Know Your Money with Bronwyn Waner and Craig Finch

Hosted by Know Your Money

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Episodes

190

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-ZA

About the show

Welcome to Know your money, where we will explore our relationship with money and how the psychology of it impacts our financial decisions as everyone thinks about money differently. In our podcasts we will be presenting a variety of financial topics in an easy-to-understand way which, we hope, will assist you with managing your money.Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

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60 recent

August 31, 20268 min

190. How Personal History Changes Investing Choices

Send us Fan Mail Your financial plan is never just about numbers. It’s also about the surprises that shaped you, the stories you inherited, and the moments that made you decide “I’ll never do that” or “I must always do this”. We pick up Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, chapter 12 (“Surprise”), and unpack why using history to predict the future can be useful, but also dangerously incomplete when life throws the unexpected at you. We talk about how your personal history can quietly run your money decisions. If you grew up with a parent who took big risks, spent freely, or never built a safety net, you might respond by becoming extremely cautious, even when smart, diversified investing would serve you. We share how that risk story can lead to missed opportunities, and why starting early and saving consistently still matters, even when you feel unsure. We also explore a powerful client example: when no one in your family lives past a certain age, why would you save for retirement at all? Add a childhood link between investing and gambling, and suddenly “growing money” feels unsafe. That’s where money mindset work and good financial planning meet, helping you spot the belief, understand how it once protected you, and choose a more balanced approach. We end by reflecting on COVID-19 as a money memory that still influences spending, saving, and fear today. If you found this helpful, subscribe, share it with someone who’s rethinking their money habits, and leave a review so more people can find the podcast. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

August 24, 202610 min

189. You're A Person, Not A Spreadsheet

Send us Fan Mail A flawless spreadsheet can be the fastest way to do nothing. We talk through Morgan Housel’s “reasonable versus rational” idea from The Psychology of Money and why a plan that helps you sleep at night often beats a plan that looks perfect on paper. From a South African financial planning lens, we unpack what happens when the numbers don’t match your real life. Think of the young professional or student trying to afford medical aid, income protection, possible life cover, and retirement savings while earning a starter salary. When the “correct” answer eats most of your pay cheque, the real skill becomes prioritising, placing smaller bricks first, and mapping out what you will add as your income grows. We also zoom out to retirement planning and lifestyle choices. Many people assume their current costs will stay the same forever, but life changes and so can spending. Holidays are a great example: an overseas trip every year might be irrational for your budget, but a local South African break can still be a meaningful, affordable goal. The key takeaway is simple: keep the spreadsheet, but treat it as your North Star, not your bible, and come back to it after every season-changing event like buying a home, getting married, or having children. Subscribe for more practical money conversations, share this with someone who feels stuck, and please leave a review. What part of your money plan feels unrealistic right now? Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

August 17, 202610 min

188. Saving Money Is A Habit You Can Learn

Send us Fan Mail Saving money is not a personality trait, it is a skill you can build, and we get honest about why so many of us struggle to start. We are Bronwin Wayner and Craig Finch from Growth Financial Planning, and we work through a practical, human look at saving that goes beyond spreadsheets. If you have ever told yourself “I’ll save when I’m older” or “I just can’t save”, this conversation is for you. We unpack the three types of savers and how people can shift between them as life changes. From lifestyle spending to the short-lived thrill of a flashy purchase, we talk about what actually drives decisions, and why the psychology of money matters as much as the maths. We also explore a key wealth-building idea: a higher saving rate can outweigh a higher investment return, which is a relief if you are tired of feeling behind or overwhelmed by market noise. We then move into what support looks like in the real world: using the right long-term tools, understanding a tax-free savings account properly, and having a financial plan that covers both goals and the “what ifs” like health shocks or income disruption. If you want to build better money habits, improve your budgeting, and grow your retirement savings in South Africa with less stress, press play and start where you are. Subscribe, share with someone who needs the nudge, and leave a review with the money habit you are working on right now. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

