Why Your Brain is Hardwired to Make Bad Money Decisions – And How to Rewire It with Hanna Horvath

Why do we keep making money decisions that go against our best interests? In this episode, I’m sitting down with Hanna Horvath, Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) and financial psychology expert, to unpack why our brains are literally wired to sabotage our financial goals—and what we can do to change that. Hanna shares powerful insights from her work as the creator of “Your Brain on Money,” explaining how cognitive biases like loss aversion and decision fatigue impact everything from investing to impulse spending. We also dive into why more money doesn’t automatically equal more peace, how to align your financial habits with your core values, and practical strategies to work with your brain rather than against it. Plus, Hanna reveals the simple mindset shifts that can help you spend without guilt, stop financial perfectionism in its tracks, and finally break free from those unconscious money scripts that are keeping you stuck. You’ll hear: Why our brains are wired to make terrible financial decisions The connection between money anxiety and identity How to set up financial guardrails that align with your values The role of decision fatigue in impulsive spending How to separate self-worth from net worth You’ll walk away knowing: Our brains are hardwired to make poor money choices. Loss aversion can lead to irrational financial behaviors. Understanding the emotional aspects of money is crucial. Automating financial decisions can reduce decision fatigue. Creating guardrails helps in making better financial choices. The digital age has made spending frictionless and impulsive. Investing can feel less tangible and more emotional than spending. Self-compassion is key in financial decision-making. Recognizing the disconnect between financial reality and emotions is important. Labeling oneself as 'bad with money' can be counterproductive. Practice self-compassion in financial behavior. Financial habits are a journey, not a destination. Social media heightens financial anxiety. Follow Hanna for more financial psychology insights. https://yourbrainonmoney.substack.com/ Website: https://www.hannahorvath.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrain_onmoney/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@yourbrainonmoney LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hanna-riley-horvath/ Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@yourbrainonmoney Don’t forget to follow us @everyonestalkinmoney for more money mindset content. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices