It’s definitely time to gorge
Whether you’re after Christmas gift ideas, or need pointers for good money media to tide you over the holidays we thought we’d offer our picks.
Oh and we don’t just feast on money media during down-time … there’s also a couple Christmas movie picks: Elf anyone?
Money media: books
Incidentally, we don’t get any commissions if you buy through these links. We simply want to spread the word and raise the bar … and these books are downright excellent.
How to Fund the Life You Want
Robin Powell & Jonathan Hollow
To give it its full title: How to Fund the Life You Want: What Everyone Needs to Know About Savings, Pensions and Investments focuses on how money is not our purpose. It’s not a healthy measure of success. In a simple and accessible way, this book helps the reader think about money differently and focus instead on what really matters.
The Geometry of Wealth
Brian Portnoy
The Geometry of Wealth: How to shape a life of money and meaning is similar to How to Fund the Life You Want in that it encourages people to think about life and the role money plays, and can play. Both books really resonate with what we hear from clients every day: people are often bewildered by money … yet getting a handle on it sets them free to focus on the big picture.
Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
Another money book with an unfathomably long title (why is that?), Psychology of Money: Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness offers a refreshing take on the world of finance. Told through 19 short stories, the book’s full of wisdom but, like the others, it’s massively accessible.
Money media: podcasts
Re:Thinking with Adam Grant
How free solo climber Alex Honnold faces fear
We’re sure Adam Grant’s whole series is excellent but this episode with Alex Honnold, a climber who inspired the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, is a must-listen. Fear holds so many of us back, but Alex compares it to hunger, saying that we can park it and push through. Inspiring and insightful – this one really makes you think.
Money Clinic with Claer Barrett
Financial Times
No-nonsense and very practical, this series helps listeners to understand money issues and take informed action; often in the very specific matters (should I repay my student loan?) facing millennials (under 40s) and Gen Z (early twenties). It’s very clear, very balanced and full of great money insight.
Diary of a CEO
Steven Bartlett
Not strictly speaking a money podcast, but it sure rubs against money a lot – as most things do. You’ve probably heard of Steven Bartlett’s multi-award-winning podcast but in this case you can believe the hype as A-list guests talk about life and business … with the uncanny ability to touching almost anybody who listens.
The best (money) Christmas films
It mightn’t sound it, but we don’t just work and consume money media all day long. We have lives and dogs and stuff. We also love a good Christmas movie. Here’s our picks … and we want to know yours.
Chanelle: Nativity!
Martin Freeman, Ashley Jenson
Dir Debbie Isitt, 2009
“Such a heart-warming and feel good film, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas until I’ve watched it.”
Helena: Elf
Will Ferrell, Zooey Deschanel
Dir Jon Favreau, 2003
“If I need a ridiculous Christmas-confetti-bomb that requires no deep-thinking, Elf is my annual go-to.”
Your pick here
We need to know your Chrimbo film recommendations yesterday so send them to
And also, we’d love your take on a decades-long debate: Die Hard … Christmas film or no?
The best (money) Christmas films
Money … and feeling the Heat
We were recently approached by Heat Magazine for advice on managing money over a tight Christmas period and beyond.
Here’s portions of our interview with much more detail in the pages of another piece of excellent money media: Our book, available on Amazon now.
1. How can I make December’s salary last?
Boring as it sounds, it’s all about planning. Use a budgeting app — there’s some really good ones out there — and review your spending every few days to make sure you haven’t overshot. If you have then keep a lid on it ’til you’re caught up.
2. I’m constantly in-the-red, what can I do?
Short-term: share your issues with someone you trust, take advice, and perhaps explore ways to earn extra income and / or sell unwanted items to buy financial breathing room.
Longer-term: it’s worth developing self-awareness around money. We recommend you analyse your spending for a month and try to identify your triggers – the feelings or situations which lead you to overspend. Question everything: was this purchase essential?What did I get out of this (and is there another way to achieve the same outcome)?
3. What Top 3 money moves should we prioritise in our 20s-30s?
If you’re starting from scratch then it’s all about the basics: figure our where you are with money now, pay your debt, and start saving.
Figuring out where you are is about having (and sticking to) a budget. Whether via an app or pen and paper, log your incomings and outgoings and stay on top of your spending.
Try to pay down expensive debt as soon as feasible and aim to build up an emergency fund; banking at least three months’ worth of expenditure so it’s there if you need it.
Once things are moving it’s onto saving. And you can even think about retirement: start early and you’ll make greater use of compound interest, the eighth wonder of the world.
Long term happiness vs short-term pleasure
It’s podcast time and this week’s guest talks about their struggle with the age old money dilemma: whether to live for today or plan for tomorrow.
While we know both are possible, it’s a concepts that many wrestle with, including our guest:
“I definitely live for the now and don’t think enough about future implications of that”
Tune in now on Apple, Spotify, or our website for another captivating episode.
Yippee-ki-yay or yippee-ki-nay?
As you read, we’re desperate to hear your Christmas movie picks and your thoughts on the Die Hard debate – is it a Christmas movie
Beyond that, book and podcast recommendations are always welcome and we’d love to hear what else is on your mind as we approach Christmas.
We’re on email and on social and we’ll see you next time,