From the founder of Money School comes an approachable and inspiring guide to taking control of your money and your time so you can build the life you really want.
‘Time poor’ is the catch-cry of our era, and yet end-of-life retirement means we have an average of two decades of feeling time rich to look forward to . . . when we’re old. How arse-about is that?
But there is an alternative to working your butt off for decades and retiring when you’re worn out: it’s called financial independence, and it means being able to cover life’s essentials and afford the luxuries you want without having to turn up to a job each day.
Imagine: the freedom and flexibility to work if, when and where you like, go travelling, spend time with family or start that business you’ve been dreaming of. And with enough time and a way to earn, it’s achievable for most people through the power of passive income.
Lacey Filipich knows because she’s done it herself – and has been teaching the strategies and steps for financial independence for a decade through her education company, Money School. Now, she’ll teach you all her tried-and-true lessons for redesigning your personal finances to create the life you really want.
From maximising your income and cutting costs without big sacrifice, to property, shares and retirement funds, Money School explains exactly how to build a passive income that will completely change your life.
Take control of how you spend your time and money to make them work for you – and get on the fast track to being financially independent and time rich.
Having drummed into my daughters since childhood the old adage that 'a man is not a financial plan' I was thrilled to be able to give them each a copy of Money School! What I love about this book is that it doesn't just explain the what, why and how of becoming financially independent but it makes doing so seem fun (unlike my lectures :)), as well as entirely achievable. Lacey seems totally relatable, and entirely non-judgey, making reading the book a pleasure rather than a guilt trip. Love it!
The good thing about this book was that it actually mentioned ethics (the idea that you should aim to still be able to sleep at night after buying shares, so maybe don’t buy anything that goes against your values). But in general, I’d probably recommend both Your Money or Your Life and The Barefoot Investor over this one.
Found this book to be very useful, especially in the beginning. I like that the author is very aware of her privilege and never makes the reader feel bad about being unable to take the advice insisted upon by many other financial gurus out there (e.g., she acknowledges and is completely understanding of the fact that there are people in situations where they cannot save like being in a DV situation, being incarcerated, or living in poverty VS the iTs AbOUt yOuR pRiOrItIEs/I dID iT YoU CaN ToO/jUsT tRy HaRdEr mentality of a lot of stereotypical financial types).
One of the first things she admits is that her success rested heavily on both the fact that she had good financial literacy growing up, had a pretty financially stable childhood etc, and that she got lucky. There's nothing I despise quite like "self-made" millionaires insisting that they got there from rock bottom through nothing but hard work their own ego - but were actually born wealthy, never struggled financially, and could afford to take flying risks because their fall would be nicely cushioned with all their free floating cash.
The author isn't claiming she's the pinnacle of financial success, that she's the original 'local girl makes it big' newspaper story, or that she's better than anyone else. She's just telling you about her understanding of and methods for financial literacy.
Not everything was useful to me personally but it was well executed, I'd have liked to have seen more 'moving forward' steps. The audiobook in particular suffers from the inclusion of tables etc you have to go online to download - but they ARE there as of 2022 which is a big plus.
Financial independence is the key to building the life you really want. Imagine: the freedom and flexibility to work if, when and where you like. It's a dream that's achievable for most people through the power of passive income. You don't have to wait until retirement to fully enjoy your precious time. Lacey Filipich has been teaching the tools to unlock financial independence for a decade through her education company, Money School. Whether you're just starting out on your financial journey or looking to build momentum as you head towards retirement, in this inspiring step by step guide Lacey teaches readers to save without needing a budget, maximise their income and cut costs without big sacrifices, how bonds, shares and property work, so that you can choose which investments best suit your goals-and how to minimise such risk in your investment strategies, as well as how to take mini-retirements and feel time rich along the way. So come on in and join the FITR movement.
A totally accessible, easy read. I love the down to earth and practical advice this book offers. Not only does this book de-mystify the money maze, it provides a step by step guide on how to achieve meaningful financial freedom no matter what your circumstances or stage in life. Thank you Lacey, you’re a brilliant coach who simplified a complex issue that affects each and every one of us. My advice, get every teenager reading this book now!
I have to confess, this isn't the type of book I would normally read. But I'm so glad I did. I was hooked from the first page by the format where understanding money suddenly became so obvious. Why was I not taught this at school? Filipich shares her accessible approach to how to create financial freedom. What I love is her pragmatic, down to earth approach. There's no hype, fluff or wishful thinking here, just straight forward achievable ideas. Highly recommended
A fantastic book for any Aussie looking to reclaim their time and pursue financial independence. Lacey has put a great resource together and I'd highly recommend it to anyone with an interest in learning more about their personal finances.
