🪞 Do I look rich to you? Let's talk wealth identity with Hanna Horvath CFP

Do you feel shame discussing your money when you're worried about being judged for having too much or too little? We all do this mental gymnastics, and we're here to explore WHY we do it. In this episode of The Money Healing Club Podcast, I'm joined by Hanna Horvath, CFP a certified financial planner and money psychology expert, about the complex relationship between money and identity. We talk about class perception, wealth signaling, lifestyle inflation, and the psychological gymnastics you (and we all) perform when discussing financial status with others.

💬 "For most people, money is a part of their identity, and it's a part of how they see the world and their values—an expression of their values. So when you start to unpack that, you really do see how money and wealth can be a way in which people present themselves to the world and want to be perceived." - Hanna Horvath CFP

Key takeaways from the episode:

1. Your financial behaviors are often driven by unconscious emotional factors rather than rational decision-making

2. People make remarkably accurate snap judgments about others' income based solely on a neutral photo of their face!

3. Social media has exacerbated lifestyle inflation and distorted your perception of "normal" financial status

4. Generational differences in financial experiences create significant communication gaps

5. Wealth is relative—your perception of your own financial status is heavily influenced by those around you

Guest info: Hanna Horvath is a certified financial planner and money psychology expert who explores how money shapes our identity, behaviors, and relationships through her Substack newsletter "Your Brain On Money" and social media channels.

⏰ EPISODE BREAKDOWN

Money as Identity [00:02:00 - 00:08:00] Rachel and Hanna discuss how your financial decisions become wrapped up in your identity and how you code-switch depending on who you're talking to about money.

The Psychology of Wealth Perception [00:08:00 - 00:15:00] Research shows people can judge others' income level from photographs with a 68% accuracy, and how you subconsciously use "status signalers" to communicate your financial position.

Social Media and Lifestyle Inflation [00:15:00 - 00:25:00] How social media has accelerated lifestyle inflation by constantly exposing you to curated displays of wealth and consumption.

Generational Money Perspectives [00:25:00 - 00:36:00] Let's contrast the financial realities of different generations, particularly between Baby Boomers and Millennials, and how these differences shape your money narrative.

📚 Resources Mentioned

1. Do I Look Rich to You? - Hanna's article that started it all!

2. Hanna's Substack newsletter: "Your Brain On Money"

3. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrain_onmoney/

4. The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko

5. The Next Millionaire Next Door: Enduring Strategies for Building Wealth by Thomas J. Stanley & Sarah Stanley Fallaw  & Sarah Stanley Fallaw  

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