Tne Tax Man is Coming!
Tne Tax Man is Coming!

J Hirtle The Last Storyteller

Host Jim Hirtle talks with CPA and author Nancy Binet about debt despair, money shame and the story-based lessons in *Tame Your Money Monster*. Their conversation focuses on intention, responsibility and small practical steps to regain control of finances.

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33:54•15 Apr 2026

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Taming Your Money Monster: Debt, Shame and Taking Charge of Your Finances

Episode Overview

Admitting you are in financial trouble is the crucial first step to change and relief.
Intent, a clear plan, and consistent daily action can dramatically speed up debt repayment.
Money problems are strongly tied to emotions and childhood beliefs, so addressing those patterns matters.
Taking responsibility for your situation frees you to solve it, regardless of who caused the problem.
Helping loved ones by teaching them about money is more effective than simply bailing them out.

“"It doesn't matter whose fault it is. It doesn't matter if life is unfair. I had to face this is where I am and it's my responsibility to clean it up."”

What drives someone to seek a life without financial fear? This conversation between host Jim Hirtle and CPA-turned-author Nancy Binet zeroes in on money shame, debt despair, and how a simple story can help people finally face their "money monster". Nancy explains how her book *Tame Your Money Monster* follows Edie, a woman "drowning in debt" who feels she "cannot see any light".

Edie is inspired by Nancy’s own daughter, who once came to her in tears saying, "Mom, I'm drowning in debt. I'm drowning." Instead of bailing her out, Nancy chose to teach her, helping her clear her credit card debt in just a few months through intention, a clear plan, and consistent action. The chat pulls back the curtain on how deeply emotions and upbringing shape money habits.

Nancy shares her own rock-bottom moment: four small children, no job, $100 a week in child support, and $650,000 of debt, and how taking full responsibility was the turning point. As she puts it, "It doesn't matter whose fault it is...

I had to face this is where I am and it's my responsibility to clean it up." You’ll also hear how money issues mirror other struggles people face in recovery: secrecy, shame, self-blame, and the fear of asking for help. Nancy talks honestly about the embarrassment people feel around finances and why admitting "I'm not okay. I need help" is such a powerful first step.

With gentle humour and plenty of practical realism (no "magic potion", no fourth job required), this episode is well suited to anyone whose financial stress feeds into their anxiety, sobriety worries, or general sense of being overwhelmed. If you’ve ever dreaded opening the post, this might be the nudge that helps you start taming your own money monster — one small, deliberate step at a time.

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