How They Get You: Sneaky Everyday Economics and Smart Ways to Hold on to Your Money

by Chris Kohler

Have you ever felt like your wallet has a slow leak you can’t find?

In this sharp, funny and empowering guide, journalist Chris Kohler takes you through the rigged carnival of modern life, where the games are broken, the prizes are fake and somehow you’re paying $28 to park near the entrance.

From loyalty schemes to late fees, gift cards to sneaky supermarkets, How They Get You pulls back the curtain on how the systems work and how to outsmart them. Written for anyone who has ever looked at their bank account and thought, I swear I didn’t buy anything, this is the ultimate handbook to understanding how the game is played – and how you don’t have to lose every single time.

You’ll laugh, you’ll groan and you’ll probably cancel a few subscriptions. But most of all, you’ll walk away with the clarity and confidence to make better choices about how to spend and save your hard-earned money.

Genres: Nonfiction, Economics, Audiobook, Finance, Business, Money, Personal Finance

284 pages, Trade Paperback

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

Chris Kohler is Finance Editor across the 9News network (Australia). You'll see Chris nightly in all states and territories covering financial markets, interest rates, property markets and household finance issues. Before joining Nine, Chris was a reporter and presenter for Sky News Business and Your Money, and has extensive experience as a property and financial markets journalist with The Australian, and with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald newspapers via Domain. He also has a large following on social media @chriskohlernews.

Reviews

[Lucy Dwyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this in public felt like a performance of sorts because I was actively shaking my head, grimacing, and occasionally looking up to ponder at the other suckers around me stuck in the same economic cycle I was learning about.

I consider this required reading for any Australian, regardless of tax bracket. But especially us plebs. It’s always shitty to learn all the ways the system is rigged against you, but I promise you’ll have fun doing it.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guy's instagram is clever, informative and funny and his book is well worth the read.

[Bianca · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title says it all. This was a quick listen. I was familiar and in the know of most issues discussed, given I've been following the author on social media.

This kind of book, at least where I'm concerned, triggers me into action: to make the call, unsubscribe from memberships, reassess if I need certain things etc.

The more people know how they get us, the more they can avoid being got. :-) Infuriatingly, in many cases, there are no options, Australia is lacking real competition in many areas and our regulators and the government are not on top of things as they should be. But we don't complain, don't take action, nothing will change.

[Gnaeus Agricola · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book, which truely highlights the status quo (rightly) of the industries in Australia that we have become slaves to. The chapters on the various ways cars eat into most people’s finances all to be stuck in traffic really made me laugh because, while Chris offers good financial advice for the reality of most Australians’ lives (many of us are forced to drive to get anywhere), Australians voted to be slaves to the auto-industry. Just know that there are others ways to avoid these traps like public transport, which Chris mentions, or riding a bike, which Chris mentions only once and in passing. I know people might say that I cannot ride a bike because it is unsafe, know that there are people fighting to make it less uncomfortable and dangerous with proper infrastructure. If you do not what to be a slave to the petrol prices, toll roads, car loans, insurance costs maybe think about voting to install that bike lane or approving of new public transportation when it is proposed near you. All of these things are not mentioned by Chris, but they will help to improve your financial situation in the above categories: viable alternatives to driving.

[Jane Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Girls we are locking into our finances in 2026 !

My fav bit was the insight into the normalisation of subscription based services, like truth be told why is everything a monthly subscription fee.

Biggest take away pour moi is the importance of being brand agnostic.

[Ryan Bartok · Rating 5 out of 5]

The game is rigged and Chris Kohler is here to show you exactly how.

In How They Get You, Kohler pulls back the curtain on the systems we interact with every day, exposing how the “rules” are often hidden, constantly shifting, or designed to work against us.

Just like his online skits, Kohler’s humour keeps the pages turning, and his clear, engaging explanations make complex ideas feel accessible without ever dumbing them down. It’s the kind of book you devour in a sitting and then spend days thinking about.

[Tyler Mauer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Kohler: We have a problem. I'm not making as much money from my short videos anymore.
The Devil on his Shoulder: Have you tried releasing the same content on additional platforms?
CK: Yes, I'm already on every platform imaginable, YouTube, TikTok, Instagram.. you name it.
Devil: How about.. as a book?

Nothing in this book should come as a surprise, but given how prolific a number of these issues are they clearly still need rehashing. I found it interesting to read about some of these policies from an Australian lens. The author was a little over the top about trying to make this a "fun" read, but the book worked well overall.

[Aaron Stoltzfus · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve long enjoyed Chris’s sketches for a longtime on YouTube, so I was excited to read this book and thoroughly enjoyed it. There’s something refreshing about pointing out the absurdities with which some companies operate without demonizing them. Since after all, they are still in existence for a reason—sometimes it’s just our unwillingness to push back.

