Money Chill Out

Hosted by Mariekafinot

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128

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Hi, I am Marieka, and welcome to Money Chill Out! On this podcast, I want to dive into the world of the often unspoken topic of money. Effective personal finance management can be a great liberator but also a huge stress factor in our lives. After a 10y career on trading floors in London, I want to help demystify the intimidating world of finance and have an open, honest, and frank conversation. By opening the discussion I wish you identify yourself, learn, be inspired, and get empowered. Every other week, I will be joined by guests for a conversation on money, mindset, investment habits, and any best practices they abide by! So join me on this journey as we unpick the complexities of finance and get more comfortable talking about our money.

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60 recent

October 28, 202638 min

#128 : How Much Money Is Enough to Feel Safe? - with Alex Beavis

💸 How much money is enough to feel safe? In the latest episode of Money Chill Out , I sat down with Alex Beavis to explore a question that sounds simple but is surprisingly difficult to answer. Because the truth is, enough looks different for everyone. A family of five and a single person can earn the same salary and have completely different financial realities. And even a high income doesn’t guarantee peace of mind. 📊 The reality is that financial anxiety is real: • 1 in 4 UK adults would struggle to pay an unexpected £850 bill. • 1 in 3 UK households have no dedicated emergency fund. • 1 in 6 people in the UK have no savings at all. So, how do we move from worrying about money to feeling more secure? In our conversation, Alex and I explore: 💡 Why there’s no magic salary threshold , and why the gap between what comes in and what goes out matters more. 🎯 Why our “enough” number keeps moving , from the rising cost of living to lifestyle creep and comparing ourselves to others. 🛟 The three layers of financial security: Survival: Can you cover your essentials? Resilience: Do you have enough cash to weather life’s unexpected twists? Freedom: Can your money give you the confidence to change jobs, take risks or do more of what matters to you? 📈 How to make your money work harder , from building an emergency fund and tackling expensive debt to reviewing your savings rates, pension contributions and biggest household bills. My biggest takeaway? ✨ Enough is when money no longer dominates every decision you make in life. Not when every financial worry disappears. Not when you can afford everything you want. But when life’s inevitable financial bumps are annoying rather than destabilising. 🎧 Tune in to the latest episode of Money Chill Out with Alex Beavis and start thinking about what financial safety really means for you . What does “enough” mean to you? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. 👇

October 14, 202631 min

#127 : Expat mum's financials - with Marine Bonnin Zakhour

🌍 Expatriation is not just one person’s career opportunity. It’s a family project, and everyone’s financial future deserves a place at the table. 🎙️ In this new episode I’m joined by Marine Bonnin Zakhour to explore the financial realities of expat mums. After moving to Dubai and experiencing life without a salary for the first time, Marine reinvented herself, moving from marketing to supporting expat mums in building their financial confidence and security. 💡 We talked about: ✨ Why expatriation is a family decision, not just a career opportunity for one partner. 💰 How our relationship with money can change abroad, from growing wealth to building freedom, security and choices. 🚩 The financial blind spots expat families often overlook: • Focusing on your new financial life while forgetting the assets and obligations back home. • Confusing a high household income with long-term financial security. • Keeping too much cash because the future feels uncertain 👩‍👧 The hidden financial impact on expat mums. Career breaks can last much longer than expected, affecting career progression, salary growth, pension contributions and investment opportunities. And beyond the income gap, there can be a much bigger wealth gap and a confidence gap, too. 🛡️ We also discussed family protection, life and critical illness insurance, how to make sure both partners are building financial security 🎧 Tune in to Money Chill Out for an honest conversation about money and building financial security abroad. 💬 And to you, have you considered the long-term financial impact of expatriation on the partner who follows?

September 23, 202639 min

#126 : What really happens inside a venture capital fund? - with Anieke Lamers

What really happens inside a venture capital fund? 🤔 When people think about VC, they often picture glamorous events, million-dollar deals, and founders ringing the bell after a successful exit. The reality? It's a lot more nuanced. In the latest episode with Anieke Lamers, we unpack what venture capital actually is. We explore: 💡 How VC funds really work (and why they’re built on a 10 year horizon) 🚀 How investors evaluate startups, and why the team often matters more than the idea 🎯 Why venture capital is as much an art as it is a science 🌍 How you can combine profitability with purpose, people, and planet Despite the fact that only around 2% of venture capital funding goes to female founders, Borski Fund is actively working to change that. With €50M under management and 70% of its investors being women, the fund is proving that strong financial returns and greater diversity can go hand in hand. Its triple-impact thesis is simple but powerful: invest in companies with at least one female founder, invest alongside more female investors, and back businesses tackling challenges that disproportionately affect women, such as women's health. My biggest takeaway? Success isn't just about the financial exit. It's about building resilient companies, creating value for customers, fostering healthy team cultures, and staying curious throughout the journey. Whether you're a founder, investor, or simply curious about how venture capital works, I think you'll enjoy this conversation.

