How to Stop Buying a Life That Isn't Yours | Hanna Horvath, CFP®

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Mar 9, 2026

Hanna Horvath, CFP® — a financial planner and writer who studies the psychology of money. She explores why info alone does not change behavior. She talks about social comparison, how marketing creates a sense of lack, defining what “enough” means, the hidden costs of convenience, and practical ways to align spending with values and build real community.

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INSIGHT

Information Isn’t Enough To Fix Money Habits

Information alone doesn't change financial behavior because money is wrapped in emotions and identity.
Hanna left traditional planning after seeing clients nod to sound advice yet revert because their beliefs and emotions drove choices.

ADVICE

Back Into Financial Goals From Values

Decide the life you want first, then back into the financial number you need.
Hanna defined her 'enough' by valuing flexibility, community, and travel instead of anchoring to net worth or house ownership.

ANECDOTE

Why I Stopped Saving For A House

Hanna saved aggressively for a house because she thought that's what you do in your 20s.
Living in NYC and talking to homeowner friends revealed buying wasn't aligned with her values of flexibility and travel.

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And on to the show notes!

Most financial advice assumes money decisions are rational.

Spend less. Save more. Invest consistently.

But in reality, our financial decisions are often driven by psychology, identity, and social pressure far more than spreadsheets.

In this episode, Tyler sits down with Hannah Horvath, CFP and writer of Your Brain on Money, to explore why traditional financial advice misses the behavioral side of money — and why understanding your values matters just as much as understanding the math.

In this conversation, Tyler and Hannah discuss:

Why information alone rarely changes financial behavior
How social comparison shapes spending and lifestyle choices
Why defining “enough” is more psychological than financial
How marketing profits from creating a sense of lack
The hidden cost of hyper-convenience and digital isolation
Why community and real-world connection matter more than we think

The core idea: money is a tool, but if you don’t define what you actually value, it’s easy to spend your life chasing someone else’s version of success.

If you’d like to explore more of Hannah’s work, you can find her newsletter Your Brain on Money, where she writes about the psychology and culture behind our financial decisions.

And if the show’s been helpful, leaving a quick review on Apple or Spotify genuinely helps.

Hope this gives you something to think about this week.