[Mike Jorgensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good and really entertaining. He doesn't try to sell anything. He doesn't offer you simple life hacks with the promise of wealth. He observes lots of gritty truths with occasional tips and suggestions but no judgement about your personal financial choices. I really enjoy how blunt he is about the world without drifting into cynicism.

[Anna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book to pick up and read a chapter of, I was hoping it was going to save me millions, but actually I was already on to the ridiculousness of the lottery and gambling hahah it was great reading!!! Made me feel like a consumer psychologist 😎

[Keli'ikoa Peters · Rating 4 out of 5]

and i never got getted again

[Lewis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chris Kohler could teach a blind person to crochet


From just seeing his name on the shelf I knew I had to read this.

Anyone who can get me to read a book about finance, and thoroughly enjoy it, must be the GOAT

[Tyler Shellenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everyone needs to hear what is in this book. Only took me two days to read it through - I was so hooked!

Chris tells you how you’re getting ripped off and robbed blind and keeps it funny and light in spite of the pretty dark and depressing reality. I hope these ideas take hold and consumers and companies make positive changes. This is a good foundation for people to start taking notice.

[Sam Still Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am always out for a bargain and not having to spend more than I have to. But like everyone, I can get lazy. Being a fan of economics across the board, I decided to check out Chris Kohler’s How They Get You. I don’t like it when ‘they’ get me, so I went into this book to learn the sneaky tricks to save more and not to fall into traps.

This is a very funny read, which you might not expect for a book about economics (but truly, it can be very humorous when you include how irrationally humans act). Every topic on a chapter (from mortgages to Black Friday sales) starts with an amusing vignette of how to rip off the average customer through fees, confusing and complex rules and sneaky changes (shrinkflation anyone?). The topic is then explained clearly in layman’s terms and demonstrates how they get you. The chapter then ends with advice on what you can do as a consumer who needs insurance, gift cards or superannuation to avoid or minimise extra costs.

Some of the information is common sense (e.g. set reminders to stop subscriptions) but it’s still good to hear it because it invites you to look critically at exactly what you do with your money. It also gives you the confidence to call around the insurance companies or banks and ask for a better deal – as mentioned repeatedly, loyalty is worth nothing. (I do disagree on one point though – when my bank still had a physical location, I did get a free pen once but I lost it). I was really surprised to see how many additional fees there are for mortgages and how silly most of them are. Same with flight ‘add ons’. I thought including tariffs was really smart given the Trump administration’s fascination with them as well as more modern gotchas like in game transactions and gift cards. It’s a very enjoyable read – clear, concise and truthful.

http://samstillreading.wordpress.com

[Leith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this in two sittings, but found it so hard to put down. The entire book feels like Chris has shouted me a jug of beer so he can warn me about all the ways we are ‘gotten’ as consumers. Even for the few chapters that made me go “I knew that already”, it serves as an important reminder to stop and acknowledge it, speak up about it being wrong, and to find an alternative rather than being complacent. Even better, it’s funny, friendly and a really easy read.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chris is awesome. He and I share the same sense of humour, so I think his YouTube channel some of the best internet anywhere. You may know most of what’s in this book already, but even if you do, it’s a great read. Sometimes you need to have a laugh about how fucked everything is, and Chris is world class at that.

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

honestly not much new info, like i was very familiar w all the topics but it was a quick and easy read and chris kohler has a great audiobook voice, and also the attempts at humour were actually genuinely fun and not cringe, so big win

[Mike Nicholls · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read, nicely broken into chapters by topic so it was easy to pick up again and again.
Even though I try to stay wise to how they get you I learnt heaps and also recommend his YT clips as good entertainment

[Jacob B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, easy read which gives you a good overview of where your money is disappearing too. It's not a self help book telling you what to do, rather encourages you to think for yourself.

[Liam Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big ups. Bit boring in the middle but overall message it great, mostly fuck big corporations

[Robyn Smyth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the stats and examples to reinforce better money habits.

[Alex Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been getting got. So... thanks for letting me know, Chris.

[Kath Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finance, humour and Chris Kohler’s voice. It’s basically indecent and I love it!

[mitchwd · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like Chris’ social media videos, you’ll enjoy this book. Broken up into easily digestible chapters, this was an easy read.

[Kim Wakefield · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10 - A breakdown of the psychological tricks, systems, and structures designed to influence people’s decisions—often without them realising. It explains how industries like marketing, tech, and finance subtly manipulate behaviour through convenience, habit-forming design, and emotional triggers. Ultimately, the book reveals how awareness of these tactics can help individuals regain control over their choices in a world engineered towards apathy or inaction.

The strength of the book lies in its clear, concise explanations—complex ideas around behavioural psychology and manipulation are broken down in a way that feels effortless to understand, often with an amusing, lightly irreverent tone that keeps things from feeling heavy or depressing.

Kohler’s delivery is what really elevates it. There’s a sharp wit running throughout, making the insights feel entertaining as well as informative, and the pacing keeps the content moving without getting bogged down in jargon or over-explanation.

