The Price of Money: How to Prosper in a Financial World That’s Rigged Against You

by Rob Dix

'Fascinating' Ed Conway, Economics Editor, Sky News
'Excellent' Laura Whateley, author of Money: A User's Guide
'Brilliant' Iain Dale, LBC Presenter

Learn how to make better financial decisions by understanding how the world of money really works.

Why is everything from cars to coffee suddenly getting more expensive?
How can the government produce billions out of thin air while your savings are shrinking?
And what can you do to get ahead in a time of economic chaos?

For centuries, working hard and saving up diligently would have set you up for financial security and a comfortable retirement. Not anymore.

Over the last 50 years, we've entered a new financial world - one where your savings lose value faster than you can build them, a global mountain of debt piles up ever higher, and most people slip backwards however hard they try.

In The Price of Money , a leading investment expert explains what's changed - and what you should do now we're here. You'll learn why currencies the world over have lost 99 per cent of their value, and how to use future declines to your advantage. You'll understand how the government can produce hundreds of billions out of thin air, and which investments benefit when they do. Most importantly, you'll be shown what's coming next - and how to position yourself to gain rather than suffer.

You don't need even the slightest knowledge of economics to read this book - just a desire to understand why the world of money is working against you, and what to do about it.

_

'Pithy and punchy . . . Profoundly useful for anyone wanting to understand why the current global economy is in such a mess, and what that might mean for your own finances' Gillian Tett

'After you've read Rob Dix's short, sharp introduction, you will know more than most ordinary people about how money works - and also (I'm sorry to say) rather more than most Cabinet ministers too' Merryn Somerset-Webb

Genres: Finance, Economics, Nonfiction, Business, Money, Personal Finance, Self Help

206 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2023

Reviews

[Alfred Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mainly a description of financial decisions taken by governments over the past 50 years or so and how these have influenced the economy and so the title doesn't really match the content. This is probably a good thing.

There are some interesting observations in the book. One is that property prices haven't increased relative to gold over the past century. (Inflation adjusted house price increases are around 100% since 1975, so in real terms average UK rents are double what they were ~50 years ago.) There is also a good section on how money creation actually works in the economy which is perhaps missing from books like The Deficit Myth: Modern Monetary Theory and the Birth of the People's Economy. The section on the mechanics of quantitative easing was also good.

One weak point in the book is where Dix claims that printing money inevitably leads to inflation. While saying that there are different schools of thought on this, he doesn't explain a mechanism for his claim. The argument is made that if there is suddenly more money then each individual unit of the currency would be worth less. This is a shame given that in the rest of the book he gives direct descriptions on the mechanisms, and points out in the section on the removal of the gold standard that the value of the currency is fairly arbitrary. (The numerator in the fraction used in the argument isn't well defined.) In the deficit myth it is argued that if there is spare capacity in the economy then government spending won't directly lead to inflation. If a country's ability to produce increases then one could argue that this would be deflationary, by the same argument: There are now more resources divided between the same amount of currency. In this case the government could print money, reverse the deflationary effects, and not cause any extra inflation.

[Chaitanya Bapat · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opener for someone with little background in economics and finance. This book gave me lot of insight (jargon free) into what’s going on behind the scenes when govt decides to raise interest rates or people complain about inflation. It also provides lot of context historically with graphs charts. I’d recommend this for anyone who wants to learn more about how to navigate in these uncertain Financial Times we find ourselves amidst.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a book about what is considered a 'dry' topic, this was so wet it slipped right out of my hands into my 5* pile.

[Alex Pan · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars tbh, but there is no such an option. Very nice overview about the world of money, very analytical and simple language. Although I've read a lot of books about finance, this one is really well structured and really recommend it.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb! Anyone who has ever asked, why the Government are doing what they are doing should read this book.
Written without esoteric language, and with a touch of dry humour, it is very readable, so you don't need any economics qualifications to benefit from this.

I am hoping he writes a sequel, maybe digging a bit deeper into other areas of economics.
We should be interested, because it affects our lives, and potentially how we vote. (Not that any of the parties are actually any different from one another, a one party state in effect.)

[Joshua Cartwright · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well explained

I knew something about money creation but Rob tied it together in a friendly and conversational way. Some things I had to read a few times but his explanations were as simple as possible and no simpler...I'd love to chat to this guy!

[Wee Tom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best book this year

[Yell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great introduction to economics with a bit of personal finance advice at the end.

Some of the current principles our financial system runs on, which I wasn't aware of before reading this book, have blown me away and have given me a lot to think about regarding what to do with my personal finance, my political views and where I think the world is heading.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a fantastic explanation of how our financial system works and is written in way which makes complex concepts easy to understand. A must-read for anyone who wants to improve their financial know-how.

[Louis Gliddon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening. It's definitely one of my best reads so far, nearly on a par with Rich dad Poor dad

[Nebin · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of the most mind opening books I've ever read.

