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Every year, people spend nearly $200 billion on video games: That’s more than we spend on sports and movies combined.
Clearly, we’re into having fun and playing games. But here’s a question: What if we take games out of the fantasy world and put them in the real one? What if we could make tasks like managing our money more of a game and less of a chore? In short, what if we could make money management fun?
That’s what we’re going to talk about today. Stacy Johnson and I are joined by producer and novice investor Aaron Freeman. Today’s special guest is Emily Guy Birken, co-author of “Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management and End Financial Stress Now.” She’s going to take us through what we need to know about making money fun.
Remember, even though we sometimes talk about specific investments on this show, don’t take them as recommendations because they’re not. Before investing in anything, do your research, and make your own decisions.
You can watch this episode below, or if you’d prefer to listen, you can do that with the player at the top of this article. Or, you can download the episode wherever you get your podcasts:
- Listen on Apple Podcasts
- Listen on Google Podcasts
- Listen on Spotify
Don’t forget to check out our podcast page for more episodes designed to help you make the most of your money and our YouTube page for more videos.
What makes money management so scary?
We start by looking at what makes money management so scary. How come we dread looking at the budget? Emily takes us through these emotions, and we talk about how to make it a little more fun.
- Are you just lazy? Check out our podcast episode on how to manage your money the lazy way.
- When you have an irregular income, money management can be rough. Here’s a look at how to make it easier when your income isn’t stable.
- I have an article about setting money goals that enrich your life.
- Worried about your finances? Our guest, Emily, has a great article on the power of hope when it comes to your money.
- Money management is linked to mental health.
- Budgets don’t work for everyone, but that doesn’t have to stop you.
How to make money management more fun
If you’re hoping to get on top of your budget — or at least put together a spending plan, we’ve got tips for you in the second part of our podcast episode. We talk about what makes it fun. Or at least how to trick yourself into thinking it’s fun.
- Gamification: can video games change our money habits?
- Here are some questions you can ask yourself as you create a budget.
- Looking to get more from your money? Here are some apps that can help you change how you interact with money.
- Our look at consumption smoothing and how it contributes to happiness.
- Check out Emily’s appearance on the Journey to Launch podcast about how to have a fun relationship with money.
- Want to improve your finances? We have ideas for outsmarting your brain and improving your finances.
Meet this week’s guest, Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.
Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger, MSN Money and The Washington Post online.
She is the author of several books, including “The 5 Years Before You Retire,” “End Financial Stress Now” and the brand-new book “Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management,” written with Joe Saul-Sehy.
Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.
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About the hosts
Stacy Johnson founded Money Talks News in 1991. He’s a CPA, and has also earned licenses in stocks, commodities, options principal, mutual funds, life insurance, securities supervisor and real estate.
Miranda Marquit, MBA, is a financial expert, writer and speaker. She’s been covering personal finance and investing topics for almost 20 years. When not writing and podcasting, she enjoys travel, reading and the outdoors.
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