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Money Wise: Aam Aadmi's Guide to Wealth and Financial Freedom
Do you obsess about money and yet not talk about it with parents or friends - and barely enough with the spouse? Do you worry about how much you have, how much you need, what you need to do to get more of it? The world of money is bewildering. The biggest investment you will ever make is towards your financial education - and this easy-to-read guide provides just that. It answers vital questions such as: Where does money come from? Why do prices go up every year? How do I get out of debt? Should I invest in the stock market? What is the value of gold in our financial system? How do I make my investment portfolio shock-proof? Practical, fun and straight to the point, Money Wise will equip you with the tools to manage your money with confidence and competence.
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2015
22 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Sharath Komarraju
134 books214 followersSharath Komarraju is an author of fiction and nonfiction based in Bangalore, India. Once a software engineer, now he writes for a living, and on lazy days he watches cricket and talks to his wife (often at the same time).
His most popular work to date is the Hastinapur series, in which he speaks into the silences of the Mahabharata story through the epic's many women characters.
His most popular work to date is the Hastinapur series, in which he speaks into the silences of the Mahabharata story through the epic's many women characters.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 20, 2015
Very rarely does one come across a book in the self help genre which is not preachy and uses extremely simple and layman terms to explain the subject at hand, and at the same time educate the readers about the subject itself.
Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
Detailed review put up at https://mahabore.wordpress.com/2015/0...
September 10, 2016
As the author himself mentions in his introduction, discussing money matters is still taboo in many families. In my case, simple reason being, I don't understand them! This book was a huge help in that aspect. Sharath has simplified it to a layman's terms and made it very easy to make that first attempt, to at least try to understand money and its working.
August 23, 2016
Its a good book for anyone who wants to understand about aspects of money.
Good starter.
Good starter.
Read
September 2, 2016Very informative and useful book that can be referred again and again. Each and every concept has been narrated in a simple english, which is an added advantage to the reader.
November 8, 2017
I would want to recommend this book to everyone I meet. I have not seen anyone explaining financial terms so clearly.
Each chapter is a gem, infact I would want Sharath to more on each subject .
The language is simple, apt and includes all the necessary guidelines.
After reading his other novels I was wondering how this book would turn out to be, but I found it very informative. Only after reading it I got to know why all the currencies in the world are compared with USD and why gold is precious.
Wish he writes more on this.
Each chapter is a gem, infact I would want Sharath to more on each subject .
The language is simple, apt and includes all the necessary guidelines.
After reading his other novels I was wondering how this book would turn out to be, but I found it very informative. Only after reading it I got to know why all the currencies in the world are compared with USD and why gold is precious.
Wish he writes more on this.
March 15, 2019
A simple and informative book every person should read. Author's take on core concepts of investments and money in general in the book is very simple, clear and neutral. Although the book is focused towards six-sigma of the earning population - the ordinary, average and mostly salaried employees, the book would clear out many doubts about fundamentals of finances that one may have. Recommended.
April 17, 2020
I recommend every youngster you read this book. We are bound to know these things from childhood but unfortunately our education systems focus on life-spoiling marks and not on life-saving skills. If it weren't for money and to know about it, what are we earning for ?
A must read.
A must read.
October 10, 2020
Describes a simple and easy to understand framework for a comment man in India to invest and be financially free. A very no-nonsense conclusion and sets good expectations among all investment classes.
September 14, 2017
A book for beginners to have a very basic idea of money management and wealth creation. Doesn't go too deep in any of the topics.
December 8, 2017
Good reference guide for. Ommon man
A person who wants to invest his money nicely, should read this. It will really help in planning and investing in the most beneficial way.
A person who wants to invest his money nicely, should read this. It will really help in planning and investing in the most beneficial way.
February 16, 2022
It's a little bit too conservative for my taste. But for a novice cautious investor it's a good starting point.
March 17, 2017
Must read for everyone. A perfect value and productive reading.
Its for all particularly the young who would immensely benefit from it by developing a financial discipline for themselves. Excellent
Its for all particularly the young who would immensely benefit from it by developing a financial discipline for themselves. Excellent
May 31, 2015
Content: Ever wondered what the ‘Gold reserves’ are and why they are so important? How governments print money? Well then it’s time you put your mind at ease for here is a book that will give you the answers to these as well as many more such questions that tickle your mind/ trouble you.