September 9, 202631 min

#125 : Building a wealth mindset - with Christina Ewere

Wealth isn't glamorous. It's repetitive, disciplined... and often a little boring. In Money Chill Out Podcast #125, I sat down with Christina for a conversation that challenges many of the myths we tell ourselves about money. In this episode, we explore why: 💡 Wealth is 80% mindset and only 20% strategy. 💡 Most people don't have an income problem, they have a mindset problem. 💡 Building wealth is more about subtraction than addition. Remove the habits that leak money before focusing on earning more. 💡 Optimism and patience are two of the most valuable wealth-building skills. Long-term success belongs to those who stay the course. 💡 Delayed gratification isn't old-fashioned, it's a competitive advantage. 💡 Build assets, not appearances. In a world of "fake real life" on social media, many truly wealthy people don't look wealthy. 💡 Networking, continuous learning, and optimism compound, just like investments. One sentence really stayed with me: "People often overestimate what they can achieve in one year, but underestimate what they can achieve in a decade." If you're interested in developing a wealth mindset instead of chasing the illusion of wealth, I think you'll enjoy this episode.

July 1, 202623 min

#124 : Why knowing what to do with money isn’t enough - with Alexandru Artenie

Today’s topic is something that trips up almost everyone at some point: Why knowing what to do with money… isn’t enough. Because let's be honest, most of us already know the basics, right? ✅ Save more than you spend ✅ Avoid unnecessary debt ✅ Invest for the long term None of that is new. And yet... many people still struggle to build wealth. In this Money Chill Out episode #124, Alexandru Arteni shares a powerful reminder: 💡 Money isn't a knowledge game, it's a behavioural game. The biggest challenges aren't usually a lack of information. They're the emotions that influence our decisions: • Stress • Fear • Comparison • The temptation of instant gratification After all, spending feels good now. Investing pays off later. That's why financial success isn't built on motivation. It's built on systems. A few key lessons from our conversation: 🔹 Wealth is built through consistency and repetition, not perfect decisions. 🔹 Tracking your spending and investments creates clarity and control. 🔹 Good habits beat good intentions. 🔹 Automation and structure help you stay on track when emotions take over. 🔹 Don't trade momentary comfort for future security. The people who make progress financially aren't necessarily the smartest. They're often the ones who create simple systems that allow them to keep taking action, even when they don't feel like it. What financial habit or system has had the biggest impact on your life? #MoneyChillOut #PersonalFinance #Investing #FinancialFreedom #WealthBuilding #MoneyMindset #BehaviouralFinance #Podcast

June 17, 202633 min

# 123 : Financial fraud - with Becky Holmes

Fraud today is sophisticated, quick, frightening, clever, and global. In Money Chill Out episode #1223, I sat down with Becky Holmes to discuss the future of financial fraud, why scams are becoming more effective, and what we can actually do to protect ourselves. A few things that stayed with me from the conversation: ➡️ Many scams now start on social media: Marketplace scams, fake QR codes, impersonation accounts, fraudulent ads. ➡️ Romance fraud is one of the cruelest forms of fraud because it weaponises trust and emotion. ➡️ Fraud statistics are massively underestimated. Many people never report scams: • “It was only £100.” • “I’m embarrassed.” • “I should have known better.” Even victims of £10k+ fraud often stay silent. ➡️ Scammers succeed because they create urgency and target what matters to you most. When emotions take over, rational thinking disappears. ➡️ Practical protection strategies: • Two-factor authentication • Keeping social accounts more private • Family “safe words” to verify identity • Speaking to someone else before acting • Slowing down emotional decision-making One point that surprised me: Fraud accounts for roughly 40–50% of crime in the UK, yet only around 1% of police resources are allocated to it. And while banks in the UK can reimburse fraud victims up to £85k, social media platforms still carry very little responsibility despite fraudsters operating openly through ads and fake accounts. The biggest takeaway? Stop. Think. Speak to somebody else. Get a different perspective. Favour face-to-face meetings whenever possible. 🎙️ New episode of Money Chill Out with Becky Holmes is out now.