August 10, 20269 min

187. The Ferrari, The Honda And The Truth

Send us Fan Mail The most dangerous money mistake is also the easiest to make: confusing what looks wealthy with what actually is. We sit down with Chapter 9 of Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and get honest about the gap between being rich today and being wealthy for life. From the quiet power of savings and investment portfolios to the temptation of flashy spending, we talk about why the best financial decisions often happen out of sight. We dig into the idea of “enough” and why defining it can change everything. A Ferrari might impress people for a moment, but a repayment you can’t afford can trap you for years. We link wealth to freedom, the kind that comes from living below your income, saving consistently, and investing for the future version of you. We also look at real-life cues that mislead us, because we judge what we can see, even when the truth sits in someone’s bank account, not their driveway. We close with a practical planning mindset: your goals are meant to evolve as you move through different seasons of life. That means checking in often, adjusting as marriage, kids, and new responsibilities arrive, and keeping your money aligned with your values instead of your image. If you want a grounded, South Africa-friendly conversation about personal finance, financial planning, wealth building, and financial freedom, this one is for you. Subscribe, share it with a mate, and leave a review so more people can learn to build wealth they don’t need to prove. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

August 3, 20265 min

186. The Ferrari Paradox

Send us Fan Mail The quickest way to waste money is to spend it on a version of respect that never arrives. We pick up Chapter 8 of Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money, “The Man in the Car Paradox”, and use a simple valet parking story to expose a powerful truth about status symbols: when people stare at the Ferrari, they are often not thinking about the driver at all. They are imagining themselves in the driver’s seat. We explore what that means for personal finance and financial planning in real life. If your spending is built around being seen as successful, you can end up trapped in lifestyle inflation, comparison, and constant upgrading. We talk honestly about the inner pull to look outward for validation, and why getting comfortable with who you are can change everything from your savings rate to your long-term wealth and financial independence. We also make space for nuance. Big goals are not “bad” goals. If you genuinely love cars, design, performance, or the meaning attached to a lifelong dream, then aiming for something like a Ferrari can be a clear, values-based choice. The difference is whether the purchase is for your life or for an audience. We run through a practical thought experiment: if you had millions to spend, what other version of you might feel prouder putting that money towards investing, family security, debt reduction, or charity? If this conversation makes you rethink one purchase, one goal, or one assumption about what people think of you, subscribe to Know Your Money, share the episode with a friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find it. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

July 27, 20266 min

185. The Highest Form Of Wealth Is Control

Send us Fan Mail Freedom is not a luxury item you buy once you hit some magic number. For us, it is the ability to wake up and know you have choices, even when life does not go to plan. We dig into Chapter Seven, “Freedom”, from Morgan Housel’s The Psychology of Money and get honest about why so many people feel trapped despite earning well, and why others have time but not enough money to live with ease. We talk about the real target: balancing time and money in a way that matches your lifestyle and values. That does not require billions of rands. It requires clarity on what “enough” looks like for you, steady saving, and a plan that can bring forward your options long before traditional retirement age. We also explore the hidden cost of being permanently busy, especially in demanding careers, and why chasing income without time can create problems that money cannot easily fix. A big part of financial wellbeing is preparing for the “what ifs”. As financial planners, we do not only plan for the version of you who is working and earning today. We look at what happens if you get sick, cannot work, or need to protect your family. We link this to research on happiness that points to one powerful driver: a strong sense of control over your life. Like a farmer cannot control the weather but can prepare for drought or floods, you cannot control every curveball, but you can build resilience through smart protection, savings, and goals. If you enjoy practical conversations about financial freedom, financial planning, and building real-life options, subscribe, share this episode with a friend, and leave us a review. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

July 20, 20267 min

184. Why Staying Invested Beats Perfect Timing

Send us Fan Mail What do you do when your investment goes down? Do you panic, make changes and move your money somewhere that feels safer? Or do you trust the plan and stay the course? In Episode 184 of Know Your Money, Bronwyn and Craig revisit one of their favourite books, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel, and unpack the chapter “Tails, You Win.” The idea is simple but powerful: you do not need every investment period, business decision or opportunity to be successful. The wins and losses are part of the same journey. What matters is being able to stay in the game long enough for the wins to make a meaningful difference. Bronwyn and Craig discuss why investors often want to make changes when markets fall, even after enjoying strong returns in previous years. They compare three investors who approached difficult market periods differently and show how fear, hesitation and trying to predict the perfect time to invest can significantly affect long-term outcomes. They also explore why every investment needs a clear purpose and timeline. Money you may need soon should not be invested in the same way as money you are growing for the long term. When you understand what you are keeping, what you are saving and what you are growing, it becomes easier to ride the waves without reacting emotionally to every market movement. This episode is a reminder that investing successfully is often less about doing something clever and more about continuing to do the right thing when everyone around you is panicking. Sometimes the best action is patience. And sometimes, when your long-term money is invested correctly, the best thing you can do is stop looking. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

