Money, money, money. Spending on gifts, travel, food, and everything else feels almost unavoidable around the holiday periods. But what about the stress and panic that hits every time you open Apple Pay or tap your card at the checkout?

In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante unpack the financial pressures of the holidays. They’ll also share practical ways to shift your focus from consumption to connection, helping you enjoy the season without the overwhelm.

You’ll also learn:


Why we feel pressured to “keep up” with peers when it comes to generosity and gift-giving


The psychology of money and how your upbringing shapes your financial mindset


Real examples of how money influences attitudes and behaviour


How to avoid FOMO and set healthy limits around your spending

Watch the podcast on YouTube here.  

And if you’re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there’s something for everyone. Listen here: https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/

Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! Click here for more information

If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support. 

Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health. Complete our short survey here for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!

Want to get in touch with us? DM @butareyouhappypod on Instagram or send us a voice memo. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas—think of it as free therapy!

CREDITS:

Hosts: Ashani Dante & Dr Anastasia Hronis

Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman

Executive Producer: Naima Brown

Audio Producer: Tina Matolov

Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Money, money, money. Spending on gifts, travel, food, and everything else feels almost unavoidable around the holiday periods. But what about the stress and panic that hits every time you open Apple Pay or tap your card at the checkout?
In this episode of But Are You Happy, clinical psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis and co-host Ashani Dante unpack the financial pressures of the holidays. They&rsquo;ll also share practical ways to shift your focus from consumption to connection, helping you enjoy the season without the overwhelm.
You&rsquo;ll also learn:
<ul>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">
Why we feel pressured to &ldquo;keep up&rdquo; with peers when it comes to generosity and gift-giving
</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">
The psychology of money and how your upbringing shapes your financial mindset
</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">
Real examples of how money influences attitudes and behaviour
</li>
<li data-start="52" data-end="149">
How to avoid FOMO and set healthy limits around your spending
</li>
</ul>
Watch the podcast on YouTube <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@ButAreYouHappyPodcast/featured">here</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;
And if you&rsquo;re looking for more to listen to - every Mamamia podcast is curating your summer listening right across our network from pop culture to beauty to powerful interviews, there&rsquo;s something for everyone. Listen here:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/" data-sk="tooltip_parent">https://www.mamamia.com.au/podcasts/</a>
Subscribe to be in the running to WIN THE ULTIMATE SUMMER HOLIDAY: Royal Caribbean Cruise Giveaway! <a href="https://www.mamamia.com.au/mamamia-royal-caribbean-cruise-giveaway/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=giveaways&amp;utm_campaign=royal-carribean-dec-2025" data-stringify-link="https://www.mamamia.com.au/mamamia-royal-caribbean-cruise-giveaway/?utm_source=shownotes&amp;utm_medium=podcast&amp;utm_campaign=giveaways&amp;utm_campaign=royal-carribean-dec-2025" data-sk="tooltip_parent">Click here for more information</a>
If you or someone you know needs support, contact <a href="https://www.lifeline.org.au/">Lifeline</a> on 13 11 14 or <a href="https://www.beyondblue.org.au/">Beyond Blue</a> on 1300 22 4636. Both services are available 24/7 for free, confidential mental health support.&nbsp;
Help us understand how you're looking after your mental health.&nbsp;Complete our <a href="https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8275908/Medibank-Study-2025">short survey here</a> for a chance to win a $1,000 gift voucher in our quarterly draw!
Want to get in touch with us? DM <a href="https://www.instagram.com/butareyouhappypod/">@butareyouhappypod</a> on Instagram or <a href="https://help.mamamia.com.au/en-US/send-a-podcast-voice-note-467960">send us a voice memo</a>. Our hosts are ready to hear your dilemmas&mdash;think of it as free therapy!
CREDITS:
Hosts: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/ashanidante/">Ashani Dante</a> &amp; <a href="https://www.instagram.com/anastasia.hronis/?hl=en">Dr Anastasia Hronis</a>
Senior Producer: Tahli Blackman
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/zotheysay/?hl=en"></a>Executive Producer: Naima Brown<a href="https://www.flexmami.com/"></a>
Audio Producer: Tina Matolov
Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

Join Ashani Dante and Clinical Psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis as they give you the no-bullsh*t self-development and mental health information you really need. Because no, another personality quiz won’t fix you.

Join Ashani Dante and Clinical Psychologist Dr Anastasia Hronis as they give you the no-bullsh*t self-development and mental health information you really need. Because no, another personality quiz won&rsquo;t fix you.

But Are You Happy?

How To Stress Less About Money Pressures

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/3ea926be-9be7-482a-8ac3-a44f016e43d1/clips/f4dfb9ab-14f9-4c1c-8678-b398004678ea/transcript