In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin walks you through the essential legal and financial documents unmarried couples (and poly partners or cohabitating besties!) should consider, like cohabitation agreements, estate planning tools, and property titles. Whether you’re sharing a home, finances, or a life together, these protections can offer clarity and peace of mind, without a marriage certificate.
Planning while you're in love and of sound mind is one of the kindest things you can do for your future selves.
TL;DR: If you don’t make a plan, the state will make one for you.
READ THIS INSTEAD:
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/protecting-your-relationship-without-marriage
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Shopping has become easier than ever, which makes overconsumption more common, tempting, and a go-to coping skill for many of us. Overconsumption can impact your mental well-being, increase stress, and clutter your home and mind. In this video, I’m breaking down what overconsumption really is, the psychology of overspending, and how to resist consumerism without shame or guilt.
👉 READ THIS INSTEAD
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/how-to-stop-overconsumption
💌 JOIN THE FREE WEEKLY MIND MONEY BALANCE NEWSLETTER https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter
There is a real affordability crisis caused by decades of underbuilding, restrictive zoning, slow permitting, and rising costs. In this episode, Michigan's first financial therapist explains that housing is a social determinant of health, impacting both mental and physical well-being. Learn why it feels like no one can afford a home and what you can do to advocate for more housing.
Read this instead: https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/housing-stability-movement
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You can start improving how you treat money in about 2 minutes. Overcomplicated spreadsheets and spending rules often leave people feeling like they’ve failed. That’s why I love what I call micro-dosing your financial habits. Microdosing financial habits means taking small, consistent, low-lift actions that support your financial well-being.
If an emergency fund is for emergencies, a Fun Money Fund is for JOY! A Fun Money Fund is a type of savings or checking account that we can all use tp build in spontaneity, impulse spending, or saving for that not totally necessary purchase that you know will feel good to you, without derailing your financial goals. As a financial therapist (and someone who’s been using this method in my own relationship for nearly two decades), I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is to build some joy and spontaneity into your monthly money plan.You’ll learn:🤑 What a fun money fund actually is🤑 How to decide how much fun money per month makes sense for youCreative, fun ways to spend money without it impacting your other financial goals🤑 Tips for using tech to automate your fun budget🤑 How this practice can reduce tension in relationships and make budgeting feel more sustainable💌 JOIN THE FREE WEEKLY MIND MONEY BALANCE NEWSLETTER https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter❓ TAKE A FREE QUIZ TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR MONEY TYPE https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz📝 SUBMIT A QUESTIONFill out this quick form to submit a question for me that I might answer on an upcoming "Ask Mind Money Balance" episode!https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/ask👋🏽 Say Hi!! 👋🏽Website: http://mindmoneybalance.com/Instagram: https://instagram.com/mindmoneybalanceTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindmoneybalancePinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/mindmoneybalance/Twitter: https://twitter.com/mindmnybalanceYouTube: https://youtube.com/mindmoneybalance
What even is a recession, and how can we prepare for one without spiraling? As a certified “Millennial who survived the Great Recession” and a financial therapist, I’ve got you. In this episode, I explain what a recession is (beyond just bad vibes), how they work, and how to take care of your emotional and financial well-being when the economy slows down.
Chapters
0:00 Recession
1:43 What is a Recession?
5:45 How to NOT Prepare for a Recession
15:07 Mental Health Tips
20:55 Financial Tips
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Want to boycott but not sure how? You don’t have to go all-in to make a difference. This boycott guide covers what a boycott is, how to participate, ways to effect change beyond a full boycott, and how to protect yourself from boycott burnout.
