7 things comedian Mark Watson taught me about money

January is when everyone optimistically pledges that they’re going to “get on top of their finances” but almost a week in, we might not be making any moves on that just yet.

That is why I was delighted to see the two episodes of the Mouthy Money podcast I guest edited last month with the lovely Chris Tuite released out into the world.

They include two entertainingly honest interviews with creative Sian Docksey and award-winning stand up comedian Mark Watson.

Mark's been a contestant on Taskmaster, and he's also appeared on Have I Got News For You and Would I Lie To You among others. He's also a novelist, radio presenter, and briefly appeared on Netflix's Baby Reindeer.

Putting this podcast on while you crack through your to-do list is a great way to make a start on your money resolutions; not with unrealistic resets, but with honest conversations about how money really behaves in a cost of living crisis, especially when your income is messy, late, unpredictable or all three.

Mark also covers whether a career in the arts is viable – so if you’re thinking of turning your side hustle into your main hustle, there may be some gold for you.

Here are my favourite bits from the most recent episode with Mark, plus the lessons worth stealing. And no, we didn’t wear matching Christmas jumpers deliberately.

1. If your income is erratic, your system matters more than your motivation

One line from Mark Watson sums up freelance life perfectly: “Money comes in such erratic, weird ways.”

Some gigs pay months later, and some payments arrive in dribs and drabs. Some weeks you feel fine, other weeks you’re suddenly doing mental arithmetic in the supermarket. Whether you’re a freelancer or juggling jobs and hustles to make ends meet, this will resonate.

The takeaway:

Stop relying on vibes. Build a buffer, even if it’s small.

2. You don’t have the money until it’s actually in your account

One of the most relatable parts of the conversation was Mark talking about mentally spending money before it had landed – something almost everyone has been guilty of at some point or another.

Offers float around, fees are mentioned, you’ve listed 10 items on Vinted and you think, “great, that’s sorted”… but it isn’t sorted until that cash is in your account and ready to use.

The takeaway:

Never budget based on maybes. Treat future payments as hypothetical until cleared. This one habit alone can save you a lot of stress down the line.

3. Visibility does not equal wealth (and that myth needs to die)

Even being on TV, radio or stage does not automatically mean someone is financially secure. Mark was refreshingly honest about how long it took to move from scraping by to stability – and even then, how uneven it can be.

The takeaway:

Don’t compare your personal finances to someone else’s shiny shop window. Income and cashflow are two very different things, and appearances are often misleading.

4. There is a moment when you enter “the adult money era”

Mark describes moving to London, renting properly, and realising he was officially in “the adult world now”. The phase of winging it has to end sometime.

The takeaway:

If your life costs more now, your money habits have to grow up too. That’s not failure – it’s progression.

5. Tax will catch you eventually, so meet it halfway

The turning point for Mark was VAT registration – the moment bluffing stopped being an option and proper money admin had to begin. He calls VAT “the biggest pain ever devised by mankind”, which is arguably a somewhat melodramatic take, but also accurate – particularly at this time of year when Self Assessment looms large and you’re rummaging through a year’s worth of crumpled receipts.

The takeaway:

If you’re self-employed, get an accountant as soon as it makes sense. Budget for tax like it’s a bill, not a future inconvenience.

6. Someone will always come along to take your money – don’t postpone all joy

One of my favourite bits of advice from the episode was what Mark tells his son when it comes to management of money and moderation : most of the biggest costs in life are things you don’t even want – boilers, bathrooms, repairs – but they’ll take your money anyway.

So if you’re agonising over £20 or £30 on something you’ll actually enjoy, and you can afford it, there’s a case for going for it – life is short and for living.

The takeaway:

Balance matters. Financial responsibility does not require misery. Sustainable habits include enjoyment.

7. January is a great review point – but it doesn’t have to be a hard line cut off point

Looking back at both episodes now they’re live, what I love most is that they don’t promise transformation, they offer clarity. They normalise messy money and remind you that progress comes from small, manageable steps.

If your income is predictable, you’ll still get valuable advice (and laughs)

If your income is chaotic, you’ll probably feel very seen.

If you ever wondered about the arts, hopefully you’ll be inspired.

Both guest-edited episodes of Mouthy Money are now available to watch on YouTube below.

If you’re easing into the new year and want money advice that feels grounded, honest and actually usable – start there, beyond my guest appearances there are so many brilliant other episodes dealing with everything from ISAs to home buying.

And you can tick ‘getting started on getting to grips with money’ off your to-do list. You are welcome.