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Money: A User’s Guide
Take control of your personal finances with this concise, timely and indispensable guide, from acclaimed money expert Laura Whateley.
Ten years on from the financial crash, and we are still bad with money.We press ‘cash only’ at ATMs, and accept that we’ll be paying back our student loans with our pension savings.
Money: A User’s Guide cuts through all the panic of personal finances. It will teach you how to get a great credit score, how to save hundreds on bills, and offer practical advice on every difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding including:
• Housing (for renters and buyers)
• Student Loans
• Pensions
• Paying off debt
• Stocks and shares
• Ethical investments
• Money and Mental health
• Money and Love
This essential book will give you the confidence and clarity to take back control of your bank account, enabling you to thrive in all areas of your life.
Ten years on from the financial crash, and we are still bad with money.We press ‘cash only’ at ATMs, and accept that we’ll be paying back our student loans with our pension savings.
Money: A User’s Guide cuts through all the panic of personal finances. It will teach you how to get a great credit score, how to save hundreds on bills, and offer practical advice on every difficult conversation you’ve been avoiding including:
• Housing (for renters and buyers)
• Student Loans
• Pensions
• Paying off debt
• Stocks and shares
• Ethical investments
• Money and Mental health
• Money and Love
This essential book will give you the confidence and clarity to take back control of your bank account, enabling you to thrive in all areas of your life.
Audiobook
First published October 4, 2018
639 people are currently reading
5751 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
July 10, 2020
Does its job brilliantly. A complete education on personal finance and written as if you are just sitting next to her in a coffee shop. Surprisingly engaging for a book on mortgages, loans and pensions. Intended audience is British millennials (which she defines as anyone born between 1980-2000), but if you are older or younger, this can still be useful!
June 23, 2021
A comprehensive guide that I actually found quite useful (made some notes and flagged some pages)- a good introduction into the world of adulting.
April 9, 2022
Everybody aged 16-50 should read this!
January 21, 2019
Before I start, let me say one thing. This is THE most comprehensive overview on money that I’ve ever read. Its also a book that I wish I read at 18 or just after leaving university.
Last August, I decided to take 2 years out of training to do locum work (basically, freelancing for doctors 😆). Despite being a professional with a useful degree, I didn’t actually know much about money outside of my pay cheque, PAYE taxes and my savings account.
Fast forward some months and I’ve learnt a lot through reading books, attending events and joining Facebook groups. I am now confident in investing in stocks and crowdfunds, tracking my spending and utilising mobile apps.
Now, everyone’s journey will be different, but we all have the very same opportunity to get better at looking after our money.
For the less informed ones out there, this book will save you from doing a lot of googling, losing out on simple gains & worst of all...making costly mistakes.
It runs through EVERYTHING. In the most relatable of waysss, she covers mortgages, renting well, buying cars & future-proofing your finances.
At times, I felt dismayed that I had started this journey in my late 20s. But as the fabulous Maya Angelou so eloquently says...once you know better, you do better. It’s a great starting point & I hope you find your way whatever your income bracket. 💰💰
Last August, I decided to take 2 years out of training to do locum work (basically, freelancing for doctors 😆). Despite being a professional with a useful degree, I didn’t actually know much about money outside of my pay cheque, PAYE taxes and my savings account.
Fast forward some months and I’ve learnt a lot through reading books, attending events and joining Facebook groups. I am now confident in investing in stocks and crowdfunds, tracking my spending and utilising mobile apps.
Now, everyone’s journey will be different, but we all have the very same opportunity to get better at looking after our money.
For the less informed ones out there, this book will save you from doing a lot of googling, losing out on simple gains & worst of all...making costly mistakes.
It runs through EVERYTHING. In the most relatable of waysss, she covers mortgages, renting well, buying cars & future-proofing your finances.
At times, I felt dismayed that I had started this journey in my late 20s. But as the fabulous Maya Angelou so eloquently says...once you know better, you do better. It’s a great starting point & I hope you find your way whatever your income bracket. 💰💰
May 4, 2019
Brilliant. Everyone should read this. Wish there'd been a book like this years ago.
dnf
January 3, 2025Cartea este scrisă mai mult pentru cei ce locuiesc în UK și multe aspecte nu se aplică aici. Din acest motiv am sărit peste câteva capitole și paragrafe, iar astfel nu o pot marca terminată.