Corresponding blog: https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/boycott-guide-vote-with-your-dollars
Resources referenced:
News Clips
https://youtu.be/rnQQ7TGobb4?si=rOT8s4sUzwbGFBfU&t=25
https://youtu.be/3rQcozbaWsg?si=_a1Eu1nFupnw8Fnb&t=118
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4P1yG2VPLVg
Sugar Boycott
https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/abolition/abolition_tools_gallery_07.shtml
Buy Canada Movement
Toronto Sun
https://torontosun.com/news/national/many-canadians-willing-to-ditch-u-s-travel-and-alcohol-but-not-streaming-services
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sdb9gLnkpXY
Target Backlash
https://www.axios.com/2025/02/18/dei-consumers-shopping-politics-poll
https://www.cnn.com/2025/02/19/business/target-dei-boycott/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/target-cofounder-daughters-dei-efforts-concerns/
Maurice Mitchell, “It’s a Relay Race,” on the Vibe Check Podcast
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/its-a-relay-race-featuring-maurice-mitchell/id1637476174?i=1000684645813
What New Year resolutions did you set at the beginning of the year? If improving your financial health was on your list, you’re in good company. “Improving financial health” was the second most common resolution for 2024, right behind physical health. But most resolutions don’t make it past February. And by “don’t make it,” I mean they quietly fade into the background as life takes over. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. Only about 6% of people stick with their resolutions all year.
As a financial therapist, I see this all the time—money goals aren’t just about numbers, they’re about behavior, emotions, and habits. That’s why rigid financial advice often fails and why tailored and sustainable shifts are the key to long-term success.
In this episode, I’m breaking down the three most common financial resolutions—paying down debt, spending less, and saving more—and giving you real, practical ways to make them work for you.
I've rounded up the top 10 moments that the Mind Money Balance audience loved! YouTube insights revealed my channel's most-watched and re-watched segments, which I'll share here. I love this round-up because it shows me exactly what my dear listeners enjoy the most. This year, the top moments ranged from definitions to actionable tips, but the overarching theme, in my opinion, was VALIDATION—the moments that helped you realize you're not alone in your experiences.
Tune in for this best-of round-up and take a guess: what do you think the top moment in 2024 was?
Get the weekly Mind Money Balance newsletter so you can enjoy life, not track every penny.
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter
Financial Archetype Quiz
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz
Most Americans are carrying credit card debt, especially younger folks, like those in Gen Z, the Millennial Generation, and Gen X. In this episode, I’ll break down the three most common credit card traps and share actionable tips to help you avoid them. From overspending to falling for scams, I’ll teach you how to spot these pitfalls and protect your financial health. If you’ve ever felt stuck in credit card debt, this episode is for you!
Get the weekly Mind Money Balance newsletter so you can enjoy life, not track every penny.
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter
Financial Archetype Quiz
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz
There are four common credit card myths I need you to stop believing. If you believe these myths, you might negatively impact your credit score, pay unnecessary interest, or miss out on some of the perks (like travel hacking!) of responsible credit card usage. Listen for credit card facts so you can feel more better the next time you tap or swipe your card.
Get the weekly Mind Money Balance newsletter so you can enjoy life, not track every penny.
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter
Financial Archetype Quiz
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz
Feeling the pressure to overspend during the holidays? It's time to rethink the season with a focus on financial selfishness—putting your financial well-being first, guilt-free. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin explores how to navigate holiday spending in a way that protects your financial goals without sacrificing the joy of the season. You’ll learn why saying "no" to overspending is an act of radical self-care, how to approach holiday gifting, gatherings, and traditions while staying within your budget, and get boundary-setting scripts for tricky situations. By the end of this episode, you'll feel ready to celebrate the holidays without a financial hangover.
Join the Mind Money Balance Newsletter:
https://mindmoneybalance.com/newsletter
Hire Lindsay to Facilitate a Workshop:
https://mindmoneybalance.com/speaking
While the holiday season often brings pressure—whether from family, friends, or our own expectations—this episode breaks down strategies to set holiday boundaries, identify emotional spending triggers, and prevent unnecessary expenses. Learn how to manage internal and external pressures to overspend, from navigating gift exchanges to resisting the urge to go all-out on holiday decor. With insights on the emotional effects of spending and simple swaps to boost feel-good hormones without buying, this episode will help you prioritize your financial goals while still celebrating the holiday season meaningfully.