Literally a rich book in creating and maintaining a successful portfolio. The author’s perspective on choosing one of the F’s (funds, fame or friends) is 10% of what I’ve retained from this book.
A great book by Lacey Filipich focusing on reaching financial independent and being time rich. Although there are no concrete steps into creating your portfolio (which she does acknowledge), but it definitely is a books for beginners that want an introduction or refresher to this timeless concept. It does give examples in the Australian context, so very relevant to those living in Australia. Highly recommended.
I listened to Lacey Filipich's new book Money School, and it was just what I needed to help me get started with my financial game plan. In some ways, you might say that the information wasn't altogether revolutionary - I'd heard a lot of it before. However, I really hadn't taken action before. The simple and clear process Lacey presents to strategically build a buffer and save and invest your way to financial freedom, delivered with her friendly, down to earth narration, was an enlightening experience. I now have a plan in place, and I can see my progress every month. I know exactly what to do to create the future I want. The book has moved me from feeling quite worried about my financial future to rather excited, actually.
If you're looking for a supportive and extremely knowledgeable friend who will give you the kick up the bum you need to get your financial sh!t together, this is the book for you! Highly recommend.
The best book of this sort I have read. It's great that it's Australia-centric and it really allows for different choices, but still encourages the reader to stick to the plan. And 'the plan' is the real focus of this book. Filipich doesn't get into starting a business, side hustles, hacking real estate, or any number of penny-pinching ideas you might try. She focuses on the basics - investing in shares or real estate and sticking to the plan. The book bogs down a bit when discussing taxes and super, but the main idea rings true: make a plan and stick to it.
I loved this book! My only regret is that it wasn't around years ago when I first started out. It would have saved me a lot of time, effort and most importantly money. After reading it, I also bought a copy for my daughters so that they can avoid a long painful learning curve and set themselves up from the start. What a wonderful resource, full of great and easy to follow advice, and written by a woman! Pragmatic, easy to read and straight to the point. A must-read for all ages! If not for you then gift it to someone. Best investment yet!
One of the best finance books I've read to date. Fiipich succinctly explains various concepts and strategies with real-life examples (including her own mistakes and how they could have been prevented - even without the benefit of hindsight), and pros and cons of each. She does all of this in an extremely engaging and entertaining manner which is absent from most finance books. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to pursue financial independence.
This book is outstanding. It explains how to achieve financial independence in a way that's easy to understand and not too daunting. After reading the book I followed the instructions and saved an obscene amount of money, paid off my debts and started saving. You won't regret reading this book.
I enjoyed this book a great deal. It's straightforward, easy to understand, and makes a lot of sense; it provides the overall strategy as well as providing the actual 'how-to' of getting to financial freedom. I'll be gifting this book to each of my children, as it will help them get off the treadmill so much faster.
These topics aren't usually the most riveting, but this book is well written, easy to digest and quite motivational. The images clearly outline the path to financial comfort or 'independence' making it easy to visualise and apply your own circumstances. I found the milestones to be realistic and achievable. I'm looking forward to my first mini-retirement!
What an inspiration! This book made personal finance simple, fun and engaging. Witty chat, easy explanations of all the concepts and a super cool goal dangled in front of me from start to finish - I can be free and make all my own choices! I would never usually be bothered reading a finance book all the way through but I really enjoyed this one. THANKS!
I loved this book! If you only read one self-help book this year...this really needs to be it! It's such a well paced, practical and clear guide to financial freedom. Once you get started the fog lifts and you are left feeling inspired to take action at every chapter. Lacey has an easy to read style with plenty of relevant examples. Dive right in!
Money School is my bible that I keep on my desk. It has sticky notes poking out everywhere. Reading this book has answered so many questions I have had for years that no one else has been able to answer for me. Lacey explains complicated financial concepts simply and clearly. Money School is an essential resource for everyone.
A great read - one that makes the often scary world of managing finances way less scary, especially for one as financially challenged as myself. Easy to digest, practical examples. Not just a great read but a very smart investment. Do yourself a favour and grab a copy!
What a wonderful book! I wish I'd read this 20 years ago.... Thanks Lacey and Fran for empowering your readers to gain control of their finances and financial future! 5 stars!! And if I wasn't saving money I'd buy one for all my friends and family 😂❤👍🏻
A fabulous read. Run don’t walk! Easily digestible & an enjoyable read on such an important topic. This book provides you with the practical steps to take control of your money. I’ve been planning a mini retirement for some time & this book has been a terrific resource.
Clear, concise, practical advice - this book should be a subject in high school - I have never used Calculus, but having studied this book in my teens, I'd have a completely different financial future! A must buy for any young adults who are spending or earning money!
Great guide to money and becoming financially independent. Would recommend to everyone with an interest in personal finance. I listened to the audio book and loved it.