Vicky Reynal’s “Money on Your Mind”: Understanding the Psychology Behind Financial Habits

Vicky Reynal’s book “Money on Your Mind: The Psychology Behind Your Financial Habits” has emerged as a tied winner in the Best Book category at the highly competitive Money Awareness and Inclusion Awards (MAIA) 2024. This compelling work delves into the emotional and psychological factors influencing our financial behaviours, offering readers invaluable insights into their relationship with money.

“Vicky Reynal’s book stood out for its unique approach to financial literacy, focusing on the emotional aspects that drive financial decisions,” says Trudi Harris, co-founder of the MAIAs. “Her work is a crucial addition to the field of financial education.”

Target Community: Everyone Who Earns, Spends, or Saves

“Money on Your Mind” is designed for a broad audience, from young adults beginning their financial journeys to seasoned professionals seeking to understand their financial behaviours better. Reynal’s book addresses a crucial gap in financial education by focusing not just on financial literacy but also on financial emotional awareness.

“My aim was to help people unpack and understand the emotions and psychological factors driving their financial decisions,” explains Vicky Reynal. “Even those who are financially literate can struggle with emotional issues related to money.”

Making Money Accessible and Beneficial

Reynal’s book breaks down complex psychological concepts into accessible language, making it easy for readers to understand and apply the principles to their own lives. It covers a wide range of topics, including the impact of emotional issues on spending, the role of money in addressing low moods, and the importance of financial self-awareness.

“Over 50% of the population is anxious about their finances, often due to irrational beliefs and emotional issues,” Reynal notes. “My book helps people change the way they think about money and act with it, fostering better financial habits and reducing anxiety.”

Innovation and Impact

“Money on Your Mind” introduces the innovative concept of Financial Emotional Awareness, a term coined by Reynal herself. This concept goes beyond traditional behavioural finance by inviting readers to explore how their unique experiences, even those unrelated to money, shape their financial habits.

“In this intriguing book, Vicky leads her readers on an incredible voyage of financial self-discovery with plenty of ‘aha’ moments about how we could make more mindful choices with our money,” endorses Claer Barrett of the Financial Times.

Reynal’s approach is particularly beneficial for those who feel isolated by their money worries. By addressing money as a taboo subject and encouraging open discussions, the book creates a supportive environment for readers to explore their financial behaviours.

“People can feel very alone with their money worries and shame because money remains a taboo,” Reynal explains. “This book provides a safe space to talk about money and learn to think about it differently.”

Closing the Gender Gap

Reynal also addresses gender-specific issues in her book, recognising the unconscious financial patterns many women follow due to traditional gender roles. By encouraging readers to question these patterns, “Money on Your Mind” empowers women to take control of their financial decisions.

“In the book, I invite women to become aware of and change financial behaviours that may not align with their personal goals,” says Reynal. “This is an essential step towards closing the gender pay and retirement gaps.”

Testimonials: Real Stories of Change

The impact of “Money on Your Mind” is evident in the positive feedback from readers and experts alike. Adam Atler, a best-selling author, praises the book as “essential reading for anyone who has ever earned, spent, or saved money.”

Another reader shared, “I never knew I could talk about money in therapy. I never thought someone would understand.” This testimonial underscores the book’s effectiveness in making financial emotional awareness accessible and relatable.

Expanding Financial Literacy

Looking ahead, Reynal aims to continue spreading the message of financial emotional awareness through various platforms. She writes a weekly column in the Daily Mail, reaching a growing readership, and plans to offer more resources and support through her website.

“We hope this book will inspire more people to explore their financial behaviours and make positive changes,” says Michael Gilmore, co-founder of the MAIAs. “By understanding the psychology behind their financial habits, readers can achieve better financial health and well-being.”