Corresponding Blog:
www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/financial-self-care-for-the-holidays
Resources Referenced in the Episode
Credit Card Traps Video
https://youtu.be/paui2ii2wKo?si=HgqfKJ6BtlWd0buu
How to Stop Retail Therapy: Chemicals That Make Shopping Feel so Good
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/how-to-stop-retail-therapy
A layoff or job loss can trigger an emotional rollercoaster, with feelings of shock, anger, sadness, or relief. Financial Therapist Lindsay shares that nearly half of Americans experience layoff anxiety, as recent statistics highlight the prevalence of layoffs due to cost-cutting measures and industry shifts. In this video, you'll learn that a job loss can evoke emotions similar to those experienced after a significant life event. Watch along for compassionate and actionable strategies for coping with a layoff, including prioritizing self-care, regaining control through small tasks, and building a support system.
Read the corresponding blog here!
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/how-to-deal-with-a-layoff
Over 44 million Americans left their jobs last year. High employee turnover is more than just a statistic; it’s a loud and clear signal that something within your organization isn’t resonating with your team. You're in the right place if you’re involved in hiring, management, or overseeing employee culture and well-being.
I’m sharing five practical strategies to help you maintain your employees by implementing financial wellness initiatives in the workplace.
Resources:
Accompanying Blog
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/blogandvideos/reducing-employee-turnover-financial-wellness
Hire Lindsay for your Organization
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/speaking
If you’ve made a money mistake and can’t stop thinking about it, tune in to learn more about why this is. Learn how to cultivate self-compassion to forgive ourselves, extract valuable lessons, and progress towards a healthier financial future. In this episode, financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin explains the connection between our early childhood experiences and financial decision-making, talking about how our choices are frequently tied to our desire for safety and security. Lindsay provides guidance on overcoming past money mistakes, encouraging self-forgiveness, and moving forward with a sense of understanding and confidence as you move into financial resilience.
The Doomsday Prepper archetype excels at financial preparation. They are the epitome of “good on paper.” But with all of that saving, planning, and thinking ahead, they often struggle to find contentment in the present. Learn how Doomsday Preppers can balance their drive for financial security with the ability to appreciate using money meaningfully to enhance life's experiences.
Resources Mentioned:
Financial Archetype Quiz
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz
If you find yourself constantly moving the financial goalpost because you think you need more, you might be a Money Admirerer. The Money Admirerer archetype is frequently applauded for their tenacity and work ethic, but the downside is that they might struggle to appreciate what’s happening in the moment and find contentment and joy beyond financial achievements. Tune into this mini episode for a primer on this archetype and the frequent ways I help them in my financial therapy practice!
Resources Mentioned:
Financial Archetype Quiz
https://www.mindmoneybalance.com/quiz
There are four Money Archetypes that shape what we believe about money and how it impacts what we do–or don’t do–with our money. The second money personality type is the Free Spirit. Known for their radical optimism and general "why not?!" attitude toward life, they tend to be excited to spend. The shadow side of their excitement is they sometimes spend and focus on outward appearances as a reflection of their self-worth and worry about what others think about them if they don’t overspend. Think your spending makes you a Free Spirit? Listen to find out!
Resources Mentioned:
Financial Archetype Quiz
Over the next 4 weeks, I’ll be sharing mini-episodes on the Financial Archetypes. These Money Archetypes shape what we believe about money and how it impacts what we do–or don’t do–with our money. For those who fall into the first category, the “Blissfully Indifferent,” money is a sensitive topic that is best avoided. This person may feel overwhelmed by money management, financial literacy, and a combination of embarrassment and avoidance. If that’s you (or someone you know), tune in to learn more about the strengths of this archetype and ideas to help you start having a healthier relationship with money.
Resources Mentioned:
Financial Archetype Quiz