Autoarea nu este consultant financiar, ci jurnalistă, fapt ce se vede în stilul iritant de colocvial în care scrie. Aș fi preferat să fie mai puțin text de umplutură și mai concentrată pe sfaturile practice.
Singurul capitol util a fost cel de investiții, însă fiind noțiuni de bază nu cred că va fi util decât pentru cei ce nu cunosc absolut nimic despre acest subiect.
Autoarea nu este consultant financiar, ci jurnalistă, fapt ce se vede în stilul iritant de colocvial în care scrie. Aș fi preferat să fie mai puțin text de umplutură și mai concentrată pe sfaturile practice.
Singurul capitol util a fost cel de investiții, însă fiind noțiuni de bază nu cred că va fi util decât pentru cei ce nu cunosc absolut nimic despre acest subiect.
January 14, 2020
Well written, informative book that covers many complicated areas of personal finance in an informal, easy to understand way
February 9, 2022
This isn't a bad book but I just feel that some of it was pitched at people who really had no idea about the simplest of things.
I think in my early 20's I'd have got a lot more from this. Instead I've learned a lot of what it explains, purely through my own life experience.
Positive sides are the sections on renting and buying a property and the investing side isn't too bad either, followed up by important chapters on pensions and taxes.
If you're a young adult or bad with money, this book may be worth a shot.
I think in my early 20's I'd have got a lot more from this. Instead I've learned a lot of what it explains, purely through my own life experience.
Positive sides are the sections on renting and buying a property and the investing side isn't too bad either, followed up by important chapters on pensions and taxes.
If you're a young adult or bad with money, this book may be worth a shot.
February 4, 2020
A *very* useful guide for someone as financially illiterate as me, and a really great primer on all things money - pensions, investing, mortgages, taxes etc. - my copy is annotated all over and sandwiched with sticky notes. Everything is explained in an accessible and digestible way, I'd definitely recommend to anyone feeling daunted about all that adult-ing entails.
October 13, 2025
Everyone in the UK needs to read this book
July 12, 2022
Honestly very helpful. I already knew something about a lot of these topics, but Whateley's clear and casual writing style helped me understand them all even better. And this book was a real breakthrough for me re: understanding the stock market! Transitioning this British book for an American audience wasn't entirely seamless, but still very well done and I'll definitely be returning to it as needed.
In the end, I'm really just back to missing Monzo a lot.
EDIT: Like a year ago I tried to join the beta program for Monzo US and never heard back, but I just checked and Monzo is now in the US! Setting up an account right now! This is an absolute game changer.
In the end, I'm really just back to missing Monzo a lot.
EDIT: Like a year ago I tried to join the beta program for Monzo US and never heard back, but I just checked and Monzo is now in the US! Setting up an account right now! This is an absolute game changer.
June 23, 2020
4.5 ⭐️ I feel like less of a clueless nit-wit now. Recommend to any ex-pat living in the UK who wants to get down with the finance lingo here.
January 24, 2023
I hated reading this, but it was good for me. Like, I am glad to have read it—but didn’t really enjoy it.
Not always what you want in a book, but in January I tend to be able to face money and the future a bit better. The seemingly clean slate of a new year. I’m a big believer in resolutions too—been I think five years since I drank anything? Just decided Jan 1 I was done. It’s because I get to spend the holidays alone these days (that’s right, “get to”! So many wee well-meaning people try to show up at my door and save me from the burden of beautiful solitude!! 🤣) It allows me to become all reflective before the routines start back up again.
I think I am weird with money—or certainly have been. Getting better. Anyways, I’ve made some good decisions about money recently, I think, and this book confirmed it. I’m so glad I got a good financial adviser guy at the bank finally. I’m a bit pissed off about the last woman they gave me because, if she’d bothered to show any interest or genuinely tried to explain anything to me, it might have made a difference these last few years before I thought to try it again. And maybe it wouldn’t have been so many years if I hadn’t suspected they’d make me talk to her again, haha!