A simple, easy to understand financial guide devoid of mind-boggling financial jargon, peppered with some wonderful and simple, straight to the point examples, the book deals with the basics of personal finance and introduces the reader to the various types of assets and their importance in the economy as well as the lives of the common man. The book is an answer to many a question troubling the layman regarding the financial system, its working and how to manage his personal finances and money.
The book also gives an insight into how the layman is easily cheated. Take for example the term ‘inflation’. To him ‘inflation’ simply means rising prices. But Have do you know that inflation is actually a tax on the poor in favour of the rich? If not, open your eyes. Read what Sharath has to say on the subject. His explanation is not only interesting but believable too. It’s an eye-opener.
.
As we near the sun-set of our lives we worry about the future. We wonder whether the money at hand will last till w e breath our last. We are often at our wits end when it comes to planning for a rainy day or life post- retirement. We wonder how to take full advantage of our money so that it multiplies over a period of time. But maybe what we are looking for is right there in the book. Sharath has provided some truly useful tips on money-management.
Intricate subjects such as personal finance, portfolio allocation, asset classification, etc. are dealt with ease and presented keeping the layman in mind thus making it an useful and informative read.
In short, a lot of ground (financial) is covered in just a few pages and that too with ease making it light and interesting.
Language & Style: Generally the problem with financial books/ self help books is that they are either either heavily loaded with complex terms or are not able to hold the attention of the reader for a long time at a single sitting. But here we have a book where the language is simple (aam aadmi style) and conversational in nature. Peppered with nuggets of wisdom here and there, this book is anything but boring.
A simple, easy to understand financial guide devoid of mind-boggling financial jargon, peppered with some wonderful and simple, straight to the point examples, the book deals with the basics of personal finance and introduces the reader to the various types of assets and their importance in the economy as well as the lives of the common man. The book is an answer to many a question troubling the layman regarding the financial system, its working and how to manage his personal finances and money.
The book also gives an insight into how the layman is easily cheated. Take for example the term ‘inflation’. To him ‘inflation’ simply means rising prices. But Have do you know that inflation is actually a tax on the poor in favour of the rich? If not, open your eyes. Read what Sharath has to say on the subject. His explanation is not only interesting but believable too. It’s an eye-opener.
.
As we near the sun-set of our lives we worry about the future. We wonder whether the money at hand will last till w e breath our last. We are often at our wits end when it comes to planning for a rainy day or life post- retirement. We wonder how to take full advantage of our money so that it multiplies over a period of time. But maybe what we are looking for is right there in the book. Sharath has provided some truly useful tips on money-management.
Intricate subjects such as personal finance, portfolio allocation, asset classification, etc. are dealt with ease and presented keeping the layman in mind thus making it an useful and informative read.
In short, a lot of ground (financial) is covered in just a few pages and that too with ease making it light and interesting.
Language & Style: Generally the problem with financial books/ self help books is that they are either either heavily loaded with complex terms or are not able to hold the attention of the reader for a long time at a single sitting. But here we have a book where the language is simple (aam aadmi style) and conversational in nature. Peppered with nuggets of wisdom here and there, this book is anything but boring.
July 4, 2025
I am a reader with a history of failed attempts to get financial knowledge from books that claimed to be able to enlighten me. Most books either had me overwhelmed with details and jargon or put me to sleep within the first few pages. Therefore, I started reading the book with a healthy dose of skepticism on how much Sharath would be able to teach me - an absolute novice to the world of economics - in a matter of 220 pages.
The skepticism evaporated within the first few pages when I suddenly realized that I had obtained a conceptual understanding of gold standards, fiat currency and inflation, all within the first few pages of reading this book. There was no looking back after that as the author takes the reader on a breezy journey of the world of personal finance taking special care to point out the common pitfalls and leads the reader gently around them.
Sharath makes generous use of analogies and examples to explain concepts like bonds and leverage that might be otherwise be slightly difficult to grasp for a layman. These qualities make this book a very readable and educating one at the same time.
One thing I felt is missing in the book is a good set of references for further reading. Especially after the amazing job the author does of whetting up the reader’s appetite for finance, there is no mention of the books or resources that the reader can go to for a deeper knowledge of specific topics.
However, that does not take anything away from the fact that this is a well written, self-sufficient book that any “aam aadmi” can pick up, read over a few days and put it back, well satisfied at having learnt the important concepts to manage his/her personal finances. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to begin wading in the oceanic world of finance and economics and is unsure of where to take the first plunge.
The skepticism evaporated within the first few pages when I suddenly realized that I had obtained a conceptual understanding of gold standards, fiat currency and inflation, all within the first few pages of reading this book. There was no looking back after that as the author takes the reader on a breezy journey of the world of personal finance taking special care to point out the common pitfalls and leads the reader gently around them.
