Sensible Money: A Guide on How to Make Better Money Choices for Financial Freedom

by Emily Stewart

A no-nonsense guide to making better money choices and gaining financial freedom, written by ABC finance reporter Emily Stewart, aka Sensible Emily.


ABC finance reporter Emily Stewart's articles on topics such as budgeting, super and property have racked up millions of combined views thanks to their clear, relatable tone and straightforward, trustworthy information.

While most finance gurus assume a one-size-fits-all approach to financial prosperity, Sensible Emily's focus is on educating her readers on personal finance and setting out different options, so that they can make their own decisions about what's right for them and their families.

In Sensible Money she gives you practical tips and tricks to help you set up your financial foundations so you can go from surviving to thriving. She'll help you destroy your debt, give you strategies to save, and then, when you're back on your feet, help you budget for your first home, invest in shares and sort out your super.

The financial world is more complex than ever, but with Sensible Emily as your guide, you will feel empowered to navigate your financial future.

Praise for Sensible Money

'Money miracles rarely happen. Knowledge is the key. Sensible Money can help build you a path to financial freedom' - Paul Clitheroe AM

'Talk about the perfect book for the times! Sensible Money offers so many practical ideas on managing your money as the cost of living bites. Emily Stewart brings a journalist's eye for detail and plenty of lived experience to help you build a better financial life' - Michael Rowland

Genres: Finance, Nonfiction

328 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 2, 2025

About the author

Emily Stewart is a professional organizer and de-cluttering expert. Stewart managed to transform her home into a haven after a long struggle with the hoarding habit. She is now determined to help others organize their homes on a small budget.

She has worked with several homeowners helping them cultivate a culture of de-cluttering and keeping only items that spark joy in their lives.

Emily is the author of several books including, Detox Your Home; A Beginner’s Thorough Guide to De-Cluttering.

Reviews

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf)]

⭐️4 Stars⭐️
If you’re after an easy, straight to the point guide on budgeting, Sensible Money: A guide on how to make better money choices for financial freedom, by the ABC's finance reporter, for readers of She's On the Money and Girls That Invest is your book. A practical reference for making better choices with regards to personal finance and useful ideas to help save money and rid yourself of debt.

Sensible Emily is a truly independent adviser and I enjoyed reading her tips and tricks.

Some of the interesting topics covered are:
✅Starting a Money Diary
✅Budgets
✅Slashing Grocery bills
✅Insurance
✅Free fun activities
✅Emergency fund
✅Income Tax time
✅Home Loans
✅Money in relationships
✅Kids are costly
✅Wills

Emily Stewart is an ABC finance journalist and qualified finance guru.

Thank you so much Harper Collins Australia for a copy of the book.

[Alison McIntyre]

Every few years I pick up a book about money to see if I can learn anything new.

And at 40ish, there’s not much in here that I don’t already know. It’s presented well and modern. Plus it is specific to Australia.

However, I didn’t like the section about a side hustle. Or maybe I appreciated it BUT I was more so mad at the current economic climate and capitalism for making people resort to having a side hustle. Nothing against the author!

This did make me look into investing for myself and my kids as a well as finally making a will now that I’m divorced and my assets are all my own.

I’ll refer back to the buying a car section one day when I’m ready for that.

[Andrew Portbury]

Another 'they don't teach you about this in school' guide to managing your Australian finances mostly targetted at younger adults but with something for everyone, Sensible Money was a book I didn't get too much out of personally given my circumstances have passed many of life's milestones discussed. Nevertheless, the book is an easy read or listen, and a decent guide for those wanting to set up a household budget, prepare to have children, pay off a mortgage, get started with investing, set up a will, and plenty more. One to have on your shelf and flick back to the appropriate chapter as needed, while it wasn't ideal for me, plenty will find it really useful.

[Courtney]

The pros:
- written for an Australian audience
- really easy and quick to read
- easy to take what you need and leave the rest
- simple and clear
- good entry level read if you’re new to managing your own finances

The cons:
- it was fairly basic (which might be what you’re looking for!) and I didn’t learn anything new
- there was a bit at the start which came across as victim blaming towards women because they end their working lives with less money. The book didn’t acknowledge the real barriers some groups like women experience in regard to money and income.

Thanks to @harpercollinsaustralia for a copy of this book!

[Ozbernie]

In my mid 40’s I feel the majority of this book was all information I knew and was just confirming. Only the ‘invest like a pro’ chapter as sensible and simply as she wrote it still just mostly went over my head. Overall it was refreshing to read a simple and very easy to follow and understand financial literacy book based in Australia covering so many areas. I think teens really should be taught all these basics as a compulsory must in high school.

[ebony]

I thought this was really good & my rating of a 3 is purely the reflection that it was good but I didn’t learn anything from it personally. This was a really easy to read and very good financial guide and something I would recommend to friends who are starting their money journey.

[Jane]

Easy read, great tips. I like the way the options are laid out

[Sharon Robertson]

The book has a wealth of knowledge about finances and different real life accounts to take into perspective.

[Belinda]

very basic

[Anna Davidson]

A few takeaways, but a lot of standard advice. An easy to read finance book.

[Rhii]

The very basics of financial literacy. However some helpful Australian-specific information on Super, Tax, Medicare, insurance, child birth and Wills.

[Amelia]

Loved listening to this! Some great pointers to remember and action!

[Korin]

Nice simple read can skip what's not relevant to you, wasn't too much new info for me but found the book to be good info for those that need it maybe more beginner friendly