[Gijs Limonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

3,5 stars; serviceable review of macroeconomics for the general public; the title misleadingly asserts the reader will know how to prosper in a financial world that is indeed rigged against you, but the author does not deliver on this promise.

[Sorin-Andrei Dojan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bet Rachel Reeves would love this book

[Josh Prewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m looking for a man in finance

[Vesselin Iliev · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good high-level overview of money, the financial system, major changes and actions taken by central banks recently. Based and mirrors the works of Ray Dalio, translating them to an even more understandable and plain language. Enjoyed the read as a nice easy summary. Would recommend to friends without much interest or understanding of money. Will be a bit boring read for the financially savvy ones, for which I couldn’t give 5*

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating this book a 5 out of 5 was a no brainer...

First off this book is for ppl who aren't familiar with economics, central bank operations, etc. (You know, all the stuff we should've learned in school). He breaks it down in a very clear and easily digestible way that's actually quite humorous at times. I read this in less than 24 hrs.... it was that enlightening. Kudos and much thanks to the author.

[Graeme Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to digest and very interesting

I certainly feel more informed after reading this book and am thankful to Rob for writing it. He uses easy to understand language that is engaging even when explaining very dry subjects. He has a knack for writing in a conversational way and that kept me onboard until the bitter end. I highly recommend this book and will more than likely read it again in the near future to reinforced the learnings.

[Mike Starnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you want an idea as to what is happening within our financial system(s) right now, why the cost of everything is going up, interest rates and inflation increasing etc - then read this book.

It’s got some nuggets for what you can do about it in terms of where to put your money etc, but there wasn’t anything revolutionary in these suggestions. I got a lot out of the book in terms of what’s going on and why and the author does a good job of simplifying what is a complex subject.

[Rainer Beudert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressed by the Courage of the author to put such a complex topic on less than 200 Pages. Pay attention if you are Not a native speaker, the terms are hard to Digest and understand. I will probably read again in my own Language, if available.

[Rob Mayzes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible introduction to economics

Truly enlightening and humorous at the same time. Extremely well written and full of wisdom. I learned a ton and will be re-reading this.

[Patryk Paniewski · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a brilliant introduction to economics and it allows you to understand how the financial world works. It’s also a really entertaining read.

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of key economic theories and problems surrounding the creation and flows of money. Very easy reading for anyone without a financial background. Plenty of 'real world' explanations.

[Aine Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting book about financial history with reviews on the 2008 crash and COVID also

[Saifuddin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rob Dix’s The Price of Money is a clear and insightful exploration of the often confusing world of money, covering topics like inflation and currency value with a fresh perspective. Designed for readers who want to understand how financial systems affect our everyday lives, this book demystifies complex economic principles and explains how they relate to the decisions we make about savings, debt, and investments.

Dix starts by guiding readers through the basics: What is money? Why does it have value? And why do things like inflation and rates fluctuate? Instead of relying on dry financial jargon, he breaks down these ideas in a straightforward, approachable way. His writing is accessible, free of unnecessary complexity, making it easy for readers who may not have a background in economics to understand key concepts that influence global and personal finances.

One of the strongest elements of The Price of Money is its exploration of how economic policies, government decisions, and global events impact us all, whether through the rising cost of living or the accessibility of credit. By providing historical context, Dix shows how various financial policies have evolved and what they mean for the future. This historical approach allows readers to see current economic trends in a broader perspective, making it easier to understand the cause-and-effect relationship between financial policy and personal wealth.

For readers interested in gaining financial literacy and making informed decisions about their money, The Price of Moneyis a valuable resource. It encourages us to think critically about the financial information we encounter daily, from news headlines to banking advertisements, and empowers readers with the knowledge to make better decisions.

Overall, Dix’s book serves as a foundational guide for anyone who wants to better understand the money system without getting lost in technicalities. The Price of Money is an educational yet engaging read, offering essential insights for anyone who wants a stronger grasp of how money really works and why it matters.

[Tristan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an engagingly written and effective piece of education in economics, which is highly relevant to all the bullshit reported on the evening television news. All the quibbling over this or that percentage growth, over inflation measures, over national debt, are put under the spotlight very effectively: the government’s primary objective to look after its own coffers is clearly not always in the interest of the population at large.

The large part is dedicated to explaining what money is and where it comes from, building explanations in sequential steps. These straightforward steps help make sense of a lot of classic economic theory, whilst at the same time debunking the same in journalistic style by describing how governments routinely abuse those theories. The author provides an excellent summary of global economic history, from barter to local coin mints, to central control of money production, to the creation of central banks and the concept of national debt, to the gold standard, the dollar standard, and since the 1970s the use of fiat currency and the debt economy. He even drops in a pithy explanation of bitcoin, as well as showing how quantitative easing and furlough measures have blown everything apart.