Sharath makes generous use of analogies and examples to explain concepts like bonds and leverage that might be otherwise be slightly difficult to grasp for a layman. These qualities make this book a very readable and educating one at the same time.
One thing I felt is missing in the book is a good set of references for further reading. Especially after the amazing job the author does of whetting up the reader’s appetite for finance, there is no mention of the books or resources that the reader can go to for a deeper knowledge of specific topics.
However, that does not take anything away from the fact that this is a well written, self-sufficient book that any “aam aadmi” can pick up, read over a few days and put it back, well satisfied at having learnt the important concepts to manage his/her personal finances. Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who wishes to begin wading in the oceanic world of finance and economics and is unsure of where to take the first plunge.
September 13, 2016
It was after a long time that I finally read a finance book cover to cover and within a short time too. What really worked for me was that Money Wise is written with immense clarity and attempts to approach each aspect of finance with first understanding it thoroughly from ground up and then building on this knowledge. My immediate thought was that I need to share this information with my family members, so that doubts in finance can be tackled head-on. Sure enough, as soon as I finished reading this book, I gave it to my brother to read it and asked him to pass it on. This information needs to be shared and the more friends and family get to read books like Money Wise, the more the overall ambiguity about finance and finance-related issues will get resolved.
Improvement suggestion: I felt that the retirement corpus calculation part was very sketchily put forth. Considering that many of the readers (including myself) are fast approaching (or have already approached) this important milestone in life, it would have made immense sense for the author to include a focused chapter on this topic, as this is a burning issue at the back of the mind of every person thinking of finances during the retirement phase of life. My hope is that the next edition has a separate chapter on retirement finance and that it delves in intricate depth on the various methodologies that one could take advantage of to come to grips with creating and rolling out a retirement corpus.
Improvement suggestion: I felt that the retirement corpus calculation part was very sketchily put forth. Considering that many of the readers (including myself) are fast approaching (or have already approached) this important milestone in life, it would have made immense sense for the author to include a focused chapter on this topic, as this is a burning issue at the back of the mind of every person thinking of finances during the retirement phase of life. My hope is that the next edition has a separate chapter on retirement finance and that it delves in intricate depth on the various methodologies that one could take advantage of to come to grips with creating and rolling out a retirement corpus.
June 7, 2015
I think everyone comes out of this book wiser. For me personally, this one couldn't have come at a better time. Sharath Komarraju deftly dissects the investment landscape and provides us more than adequate information to start our own research into what kind of investment suits us best.
If you ever wondered about money, where it comes from, and how do you redeem control over it - then this one's a must read. I liked how the author starts off with the history of money and how it works in the society - a lot of which I wasn't aware of. He then moves on to discussing general aspects of money management before delving into the specific investment options.
The book lays down all the information you would need to get you started and never tries to cram any advice down your throat. As Sharath says time and again, as investors we are entitled to the amount of risk we wanna take and that in the end, only we can decide how much or where we wanna invest. A word has also to be said about the presentation which is lucid and never gets too bogged down by terminology.
So, if you're thinking of starting your investment portfolio or already have but feel lost, then this should be your go-to book!
If you ever wondered about money, where it comes from, and how do you redeem control over it - then this one's a must read. I liked how the author starts off with the history of money and how it works in the society - a lot of which I wasn't aware of. He then moves on to discussing general aspects of money management before delving into the specific investment options.
The book lays down all the information you would need to get you started and never tries to cram any advice down your throat. As Sharath says time and again, as investors we are entitled to the amount of risk we wanna take and that in the end, only we can decide how much or where we wanna invest. A word has also to be said about the presentation which is lucid and never gets too bogged down by terminology.
So, if you're thinking of starting your investment portfolio or already have but feel lost, then this should be your go-to book!
June 3, 2015
There have been many money management/wealth creation books written but they are mostly suitable for western audience. Some of the concepts may hold good they do not apply to Indian audience and most essentially the salaried middle-class Indian segment. Moneywise by Sharath has decided to tackle this problem. And he has done so in a simple and efficient manner. The book starts with an introduction about money and economy in general. After setting a gradual pace, the author delves slowly into different asset classes and also provides ways to apply them in real life. I guess this is the first finance management book that I have read that is set up like a story. The book is well structured and is written in an easy to understand format. The concepts explained in the book should be sufficient for a majority of the target audience. I especially loved the last section of the book which is kind of a ready reckoner of all the concepts explained in the book. It is a must read for people who have never given much thought about managing their assets and also for people who would like to learn to do some course correction.