Handling money is one of those things that you’re never too early or too late to get good at, I suppose—and now that I’ve sorted some shit out, I feel I’ve earned the right to read some nonsense for a while 🤪
Not always what you want in a book, but in January I tend to be able to face money and the future a bit better. The seemingly clean slate of a new year. I’m a big believer in resolutions too—been I think five years since I drank anything? Just decided Jan 1 I was done. It’s because I get to spend the holidays alone these days (that’s right, “get to”! So many wee well-meaning people try to show up at my door and save me from the burden of beautiful solitude!! 🤣) It allows me to become all reflective before the routines start back up again.
I think I am weird with money—or certainly have been. Getting better. Anyways, I’ve made some good decisions about money recently, I think, and this book confirmed it. I’m so glad I got a good financial adviser guy at the bank finally. I’m a bit pissed off about the last woman they gave me because, if she’d bothered to show any interest or genuinely tried to explain anything to me, it might have made a difference these last few years before I thought to try it again. And maybe it wouldn’t have been so many years if I hadn’t suspected they’d make me talk to her again, haha!
Handling money is one of those things that you’re never too early or too late to get good at, I suppose—and now that I’ve sorted some shit out, I feel I’ve earned the right to read some nonsense for a while 🤪
Read
February 15, 2024Não posso fazer grande avaliação deste livro porque não me é possível usufruir dele na sua totalidade, mas digo-vos isto: é super informativo e muito completo... para quem vive no Reino unido. Para nós, os restantes, é giro, dá umas luzes, mas dá para ignorar várias páginas também.
August 9, 2022
This was my first ‘adulting’ book. Such a great introduction into financing. Even though I am young and the topics the author does not directly address my financial goal at the moment, it allows you to gain an insight into one’s financial journey to navigate in your mid 20’s to late 30’s. The last chapter on ethical finance was really eye-opening!
January 29, 2024
Ready to Kakeibo method it up
December 18, 2024
What a book, what a book! Well done, Laura 👏
Right from the start, the book demonstrated its simplicity and honesty through its title: “Money: A User’s Guide”—a refreshing change from the often misleading titles of so-called bestsellers in the investment genre.
First of all, it’s one of the few books that focuses specifically on the UK context of investment, making it a rare gem. This fills a gap that has been noticeably felt over the years. The examples throughout the book were easy to understand and accurate, striking a perfect balance between simplicity and relevance.
Most importantly, the second and third chapters provided a broader understanding of money—an essential perspective that is rarely discussed in the investment space. These chapters encourage readers to think critically and ethically about their investments, while taking into account your other half in this subject.
The author didn’t promise unrealistic dreams of getting rich quickly. Instead, she approached the subject with simplicity, honesty, and an open mind. This book is almost everything you need to know about managing money in the UK, covering generic yet crucial topics.
Right from the start, the book demonstrated its simplicity and honesty through its title: “Money: A User’s Guide”—a refreshing change from the often misleading titles of so-called bestsellers in the investment genre.
First of all, it’s one of the few books that focuses specifically on the UK context of investment, making it a rare gem. This fills a gap that has been noticeably felt over the years. The examples throughout the book were easy to understand and accurate, striking a perfect balance between simplicity and relevance.
Most importantly, the second and third chapters provided a broader understanding of money—an essential perspective that is rarely discussed in the investment space. These chapters encourage readers to think critically and ethically about their investments, while taking into account your other half in this subject.
The author didn’t promise unrealistic dreams of getting rich quickly. Instead, she approached the subject with simplicity, honesty, and an open mind. This book is almost everything you need to know about managing money in the UK, covering generic yet crucial topics.
November 14, 2021
The kind of book I wish I had in my early 20's. Helps explain renting, Mortgages, credit, savings, budgeting, and investing. I think every would benefit from reading although more useful to those in early stages of adulthood.
May 18, 2025
10/10, such a simple but informative guide to money in the UK & I think EVERYONE should read this!!!!
October 20, 2020
Мөнгөтэй харьцах харьцаагаа анзаарснаар өөрийхөө дутагдлыг олж таних ирээдүйд хэрхэн амьдрах арга барилыг ойлгох боломжтой аж. Мөнгө нь хэдий санхүүгийн нэг хэрэгсэл ч гэсэн бодит байдал дээр олон үйлдлийг давхар хийж байдаг юм байна.