July 13, 202616 min

The Accident That Changed the Rest of His Life | Know Your Money | Episode 183

Send us Fan Mail He survives a horrific highway collision, climbs out from under a truck, and walks away with nothing but stitches and a scar. That’s where Justin’s story starts, and it’s why this conversation stays with you long after you stop listening. We talk with Justin about the night drive from Johannesburg to Howick that turns catastrophic on the N3, and the heavy reality that another family is killed moments later. From there, the story shifts to the uncomfortable question many survivors carry: why didn’t it happen to me? Justin shares how that search for meaning eventually reshapes his career as a biokineticist, moving from chasing high-profile sport to working with people living with brain injuries, stroke, and spinal cord injury in a rehabilitation setting. It’s an honest look at purpose, dignity, and how quickly life can change. Then we follow the thread into adaptive sport and community impact. Justin tells us about Gabriel, a young man in a wheelchair who demands a goal big enough to live for, and the handcycle challenges that follow. When batteries fail and plans fall apart, a simple tow rope, teamwork, and stubborn grit get people to the finish line. The full-circle moment comes with Wiseman’s 947 ride, where Gabriel tows him for 53km, turning inspiration into action and proving how goals can rebuild identity after trauma. If you care about purpose-driven work, disability rehabilitation, resilience, and the real-life side of planning for the unexpected, you’ll get a lot from this one. Subscribe to Know Your Money, share this episode with someone who needs hope, and leave us a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

July 6, 20269 min

The Secret to Achieving Impossible Goals - Know Your Money | Episode 182

Send us Fan Mail A rollover on a misty road. Two fatalities. One survivor left with severe brain damage and the brutal reality of starting life again from scratch. We sit down with Justin to tell the story of Ari, a young man who has to relearn how to talk, eat, sit, and walk and why the money side of recovery can be the difference between “getting by” and getting the best possible care. What makes this story hit hard is how practical it is. We talk about the cost of long-term rehabilitation, the value of having your financial life in order, and how good decisions made years earlier can fund better hospitals, consistent therapy, and even home care. If you have ever wondered what financial planning is really for, this is it: building options when your income, health, and independence are suddenly on the line. We also touch on the quieter pieces people avoid, like support networks, planning ahead, and why a bad attitude can become its own disability. Then the twist: they set a goal that sounds impossible, the New York Marathon. Training starts with a short driveway and ends with 42 kilometres of grit, including a breaking point on the Queensborough Bridge, a pizza stop, a wheelchair, and a stubborn decision not to quit. Along the way we pull out real takeaways on goal setting, resilience, and breaking overwhelming challenges into small “water points” you can actually reach. If the story moves you, subscribe, share it with someone who needs a push, and leave a review so more people can find Know Your Money. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za

June 29, 202616 min

181. What is financial planning really for? | The Story That Will Change How You Think About Money

Send us Fan Mail One minute you are training for the next big event, the next you cannot feel your legs. That is the reality behind neurological injury, and it is why we invited Justin into the studio. He is a biokineticist who works daily with people living with brain injuries, strokes, and spinal cord injuries, and he helps run the Trojans Neurological Trust (TNT), a South African charity focused on getting people proper rehab when medical aid is missing or runs out. We talk through how TNT starts with a small commitment from a practice team and grows into something the public can see and feel at the 947 Cycle Challenge. Chariots, tandems, and the famous “TNT train” are not just a spectacle, they are a moving fundraiser that pays for therapy sessions and keeps hope alive. Justin shares why banter and normal conversation matter in rehab, how community changes outcomes, and why the phrase “the only disability in life is a bad attitude” can be both motivating and complicated. Then we bring it back to money. We unpack why loss of income cover and the right protection planning can stop a medical crisis turning into a family financial disaster, and how guilt, stress, and conflict often follow when there is no safety net. If you want a grounded conversation about disability, mindset, and financial planning in South Africa, press play, then subscribe, share the episode, and leave a review so more people can find it. Support the show Please subscribe to our podcast or have a look at our website www.growthfp.co.za