If you already follow Chris on social media, this is a more in-depth extension of what he does there—same intelligence and humour, just with more room to explore the ideas. It doesn’t necessarily break new ground beyond that, but it packages the concepts in a way that’s both enjoyable and genuinely useful.

[Peter Newman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been chuckling at his sketches on Instagram all year and to meet them again in book form was like unexpectedly bumping into an old friend who has lots of informative and interesting stories to tell. Loved it and learned a lot 🥰

[Harrison O · Rating 4 out of 5]

It says a lot about my natural scepticism and disdain for big businesses that I felt already familiar with a lot of the tricks in this book. But it certainly confirmed (reinforced) my suspicions.

Already reported a complaint to both the ACCC and the Telcom ombudsman before I reached the final page.

Go get em!

[Leon Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

How They Get You by Chris Kohler was my first audio book and it was quite enjoyable. It's brought to life by the narration of the author Chris Kohler, who is confident and at times humorous in his delivery. You can tell from his journalism background that he is quite an apt spokesperson and his knowledge of the subject matter is well researched.

He does drop a few expletives here an there, but for me it wasn't offensive.

I can see this book being turned into a docuseries, as the narrative has a Craig Reucassel 'War on Waste' type of vibe.

Although I didn't learn anything shocking or groundbreaking I did learn a few things along the way. If anything, and as he says, if you learn just to question corporate motives and methods - to keep them honest - you'll be moving in the right direction to improve your everyday economics.

[Cal · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

This is fairly basic stuff in terms of ideas, but it’s done really well. It’s contemporary, accessible, and very readable. Kohler’s writing is sharp and his social media accounts are worth following as well.

Nothing here completely blew me away, but I enjoyed it the whole time I was reading.

[Jacob P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5-4.75 / 5 (Rounded up)

This was an extremely easy book to get through - and I mean that as a compliment.

I listened to How They Get You on Spotify and flew through it in about two days. It’s short, sharp, and relentlessly engaging. “Easy” is the word that keeps coming back to me - not because it’s shallow, but because Chris Kohler is incredibly good at explaining complex, frustrating systems in a way that never talks down to you or loses momentum.

I first came across Chris through his Instagram reels - the skits, the satire, the memes - and if those hit hard for you, this book absolutely delivers the same energy, just fully formed. It’s cynical, funny, and pointed in exactly the right places. He takes all the stuff most Australians feel is broken - real estate, banking, super, loyalty programs, data harvesting, crypto hype, tariffs, fuel pricing - and explains how and why the system is structurally tilted against regular people, without turning it into a rant.

What really works is how he tells the story. Instead of dry explanations, he frames things as conversations to highlight relatable situations:
auctioneer vs buyer, bank vs customer, institution vs individual.
It’s satire, but it’s also painfully honest.
“Why are we raising interest rates?”
“Because we want more money.”
That bluntness is kind of the point - he strips away the PR language and calls bullshit where it deserves to be called.

Despite explicitly saying this isn’t a self-help book, it kind of is - just not in the preachy, checklist-driven way. Chris doesn’t promise to fix your finances or give you a magic strategy. Instead, the core question he keeps coming back to is:
“How am I getting got here?”
And honestly, that framing is powerful as hell. Once you start asking that question, you can’t stop seeing it - especially around “free” services, loyalty programs, behavioural nudges, and the way your data is quietly being commodified.

Another big strength is credibility. This doesn’t feel like vibes-based criticism. He cites ASIC, APRA, historical events, real reporting, and recent examples. You can feel that this comes from someone who works inside financial journalism, not someone yelling from the sidelines. It feels informed, current, and - as much as possible - grounded rather than ideological.

The book is also deeply Australian, which matters. So much finance content defaults to the US, but this is firmly rooted in Australian systems and Australian pain points. That makes it far more relevant and far more uncomfortable in the best way.

The only downside

The only section that didn’t fully land for me was the discussion around gaming. That chapter felt a bit out of date - especially around loot boxes and monetisation models. The industry has shifted in recent years, and some of the examples don’t quite reflect how things actually work now (skins marketplaces, regulatory changes, cyclical economies, etc.). It’s not a dealbreaker, but it did stand out as the one area where the book felt slightly behind the curve - probably more generational than careless. I will say to the layperson, this section lands well and holds up, but to anyone who has been in the gaming scene for the last couple years will, I think, have the same to say.

Overall

This is one of the better 'finance'/'self-help' books I’ve read (or listened to) in this space - timely, relevant, sharp, and genuinely enjoyable. The satire works, the explanations work, and the anger feels earned rather than performative. I liked Chris’s voice, his prose, and the way he structures information through story rather than lecture.

I finished this book wanting to buy a physical copy, not because I missed anything - but because it feels like the kind of book you want to revisit, underline, and apply selectively to your own life and family.