Spending Scolds will tell you that a sailboat, a sports car, even a latte will be your financial ruin. Is this accurate? Focusing on the cost without considering whether you can afford the items and what memories they create is the wrong calculus. The ethos of delayed gratification can lead to missed opportunities and fear.  Why does this happen, and what can we do to avoid these poor outcomes? Carl Richards, author “The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money” speaks with Barry Ritholtz about how to spend smarter in a way that brings more joy into a lives. Each week, "At the Money" discusses an important topic in money management. From portfolio construction to taxes and cutting down on fees, join Barry Ritholtz to learn the best ways to put your money to work. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How should you think about thematic investing? What place does Gold or Bitcoin, or countries like India and Japan have in your portfolio? Jan van Eck, CEO of Van Eck Funds, which oversees $75 billion in ETFs, speaks with Barry Ritholtz about how to add an additional thematic investment to your core holdings.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.