P.S: I was provided a free copy of the book for an honest review.
P.S: I was provided a free copy of the book for an honest review.
November 9, 2015
Managing money has always been a complicated process. Many of us are content enough to know that we have cash in our wallets and bank accounts. Never have we thought of the big picture or even if we tried, the subject seems too complicated to understand.
Moneywise is an attempt by Sharath to simplify the complex subject. Not everyone understands the subject the same way hence one needs a good knowledge to deliver it to different audience. I should say that the author has done a commendable job.
The book begins with an introduction of money and it's journey throughout the centuries. The power of money in today's world and the author further talks about various asset classes such as real estate, gold to name a few.
What worked for me is the simplified definitions of terms used in Money market. Unlike another books on financial management where we see figures and calculations, the author gives day to day examples which can be related and applied.
This book is definitely a great investment that I have made towards my financial education. An easy guide and would recommend if you want to understand money and its impact in our lives.
Moneywise is an attempt by Sharath to simplify the complex subject. Not everyone understands the subject the same way hence one needs a good knowledge to deliver it to different audience. I should say that the author has done a commendable job.
The book begins with an introduction of money and it's journey throughout the centuries. The power of money in today's world and the author further talks about various asset classes such as real estate, gold to name a few.
What worked for me is the simplified definitions of terms used in Money market. Unlike another books on financial management where we see figures and calculations, the author gives day to day examples which can be related and applied.
This book is definitely a great investment that I have made towards my financial education. An easy guide and would recommend if you want to understand money and its impact in our lives.
July 4, 2015
Sharath Komarraju's 'Money Wise' is an amazing book. As the title says, it's truly an Aam Aadmi's guide to wealth and financial freedom. In today's world, it has become a necessity to be financially literate. We turn to the Internet to learn about investment options and tax saving schemes. But, after reading this book, I realised that the world of money is indeed huge. And it is very important to learn about it early, so that we can plan our finances better. That is precisely what this book does. It takes you on a ride through the history of money and brings you back to today's scenario. It teaches you about the importance of planning and most importantly how to do it. What I liked about the book apart from the financial expertise, is the lucid style of writing. The writer uses simple words to convey the meaning. Very useful book for Indians.
November 24, 2015
A book on "Money" can't be written much simpler than this!
A mind opening book about Money. Deeply illustrates the values and no-values of money. Many real time illustrations used in the chapters are fabulous.The concept of " Rich gets richer and poor gets poorer " is beautifully explained. The olden and current day trends of the use of paper currencies and other forms of money is logically differentiated and put forth in accordance. It is pragmatic. It is fun. It is exhilarating.
I couldn't stop reading even a single line since it paved way to the next line more coherently. The introduction of the book lures the interest of the readers so much more. An engaging and thriving book on MONEY.
A mind opening book about Money. Deeply illustrates the values and no-values of money. Many real time illustrations used in the chapters are fabulous.The concept of " Rich gets richer and poor gets poorer " is beautifully explained. The olden and current day trends of the use of paper currencies and other forms of money is logically differentiated and put forth in accordance. It is pragmatic. It is fun. It is exhilarating.
I couldn't stop reading even a single line since it paved way to the next line more coherently. The introduction of the book lures the interest of the readers so much more. An engaging and thriving book on MONEY.
July 6, 2016
Money Wise is smart, simple, and sensible. It is a book that covers the basic essentials of managing your finances and creating wealth. It covers a lot of interesting aspects, my particular favourites being the chapters on retirement planning and investing versus saving.
What I would have loved to see more of is practical and specific tips to get started - what Sharath's covered is pretty fundamental and in some places, theoretical. That said, I feel what I am expecting is possibly material for another book!
Overall, if you've been thinking of saving and investing, but don't know where to start, this book is a good place.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway the author had hosted a while ago.
What I would have loved to see more of is practical and specific tips to get started - what Sharath's covered is pretty fundamental and in some places, theoretical. That said, I feel what I am expecting is possibly material for another book!
Overall, if you've been thinking of saving and investing, but don't know where to start, this book is a good place.
Disclaimer: I won this book in a giveaway the author had hosted a while ago.
October 12, 2016
The book is so engaging, intriguing and gripping from the first to very last page. Even if you are an expert in finance, you'll still have something to take away from Moneywise.
I'm left with one pressing question after I'm finished with the novel. Why is Financial education not given it's due place in our education system? I've never gained this amount of information from any book till date, my acads included!
