Want to take control of your finances without doing it alone? In this episode of the Get Rich Slow Club, Tash is joined by finance commentator Emma Edwards to unpack why talking about money with trusted friends can be a game-changer. From shame to strategy, these chats can shift everything.

Money is often one of the last things people talk about openly, even with close friends. But according to Tash and Emma, that silence might be holding us back financially.

In this episode, they explore the idea that connection and community are critical ingredients for building financial confidence, and how simply having “finance friends” might be the ultimate money hack.

Your financial comfort zone starts early

Our attitudes toward money don’t appear out of nowhere. As Emma points out: “Your money beliefs start to form by the age of seven, and then you just kind of feed into that existing narrative with everything you experience.”

This means many of our financial habits – good or bad – stem from long-held beliefs shaped by upbringing. If you grew up with scarcity, that can colour how you view wealth, debt, and risk well into adulthood.

To grow beyond this, Emma suggests that talking about money with people from different walks of life can help challenge limiting beliefs and even ease personal shame around past mistakes.

Talking money builds confidence

One of the main ways to break out of old money patterns, the hosts argue, is through connection. That’s a big part of why they’re launching their “Money Sleepover Retreat” – an event designed to foster open, non-judgemental conversations about finances.

"You're going to have that space to build really meaningful connections," says Emma. And that doesn’t just mean revealing your savings balance . It means discussing bigger-picture questions like what kind of life you want to build and how money plays a role in getting there.

Tash notes that simply being around people who are open about money creates a ripple effect. “If someone's doing something cool, you can ask: 'how do you fund that? Tell me all about it'.”

Why silence around money can be harmful

When people don’t talk about money, they often operate with incomplete or incorrect assumptions. Emma admits she made early career mistakes partly because she didn’t understand salary disparities.

“I genuinely didn’t realise that… there was such a vastness in what you could earn because people don’t talk about it,” she says.

Without open dialogue, young professionals might accept low pay, accumulate debt, or miss out on career opportunities – not due to lack of talent, but lack of information.

What you don’t know can cost you

Even small financial wins can hinge on having the right people to talk to. Tash shares how she once got a fine for late tax payment but was told she could just call and ask for it to be waived. “I called and they gave me a refund," she says.

Emma had a similar experience with a surprise medical bill. After venting on social media, someone advised her not to pay it without questioning the charge.

These moments highlight how finance friends can offer practical knowledge that’s often absent from formal education or online resources.

Sharing helps normalise the ups and downs

Talking about money keeps financial matters front-of-mind, not just during tax season or when you’re broke.

“You messaged me and said: 'Oh my God, my shares are going up, what do I do?'” Tash says. That kind of ongoing dialogue can help people take action, whether it's investing or reworking a budget.

But more importantly, it also normalises the harder times. Emma points out, “We conceal what’s going on in our finances if things are bad.”

Yet sharing those struggles while they’re happening can lead to real-time support and solutions.

Community support matters more than you think

Money challenges often go hand-in-hand with emotional stress. But Emma reminds listeners that “community can help you through that... either through non-monetary support or emotional support or advice.”

Just having someone to talk to during financial hardship can help you see options you didn’t know were available. Tash adds, “There’s so many things you could have asked for that you didn’t know about.”

Whether it’s a government service, a debt relief option, or just encouragement to make a call, your finance friends might hold the key to unlocking it.

Assumptions and shame keep us isolated

People often judge others – sometimes unfairly – when they don’t know the full picture. “People that we perceive to have more money might trigger resentment from us,” Emma says.

But someone earning a high salary might also be dealing with massive obligations like student loans , caregiving costs, or a large mortgage.

Tash puts it simply: “If you don’t know to suggest a cheaper activity, or to not pressure someone for a group gift, it’s easy to get mad at them.”

Honest conversations reduce misunderstandings and make social situations less stressful for everyone involved.

We expect ourselves to be good at money

One of the reasons people avoid talking about money is the assumption that everyone else has it figured out.

“We’re expected to be able to do it,” Emma says, “even though statistically the majority of people aren’t great at managing it.”

This pressure fuels shame and prevents people from asking for help or admitting mistakes. It’s a cycle that isolates people and delays progress, especially for those already struggling.

Business owners talk about money more, but not everyone can

Emma and Tash both acknowledge that as business owners, they’re forced to talk about money. Managing cash flow, invoicing, and tax obligations makes financial discussions unavoidable.

“With a job, it's possible to form a false sense of security,” says Tash. That can make employees less likely to pay attention to their money until something goes wrong, like a redundancy or a large unexpected bill.

Business owners, on the other hand, are always bracing for irregular income or late payments. That heightened awareness makes them more likely to discuss money and seek advice regularly.

Safe spaces encourage better conversations

So, how can people start talking about money if it feels awkward or taboo? Emma believes that facilitated spaces like retreats or workshops make a big difference.

“The conversation starters that we’re using have boundaries built in,” she explains. This way, participants know they won’t be asked to overshare or sit uncomfortably through someone else doing so.

When everyone in the room is there to be open, the conversation flows more naturally. It also reduces the risk of someone shutting down a discussion because they’re not ready, which can make others retreat, too.

Finance friends create accountability and possibility

At the end of the day, finance friends help you stay on track. Whether it’s someone checking in on a money goal or a friend sharing how they reached a new income milestone, those stories become blueprints.

“It’s nice to have your friends say things like: 'How’s this thing going that you said you were going to do?'” Tash says. That nudge, she believes, can be the difference between dreaming and doing.

Finance friends also widen your view of what’s possible. “It’s been helpful in terms of knowing what to charge,” Tash notes, especially when running a business or negotiating pay. Without those conversations, people often undervalue themselves simply because they didn’t know better.

Open up, level up

We often think of wealth-building as an individual journey – tight budgets, side hustles , long-term investing. But this episode of the Get Rich Slow Club reminds us that money is also social. Whether you’re discussing salary transparency , swapping tax advice, or venting about a surprise bill, these conversations matter.

Finance friends aren’t about bragging rights or spreadsheets. They’re the people who help you understand the game, break free from shame, and take the next step – whatever that looks like for you.

As Emma puts it: “You can’t be what you can’t see.” And sometimes, seeing what’s possible starts with simply talking about it.

If this episode sparked something in you, give it a five-star rating, drop a review, or better yet, share it with a friend. And if you're just starting out, the first ten episodes will get the financial gears turning. Follow us at @getrichslowclub and catch our personal updates at @tashinvest or @anakresina.

Happy investing!