One thing he does not touch on is the idea of universal basic income, one of my interests, although he provides enough simple arguments to show the perils of getting that wrong (runaway inflation) whilst planting enough counter intuitive seeds to demonstrate it might just work (creating real terms growth).

The author also begins to address inequalities exacerbated by the debt economy and the recent financial shocks (sub-prime, covid, Liz Truss) but does not take the matter very far, which is unfortunate as that is part of the UBI debate.

This is definitely a book to read again in that respect. Hence the score.

The investment advice bit does not live up to the grand claims of the subtitle, and just provides some very basic notions. If it’s the investment angle the reader is after, this book will disappoint. But the unheralded history part is excellent.

[Robert Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Known for his work as a Sunday Times columnist and investment project Property Hub, Rob Dix has built up a large amount of financial knowledge. His latest book, The Price of Money, shares the key bullet points with a wider audience.

The Price of Money is one part history lesson and the other a set of money-making tips that are passed onto the reader. In the early going, Dix goes through the long timeline of currency and trade and emphasising significant events. President Richard Nixon abandoning the gold standard in 1971, the global financial crisis of 2008 and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic that forced many central banks to take drastic action. As the chapters progress, we see the dynamic between money and influence, especially in western countries. Be prepared to get familiar with terms like quantitative easing, inflation and others as you read through.

In turn, the author shows the effect of these decisions on markets, economies and finally the general population. He doesn’t hold back from the detrimental side as the financial situation in the 2020s has been very dire for many households. With these focal points in mind, Rob lays out his recommendations in the latter half of the book. Split into investment decisions and a pragmatic mind-set towards world events, this is definitely the best element. Dix never becomes too wordy or technical with the descriptions, making the book accessible to a wider audience.

Recommended?

YES: The Price of Money stakes its claim as a compact and effective primer that doesn’t require a full understanding of economics. It confidently explains how the monetary system works and how best to leverage the markets in your favour. If you’ve never delved into these topics before, it will take some time to wrap your head around them, but Rob’s book is still recommended.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great to read, but I forgot to take notes so now I'll need to read again!
I'm glad the book was kept short, as the value of this book is really just to reset your views on money, investments and the mentality of governments/central banks. It doesn't need to be long to achieve that.

I miss studying Economics!

TL;DR: Money does not have any intrinsic value, it is simply a form of value exchange. Money's value used to be tied to it's scarcity, but since the 1970's has been allowed to increase it's own supply. QE and monetary policy are generally levers accessible to governments but have debatable impact. Limited monetary policy and inflation via QE are the likely strategy for the next 20 years, so the classic wisdom of owning assets still generally applies.

One of the best things from this book comes down to the fact that most people in charge of central banks simply don't know for sure what effect anything they do will have. Economics only makes sense in hindsight, and normalcy bias will generally mean you do not take action on any signs you may think you see.

[Rachel Emanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good overview of the economy and how things work. As someone who has zero to very little knowledge in the finance world, this book has been a real eye opener and a great read for getting to know basic global financial principles and processes. Dix talks in real people lingo with my favourite phase being “going on a QE bender” when talking about the UK and US governments attempts at recovery from factors such as the pandemic.

He gives a great overview of the history of money, how money is made (and erased) and touches on other foundational topics that I don’t think are covered as well in books such as Can’t We Just Print More Money? by Meaning and Patel.

The title is a little misleading as the book doesn’t really provide tips to prosper but instead will give you knowledge that will make you much wiser to manage your money appropriately in the current and future economical climates. At least that’s how I now feel after being made aware of the absolute chaos we’re in as a UK and global economy!

[Kraven Moorhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid advice for a beginner.

The Price of Money outlines how our financial system works in a easy to digest way. Anyone, regardless of their background should be able to understand this book, it is very well written and aimed at a UK target audience. I do wish I read this book 10 years ago...

I take off one star for a few reasons. One is that the book is a slow starter. The stuff at the start is way too easy and could have been cut. The second is that Rob is not an economist - more property realtor turned podcast bro economist. This does show in some of his writing. The final thing is that his advice (and he acknowledges this) is heavily biased towards property ownership, which benefits him as a property realtor. 2025 has shown a huge slowdown in the property market, so his advice here is off.

[Johan de Rooy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughtful and complete, bang on!

I originally was sceptical of this book as another "Get rich" quickly so I read it to appreciate what a less informed reader might learn. Having reasonable finance expertise (I teach the subject matter at a top tier university) I was pleasantly surprised.

This book is an excellent primer on the current financial and momentary systems.

The advice in the last chapters is bang on. Especially about index funds. Few investment advisors recommend index funds, but Warren Buffett does encourage investors young them.

My only additional point would have been to mention "dollar unit averaging/costing" as part of your investing strategy. If you buy in regular interval you get superior returns as you buy both high and low and get a proper average cost.