If you have always wondered(just like me) why the media gets so frenzy with speculations of rate cuts whenever a meeting by RBI Governor is scheduled, then Just dwell into the book to find out.
Full Review: http://ganeshkumaranegondi.blogspot.i...
I'm left with one pressing question after I'm finished with the novel. Why is Financial education not given it's due place in our education system? I've never gained this amount of information from any book till date, my acads included!
If you have always wondered(just like me) why the media gets so frenzy with speculations of rate cuts whenever a meeting by RBI Governor is scheduled, then Just dwell into the book to find out.
Full Review: http://ganeshkumaranegondi.blogspot.i...
May 29, 2015
Most of the secrets of success lie hidden in the very simplest of truths; but most of us seek solutions that we feel have to be complex. In Money Wise, Sharath delivers powerful, comprehensive information that does not complicate the topic yet drives the reader into action! Money Wise is to the Indian common man what Tony Robbins' book Money - Master the Game was to the Americans. Money Wise reveals the historical background of various asset classes backed by well researched statistics and simple examples that cover multiple scenarios. It's a book that can have a great impact on the financial future of readers who allow it to.
August 14, 2016
Many books have been written about this subject, but a lot of them are very prosaic and do not make them a compelling read. For a layman who has no great grounding in financial management, this book is almost a must read. The young earners will do well to acquaint themselves with some basics of finance and investment world through this book and start leading a successful financial life. Even the people somewhat familiar with the concept can get a better grounding and understanding. I wish the author has dealt with the concept of systematic investment plans in this book. This appears to be a notable omission to me. Anyway I commend this book to all who would like to do well financially.
August 20, 2016
Great book for beginners in personal financial management
This was the first book I ever read on financial management. The book helps you understand the basics of personal finance. Though we keep hearing words like stock, share, inflation, deflation, budget, debts, retirement plans, etc., most of us are still unaware of how it works. Money Wise serves as a great guide to design your budgeting, investment, diversification of income, and returns. If you are someone in your 20's trying to figure out how to manage your fresh flowing income, do read this book to be money wise.
This was the first book I ever read on financial management. The book helps you understand the basics of personal finance. Though we keep hearing words like stock, share, inflation, deflation, budget, debts, retirement plans, etc., most of us are still unaware of how it works. Money Wise serves as a great guide to design your budgeting, investment, diversification of income, and returns. If you are someone in your 20's trying to figure out how to manage your fresh flowing income, do read this book to be money wise.
August 31, 2016
A complete manual of financial guidance. The simple understandable English makes it even more reader friendly. A guide to a layman like me who is naïve to even to the words like SIP. Shares, stock exchange, economy etc. Truly a much needed help for financial freedom in today’s cut throat competitive world. The importance of planning the finances has been vividly described and it will definitely be my handbook In near future for my ventures.
Thank you so much for this guidance.
i have always been your fan.
Thank you so much for this guidance.
i have always been your fan.
November 3, 2016
This is my first book on finance and I cannot say whether this is one of the best or not. I would still say that a lot of research has gone into the book and the way it has been explained with the content explained for Indian readers with foreign references is pretty good. It clearly mentions the different asset classes and how one can diversify and most importantly WHY. There is not an iota of inclination towards any asset class and that stands apart. I must admit, I certainly became wise after reading this book.
February 24, 2018
The highlights of the book for me was that the title and description of the book were perfectly justified. Many questions I had about money were satisfactorily answered.
He doesn't oversell like Kiyosaki, but tries to instead present facts and explain various scenarios that could occur. So readers aren't left building castles in the air. They become more aware, and at the same time confident enough to take baby steps in the investment space.
Recommended if you're a noob with money.
He doesn't oversell like Kiyosaki, but tries to instead present facts and explain various scenarios that could occur. So readers aren't left building castles in the air. They become more aware, and at the same time confident enough to take baby steps in the investment space.
Recommended if you're a noob with money.
Read
September 4, 2016Do you want to know become wise and know the journey of money? This is the book for you. There are many other books on this topic, no doubt, but if you are an Indian who are new to reading and investing then its worth to read this book. I have always heard about diversification but was always doing within the same asset class. The classy example of diversification in real estate but not outside has opened my eyes. A must read for any new investor
January 13, 2017
This is the first Non-Fiction book that I have read. I found this well structured and with clear instructions. Also, the author was candid about many things. After reading the book, the key takeaway was that one's attitude towards wealth play a very important.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews