essential, but the old financial advice of saving 6-8 months of expenses is not only outdated, but can feel like an impossible task for most people. Instead? Let’s look to the research! Sabat and Gallagher reveal new data-driven numbers to aim for in your emergency fund.  In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin breaks down the latest findings and pre...

Bad money habits? You and me both! I'm a financial therapist, and a large part of feeling less alone with how we interact with money is hearing how others spend theirs. In this episode, I'm sharing four of my "bad" money habits, why I'll likely continue to spend on these "bad" habits, and the importance of personalizing our finances. Watch the corresponding video he...

Whether you’re prepping to grate a mound of potatoes for Hanukkah, dusting off your Costco tree for Christmas, or charging your crystals for the winter solstice, it's busy at the end of the calendar year! Not only is it busy emotionally, but it can be expensive. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay of Mind Money Balance shares tips and tricks to help you identify your holiday values, s...