March 12, 2021
I think I can speak for most when I say that any book that deconstructs all the financial jargon that is thrown at us must be a good read. Whilst I’m not 100% sure that I’m the target audience (I don’t have a much higher-than-average salary), I still appreciated that this book touched on the importance of finances in relationships, money and gender and money in relation to mental health. It also did give some fantastic examples. If you’re looking to make a start on reassessing your finances to achieve your goals, I think you may take something from this book - at least a sense that money is a struggle for everybody.
October 15, 2018
I enjoyed this as a good introduction to financial matters for someone of roughly my demographic - a millennial in a professional role. I read it cover to cover but you could also dip in and out to read the chapters most relevant to you eg I didn’t need to read the part about house buying as I’ve already done that. The section on saving and investing made me think seriously about setting up my financial future.
September 14, 2019
Every 20-something needs to read this! It explains student loans/savings/investing/mortgages/renting/pensions/debt/etc explained in a friendly, concise way. It's everything that you know you *need* to know about personal finance but have never bothered reading up on... Until now.
August 11, 2021
Filled with great advice if you're from the UK . Otherwise, there is the odd useful tip scattered through, like thoughts on whether to prioritise saving or paying off debt. I need to find a New Zealand equivalent of this book!
August 10, 2020
5
An excellent introduction to personal finance in the United Kingdom, covering everything from budgeting, to pensions, to bank accounts, to renting vs buying a home. Most importantly, it's entirely readable, without getting bogged down in long descriptions of financial products, etc. [though, caution, I find such descriptions relatively interesting so I may be biased]. From a personal perspective, much of the information I was already aware of thanks to being pretty interested in personal finance anyway, but Whateley's book serves as an easily digestible, vital read for anyone interested in setting themselves up for better personal financial management (and without falling into the trap of demanding you cut out every bit of 'fun' spending as some personal finance hawks do).
An excellent introduction to personal finance in the United Kingdom, covering everything from budgeting, to pensions, to bank accounts, to renting vs buying a home. Most importantly, it's entirely readable, without getting bogged down in long descriptions of financial products, etc. [though, caution, I find such descriptions relatively interesting so I may be biased]. From a personal perspective, much of the information I was already aware of thanks to being pretty interested in personal finance anyway, but Whateley's book serves as an easily digestible, vital read for anyone interested in setting themselves up for better personal financial management (and without falling into the trap of demanding you cut out every bit of 'fun' spending as some personal finance hawks do).
February 18, 2021
I borrowed this from a friend, and read it cover to cover. Money management can seem to be quite a tedious subject matter, but Whately has a really easy going and entertaining tone which meant I couldn't out this book down! I'll be purchasing my own copy as a "go to" guide to sit on the bookshelf for my future financial decisions. It's seperated into step by step chapters which make it easy to navigate and useful if you're looking for specific help. It's an entertaining and easy read but also manages to give you all the basic info you could possibly want, from getting a phone contract to investing in the stock market with everything in-between including renting, mortgages, pensions, savings accounts etc. It also contains chapters on wellbeing and ethics. Accessible advice about personal finances.
February 3, 2024
A must read for everyone entering their adulthood. It simply explains so many concepts about money like taxes, student loans, car financing, mortgages, debt, pensions, stock market, savings, inflation, switching accounts, utilities, your rights whilst renting properties, insurances, credit scores to name a few.
It's a very worth read even if you think you know a lot about money or have a financial adviser in your group of family and friends as it fills the gaps and condenses the knowledge.
I will definitely be coming back to check parts of it as and when I need.
It's a very worth read even if you think you know a lot about money or have a financial adviser in your group of family and friends as it fills the gaps and condenses the knowledge.
I will definitely be coming back to check parts of it as and when I need.
January 15, 2019
Extremely informative and easy to read!
Extremely informative and easy to read! All jargon was explained well. I even enjoyed reading the chapter in pensions, the world most unsexiest subject.
Extremely informative and easy to read! All jargon was explained well. I even enjoyed reading the chapter in pensions, the world most unsexiest subject.
February 1, 2021
I recommend this to anyone who is ready to buy a house but for a 22 year old who is very much in the overdraft it's not hugely useful. Some good tips for life (on bills and savings etc.) but it was pretty dense and I can't remember any of the tips.
August 3, 2020
Very entertaining and really explains some basic things everyone should know about fiance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews