171: What is Fun Money? How to Enjoy Guilt-Free Spending

171: What is Fun Money? How to Enjoy Guilt-Free Spending

Author: Lindsay Bryan - Podvin June 23, 2025 Duration: 9:59

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


Ever feel like your relationship with money is tangled up with stress, anxiety, or even shame? That’s the exact space where Mind Money Balance lives, exploring the deep and often overlooked connection between our financial habits and our mental well-being. Host Lindsay Bryan-Podvin brings a unique dual perspective as both a Licensed Master Social Worker and a Certified Financial Therapist, moving past simplistic budgeting advice to examine the broader societal and psychological forces that shape our financial lives. You won’t find a rigid "abundance mindset" doctrine here or judgment over small daily pleasures. Instead, each episode offers grounded, psychology-based conversations that provide actionable steps to untangle money stress and build a more peaceful financial existence. This podcast digs into the real stories and systemic factors behind our spending, saving, and earning, creating a compassionate resource for anyone ready to heal the divide between their wallet and their emotional world. Tune in for a refreshingly human take on finding clarity and confidence with money, one thoughtful conversation at a time.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Mind Money Balance
Podcast Episodes
139: The Problem With Online Financial Influencers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:02
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…
138: Easy Financial Swaps Explained [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 8:51
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 bonu…
137: New Consumerism Tricks to Avoid [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:23
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…
136: Save Money on Food When You Aren't A Cook [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:49
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…
135: Goal Setting that Sticks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:41
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 v…
134: Top 10 Money Moments of the Year [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:16
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 sys…
133: Emergency Funds the Easy Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:07
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! Saba…
132: Bad Things I Do With Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:39
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…
131: Prepare Financially For the Holidays Without Losing Your Mind [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:25
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…
130: How NOT To Talk To Your Partner About Money [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 9:31
Have you ever tried to talk to your partner about money, but the talk goes sideways? If so, you might be making one of these common mistakes. In this episode, I’ll cover the common reasons your money talks might be so un…