S2 Ep16: Money Mechanics - Money Confidence, Financial Literacy & Why Your Emotions Drive Your Money Decisions with Lesley Thomas & Sarah Poynton

In this episode of the Money Mechanics Podcast, host Sarah Poynton sits down with Lesley Thomas, founder of the Money Confidence Academy.Lesley specialises in helping individuals and organisations understand the emotional drivers behind financial decisions, and why money is rarely just about numbers.This conversation explores money mindset, financial literacy, confidence, and how our beliefs about money are formed - often long before we realise it.🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode💸 Why Money Decisions Are Emotional (Not Logical)  Why most financial decisions are driven by emotion, not logic  How money stress impacts behaviour, communication, and confidence   Why understanding your emotional relationship with money is key to improving it  🧠 Your Money Story & Archetypes  How childhood experiences shape lifelong money beliefs   Why phrases like “I’m bad with money” can become self-fulfilling   The role of money archetypes in shaping behaviour   How identifying your archetype can help you build better financial habits  👩 Women, Confidence & Money  Why women often struggle to value themselves financially  The link between self-worth and earning potential   How money amplifies existing traits - both positive and negative  👨‍👩‍👧 Teaching Financial Literacy to the Next Generation  Why schools don’t teach enough about money   The importance of starting money conversations early   Why giving children choice (not control) builds better financial habits   How parents can empower rather than enable  💼 Money, Work & Employer Responsibility  How financial stress impacts productivity and workplace culture   Why employers should care about employees’ financial wellbeing   The importance of open conversations about money at work 🧠 Practical Money Mindset Shifts  Why 95% of money worries never actually happen   The difference between enabling vs empowering financially   Why nobody is “naturally good” or “bad” with money — it’s learned behaviour   How asking better questions leads to better financial outcomes  🏗️ Business & Platforms Mentioned Money Confidence Academy Financial education platform focused on improving confidence, behaviour, and understanding around money.🧠 Key Takeaways:  Money mindset & emotional decision-making   Financial literacy for adults and teenagers   Money archetypes & behavioural patterns   Confidence and self-worth in finances   Workplace financial wellbeing   Generational money education 🔗 Lesley's Links:  Money Confidence Academy (main website & contact): 👉 https://moneyconfidenceacademy.com  Money Archetype Quiz (via website): 👉 Available through the Money Confidence Academy platform  ✉️ Money Mechanics Newsletter:https://www.sarahpoynton.com/newsletter📲 Follow Sarah & Money Mechanics: Instagram: https://instagram.com/sarahpoynton Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sarahpoyntonryan Website: https://www.sarahpoynton.com/MoneyMechanics Podcast: Money Mechanics Podcast