"I earn £1 million a year – but I feel guilty and lonely"

"I earn £1 million a year – but I feel guilty and lonely"

Author: The Telegraph June 5, 2024 Duration: 37:03

Imagine earning millions but feeling too ashamed to tell anyone about it? That's the problem facing Jack*, who following a decade of debt is now making 100k a month. Jack can’t help feeling terribly guilty when he sees friends slogging it out in more noble careers and earning significantly less. Without knowing it, Jack is suffering from "sudden wealth syndrome", terrified of being ostracised by family and friends.


On today's episode - what’s it like suddenly coming into serious money when you’ve previously been on the breadline? Most of us will never know, but could there be a secret millionaire in your friendship circle? And if there was, would you want to know? Should we all be more open about money and salaries? Katie talks to Dr Stephen Goldbart who coined the term "sudden wealth syndrome" in the 90s, as well as Lisa, another self-made millionaire brought up on a council estate, previous dragged down by decades of debt.


✍️ Need your awkward money problem solved? Email Katie or send a voice-note to moneyconfidential@telegraph.co.uk or fill in the form here: https://telegraph.co.uk/moneyconfidential. It can be 100% confidential!

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Money Confidential with Katie Morley is a podcast that digs into the real financial dilemmas people face but are often too awkward or private to discuss out loud. Hosted by The Telegraph's Consumer Champion, Katie Morley, who has a track record of winning millions in compensation for readers, this series moves beyond the headlines to explore the personal side of money. Each episode tackles a specific, thorny question sent in by listeners, from family disputes over inheritance and the etiquette of adult children living rent-free, to the social pressures of keeping up with wealthier friends or the true cost and value of private education. The conversations here are grounded in real stories, blending elements of society, culture, relationships, and even the subtle tensions that can feel like true crime within families. You'll hear Katie engage directly with people's situations, offering her seasoned perspective while facilitating honest talk that seeks practical clarity over simple judgment. This podcast provides a confidential space where the messy, emotional, and frequently unspoken rules about money are finally brought into the open.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 16

Money Confidential with Katie Morley
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