When Money Gets Weird: How to Stay Sane in an Insane Economy: Free & Open Mind Podcast

**When money gets weird, our nervous system does too.** In this episode of *Free & Open Mind*, Hardy and Stan dive into what so many people are quietly wrestling with right now: **rising prices, shrinking options, and the shame spiral that follows.**We’re **not** financial advisors. We’re **life coaches** who work with real people trying to stay grounded when:• Groceries cost 30% more than last year • Gas and travel feel out of reach • Digital money makes it way too easy to swipe, tap, and overspend • Social pressure says “Keep up” while your budget screams “Slow down”### In this episode, we explore:**What’s in your control vs. what isn’t** • You *can’t* change inflation, corporate decisions, supply chains, digital systems (but you can vote!) • Where your real leverage actually is.**Money, shame, and status games** • From $22 bottled water at a club to “Aren’t you going to buy me a drink?”: how money, worth, and belonging get tangled together, and how to step out of that game.**Digital money & invisible overspending** • Why tapping your card or phone disconnects you from reality• Smple ways to make money feel tangible again**Daily habits that quietly drain your wallet** The client who spent ~$50/day on coffee, how they shifted the habit, and what they did with the *time* and *emotional comfort* that coffee was providing.**Scarcity, empty shelves & shifting routines** • Changing *when* and *where* you shop• How to adapt to limited choices• Why early-morning grocery runs can change your budget and your stress levels**Journaling your money & emotions: a 7-day experiment** A simple log that tracks:• What you spent • What you *didn’t* buy • How you felt when you made (or didn’t make) the purchase • What triggered your decisions (stress, boredom, celebration, avoidance, etc.)### You’ll walk away with:• A clearer sense that **it’s not your fault** the system is weird • A checklist of what you **can** control today • A 7-day **money + emotion journaling practice** you can start immediately • Mindset shifts to **remove shame**, keep your self-worth intact, and still enjoy your life — even on a tighter budget**Try this after the episode:**1. **Create a rough budget.** It doesn’t have to be perfect. 2. **Run a 7-day money journal.** Track every expense + emotion. 3. **Notice your “shame spending” moments.** Where are you trying to keep up, prove something, or avoid a feeling? Share your insights, wins, and “aha” moments in the comments — we *read them all* and may feature them in a future episode.🔔 **Subscribe** for weekly episodes on mindset, money, authenticity, and navigating a world that doesn’t always make sense. 💬 **Comment** how your journaling experiment goes and what you’re learning about your money story.### 👤 About the Hosts **Hardy Brooklyn** is a life and business coach based in Brooklyn, New York. Hardy helps individuals who feel something’s “just not right” in their lives redirect their path towards a healthier, happier, more rewarding life. • Website & Newsletter: https://boxofrain.com • Link: https://www.bor.bz • Linktree: https://linktr.ee/hardybrooklyn **Stan Nelson** is a moving forward and goal success coach from Perth, Western Australia. Stan helps people who feel stuck start living extraordinary lives with clarity, momentum, and aligned goals. • Website & Blog: https://coachingwithstan.com.au 🎧 **Listen Live:** Free & Open Mind streams **live every Friday at 9 AM (ET)**. ▶️ **Replay & Watch:** Full episodes are posted on YouTube the same day.