June 3, 202631 min

#122 : Financial shame - Marieka Finot featured on the Hello Shame podcast

Nobody is inherently bad with money. Financial wellbeing is a skill, and like any skill, it can be learned, practised, and strengthened with the right support. That's why I was delighted to join Eli Strzelecka on the Hello Shame podcast to discuss "Beating Financial Shame." In this episode, we explore: 💰 Why financial struggles are often not about a lack of intelligence or discipline. 📈 The difference between financial wealth and financial health, and why you can have one without the other. 🌱 Practical ways to change money habits, build confidence, and develop a healthier relationship with your finances. As a former London trader turned financial empowerment coach, I've seen first-hand how transforming someone's relationship with money can positively impact every area of life, from reducing stress and anxiety to creating more freedom and fulfilment. A huge thank you to Eli and the Hello Shame team for creating space for such an important conversation. If you've ever felt stressed, guilty, overwhelmed, or ashamed about money, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Listen to Beating Financial Shame and let me know what resonates most with you. #FinancialWellbeing #MentalHealth #FinancialHealth #FinancialFreedom #PersonalFinance #MoneyMindset #FinancialEducation #HelloShame #MoneyChillOut

May 13, 202629 min

# 121 : Inherited wealth - with Marine de Waziers

What does it really mean to inherit wealth? With my guest Marine, we open up a conversation that is usually kept behind closed doors. She inherited wealth at 24. She knew something was coming, but not the scale, not the impact, and definitely not the emotional weight that came with it. Why is inheritance one of the least discussed topics around money? Because, as she puts it: “You didn’t do anything to earn it.” And with that comes guilt, fear of judgment, and concern about how it shapes relationships. For a long time, she handed over the responsibility. Stayed at a distance. Tried to “prove herself” first. Until one simple question changed everything: “How much time do you spend managing the wealth that gives you your freedom? The answer was: none. That moment sparked a shift, from avoidance to ownership. From seeing wealth as a burden, to seeing it as a tool to fuel what she believes in. In this Money Chill Out episode, we explore: • Why inheritance isn’t just money • The hidden emotional burden of inherited wealth • Why it can feel isolating, even among close friends • The silent pressure to preserve and pass it on to the next generation • How men and women experience and express this responsibility differently • What happens when you finally decide to take ownership This episode is an invitation to rethink how we talk about money, especially the kind we don’t feel “allowed” to discuss. If you’ve inherited, expect to inherit, or simply want a more honest conversation about wealth: 🎧 This one is worth your time.

April 29, 202634 min

#120 : Financial green and red flags in relationships - with Alex Edwards

Finances are the #2 cause of divorce, yet most couples avoid these conversations early on. 🎙️ Today for Money Chill Out podcast, I sit with Alex Edwards to discuss Financial Green & Red Flags in Relationships Here’s what we cover: 💚 Green flags (alignment & mindset) Curiosity > judgment in money conversations First-date questions: routines, mentors, goals, debt mindset Shared financial goals + open communication Monthly/quarterly money check-ins Healthy independence (separate accounts where needed) 🚩 Red flags (watch early) Avoiding or hiding credit score (responsibility indicator) Indecisiveness or poor financial decision-making “Quit your job, I’ll take care of you” → control risk One partner controlling all money (financial abuse risk) 💔 Reality check 20% of women are in relationships they can’t afford to leave 25%+ of women in relationships don’t have a separate account Financial secrecy / “financial infidelity” (between 1 in 3 to 1 in 2 couples) 🤝 What healthy couples do differently Talk about money early and often Align on goals, spending styles, and debt Treat finances as teamwork, not control Consider prenups as a financial clarity plan, not a breakup plan 💡 Ultimately, financial compatibility isn’t about being identical. It’s about building shared systems, honest communication, and aligned goals.

April 15, 202629 min

#119 : From Achievement to Fulfillment: Real Stories That Changed the Money Game - with Nancy Ho

🎙️ In this episode, I sit down with Nancy Ho to unpack a powerful truth: achievement alone isn’t enough. We’ve been taught to move forward, to achieve, to win, and yes, that drive is positive. It’s universal. But without a clear WHY , it can quietly turn into stress, burnout, and a lingering sense of “something’s missing.” 💡 Here’s what we explore: Why high achievers (even in their 30s) are feeling more pressure than ever How a lack of purpose, not success, triggers unhappiness Why fulfilment is not about downsizing your life, but redefining what matters The importance of asking yourself: “Does my life actually make sense to me?” Why money buys choices, but should never be the end goal How to define your personal “enough” (and why most people start in the wrong place) Nancy shares a grounded perspective on building wealth and inner peace. ✨ This episode is a reminder: You don’t need to escape your life, you need to understand your WHY. And most importantly… don’t wait for something to go wrong before you start asking the right questions. 🎧 Tune in now and take a moment to reflect: What are you really working toward?

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