The hidden ways you’re being nudged to spend with Chris Kohler
It’s time for this month’s Prime Time Book Club episode, and this one might just change the way you look at your everyday spending.
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BOOK CLUB: The hidden ways you’re being nudged to spend with Chris Kohler
It’s time for this month’s Prime Time Book Club episode, and this one might just change the way you look at your everyday spending.
Our April Book of the Month was How They Get You by Chris Kohler - a brilliant, slightly unsettling look at all the ways modern life quietly nudges us to spend more money. From subscriptions to loyalty programs, food delivery and even the way we pay.
These are all things we use every day… but rarely stop to question.
And what’s fascinating is, many of these systems didn’t always work the way they do now. They’ve evolved quickly, and often in ways that benefit businesses far more than consumers.
I’m joined by Chris himself to discuss how it all works; how companies get into our habits, our decisions, and ultimately… our wallets - and what you can do about it.
It’s one of those episodes where you’ll find yourself thinking, “I do that… I never realised why.”
You can find a copy of ‘How They Get You’ at all good book retailers & online here.
LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE OF THE PODCAST HERE:
Highlights of the conversation:
The rise of the subscription economy: What started as convenience has turned into multiple ongoing payments that can quickly add up over time.
Why convenience often costs more than we think: From food delivery to digital platforms, the easier option is often the more expensive one.
What’s really happening behind food delivery apps: Restaurants, customers and delivery drivers all pay a price, while platforms take a significant cut from every order.
The hidden cost of loyalty programs: They’re not “free” - you’re exchanging your data and purchasing behaviour for relatively small rewards.
The rise of shrinkflation and “skimp-flation”: Products getting smaller while prices stay the same (or rise) is one of the most common ways we experience inflation today.
Why paying with cash changes how you spend: The physical act of handing over money creates friction, which can help with budgeting and spending awareness.
The reality of petrol pricing in Australia: The fuel price cycle creates large price differences, even between stations just a few kilometres apart.
Why we’re losing the “old way” of doing things: Many industries are removing analogue options, making it harder to avoid fees, subscriptions and data tracking.
The most practical takeaway: Be an active consumer. Set aside time once or twice a year to review your financial setup. Review your subscriptions, shop around, and make more deliberate choices about where your money goes.
From Bec’s Desk
It’s Prime Time day again - Thursdays are my favourite day of the week. And OMG Chris Kohler is just so good to listen to (and read!). I really enjoyed reading his book and making this show.
This week I’m in Perth, speaking at an event before doing a mad-dash home (on the red eye - ugh!) to be there for my year-12 sons Mother-Son Brekky. Important milestones! My last year-12-er. Lots of ‘lasts’ this year. Alongside it, I’m doing my own retirement planning - 10 years ahead of my flex-goal-timelines. But more on that in another show.
Alongside that, my 22 year old daughter, Paris, and I have been making TikToks and videos for her generation about how to save, invest and buy their first home - through her lens of what’s relevant today. It’s such a fun project and I’m thrilled many of our Prime Timers are writing to me, telling me they too are working with their kids on their financial literacy, using our videos and sitting with them to explain things. We’re calling it An.Epic.Start (just search for that on TikTok or Instagram and you’ll find us).
And finally, this weekend I’ll be signing books for our massive sending of welcome packs for the next How to Have an Epic Retirement Flagship Course that kicks off on the 14th May. It’s our biggest course yet - hundreds and hundreds of attendees! We’ll be closing the Earlybird 25% off deal this weekend. So if you’ve been on the sidelines thinking ‘I’m not sure’ - don’t delay. The price jumps from $374 to $499 next week - and I want you all to enjoy the discount. What do you get?
6 weeks of structured, well-organised education designed to walk you through the big lessons everyone needs to navigate as they approach and make decisions about retirement. (100 lessons, structured into 15 modules)
A 170 page print and digital workbook, mailed to you
A signed copy of the new edition of How to Have an Epic Retirement
6 Live Q&A Events, held on Monday evenings each week with some of Australia’s most respected retirement experts
Challenges and quizzes to bring the program to life.
It’s a great way to really learn about all the choices you have, and to shape your plans for the future, without pressure. So - want to learn more, here’s the website. Head to www.epicretirement.net/upcoming-courses to learn more, download a brochure and book your place.
And enjoy my show with Chris Kohler’s this week - he’s great! Thanks for listening! Cheers Bec Xx
I fucking love Chris’ work. He is able to poke fun at such seriousness without undermining it.