Money Talks

I’ve spent most of the last decade talking to normal people about their financial lives. I’ve heard it all—from the ambitious 20-somethings juggling side hustles and university degrees, to the mothers worried they’ve fallen for a pyramid scheme, to desperate people who are changing their phone number every three months to dodge the calls of debt collectors. I’ve listened to the stories of shame and fear, but also stories of hope and resilience in a difficult economy.

Here’s the truth: we don’t talk about money enough, even though it impacts everything—from the decisions you make, to how well you sleep at night. And in a world that’s more complex than ever, many people feel like money's a terrifying topic.

But here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be.

Talks That Make Money Simple (and Maybe Even Fun)

Whether you’re an employee trying to stretch your paycheque further in a cost of living crisis, an entrepreneur balancing business and personal finances, or a young person trying to understand the basics, I’m here to help. I'm not here to throw jargon at you or bore you with charts. Instead, I'll share real, relatable stories and no-nonsense advice, all tailored to your workplace, school, club, or conference. My aim is to give you simple, practical tips you can start using today, and (dare I say it) even try to make you laugh.

Here’s a snapshot of the talks I offer:

Five Money Myths

Popular at workplaces

A fast, high-energy talk that takes down the most common myths we’ve been fed about money. Learn why buying a house (probably) won’t make you rich, why budgeting can be easier than you think, and the one super-simple investment everyone should be making. Perfect for anyone who’s tired of the same old financial advice and wants to approach money with fresh eyes.

• Duration: 60 minutes, or 90 minutes with Q&A
• Content can be (slightly) tailored for the audience demographic

The Fundamentals of Money

Popular at schools

A fun, profanity-free talk about the basic principles of money aimed at teens aged 13 - 18. Designed to be short and funny enough to appeal to even the most easily distracted teen.

• Duration: 30-minutes (for assemblies/large groups), or 60-minutes (with Q&A, for up to 80 students)
• Content can be tailored for the age group

Money for Entrepreneurs, Freelancers, Artists, and Other Misfits

Popular with entrepreneurship clubs and freelancer/artist organisations

A talk especially tailored to the unique financial lives of artists, entrepreneurs, freelancers and small business owners. Whether you’re navigating the ups and downs (and downs and downs) of irregular cash flow, unsure whether traditional retirement savings products have any relevance for you, or just trying to balance your personal and business finances, this talk will give you simple, practical tips you can start using today.

• Live 60 or 90-minute session, with a long Q&A driven by audience questions
• Tailored to the type of audience

Banishing Debt

Popular with small groups of friends

Feeling buried in debt? This interactive workshop helps you take control. I break down the psychology of debt, how to handle it without losing your mind, and proven strategies to dig yourself out. You’ll leave with an actionable plan to get started today.

• Duration: 90 minutes
• Tailored to groups of any size, but works best with less than 8 people

What you can expect from my talks

• Relatable Stories & Real Talk: I don’t throw jargon at you—I give it to you straight, with stories that hit home.
• Objective & Trustworthy: I'm not here to sell you things. Unlike brokers and finance industry-insiders, I don't get commissions from signing you up for financial products.
• Practical Takeaways: You’ll leave with actionable tips, not just theory. My aim is to get you to take one or two big steps that make a real difference.
• Customised for Your Audience: Whether your team is mostly 20somethings just starting out or high-flying business owners, I adapt the content to your specific needs.
• A Little Humour: Let’s face it, money can be stressful. But it doesn’t have to be boring.

Rates

Rates for the talks above are standard and non-negotiable, and I reserve the right to change them at any time.

• 30/45-minute session: R17,000 / £800
• 60-minute session: R20,000 / £900
• 90-minute session: R24,000 / £1,100

I'm very happy to quote you on crafting a unique talk, if you need something different to one of my standard talks.

Most of my talks are online. If you want me to visit you in person, there will be an additional fee covering travel costs and the extra time. I am normally based in London but I'm in South Africa a few times a year.

I do offer discounts to non-profits and public schools on a discretionary basis. Get in touch with me to discuss.

Book a talk

Ready to get serious about money? Great!

Step 1: Contact me using the button below, and let me know what kind of talk you’re interested in.

Step 2: We’ll have a quick chat to discuss the details (your audience, needs, etc.) and confirm the booking.

Step 3: Sit back and relax—I’ll handle the rest.

See me talking

"How to buy a private island" - a serious-ish talk about my own financial journey from TEDx Cape Town.

"Wants vs. Needs" - a shorter, funnier talk about whether buying everything you want will make you happy.

PSG Think Big Series - a Q&A with financial journalist Alishia Seckam about the future of managing personal finances in a Gen Z world.

About Sam

Sam Beckbessinger is an author, speaker, fintech entrepreneur and personal finance dork who is passionate about helping regular people feel more comfortable talking about their money. Her bestselling book, Manage Your Money Like a F-cking Grownup, has been helping people take control of their finances in six countries. She’s also a novelist, cartoon screenwriter, and has published three picture books for young children. She gets way too excited about spreadsheets.

With years of experience advising fintech startups, banks, and asset managers on how to engage with real people around their finances, Sam is known for her relatable style, no-nonsense advice, and unapologetic sense of humour.

FAQs

Do you offer customised talks?

Absolutely! I can lightly tailor any of my standard talks to meet your team's needs. If you need something different, I can put a quote together for you. Get in touch to chat.

Can we record the session?

I’m usually happy to accommodate as long as the recording will only be used internally, but do discuss this with me beforehand. If you want to use the recording externally or in marketing materials, I'll need to put together a unique quote for you.