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Budgets Don't Work
In this breakthrough book you'll discover your Money Story, your Money Type and just as importantly you'll learn the habits, triggers and tricks that are right for you.
If you've ever tried to budget but found it just doesn't work, you need to read this book.
When it comes to saving and spending money, we're not all the same. Yet for too long, the financial advice world has treated us as if we are. This book will give you the tools you need to make that long-awaited financial breakthrough, allowing you to discover your "Financial Phenotype": the unique combination comprising your Money Story, your Money Environment, your Money Type and, just as importantly, the habits, triggers, and tricks that are right for you.
Once you realize that the one-size-fits-all approach to finances you've been trying to adopt doesn't work for most people, it can be liberating. Finally there's a rational explanation for why you've struggled with money—why you're perpetually sabotaging, why you're constantly at loggerheads with your partner or why you just can't seem to be consistent.
When it comes to other areas of your life, such as food and exercise, you've no doubt embraced a multi-faceted, often highly personalized approach and you recognize that's important. Why should it be any different when it comes to your finances?
That's why understanding your Money Story and discovering your Money Type is the key to financial success.
If you've ever tried to budget but found it just doesn't work, you need to read this book.
When it comes to saving and spending money, we're not all the same. Yet for too long, the financial advice world has treated us as if we are. This book will give you the tools you need to make that long-awaited financial breakthrough, allowing you to discover your "Financial Phenotype": the unique combination comprising your Money Story, your Money Environment, your Money Type and, just as importantly, the habits, triggers, and tricks that are right for you.
Once you realize that the one-size-fits-all approach to finances you've been trying to adopt doesn't work for most people, it can be liberating. Finally there's a rational explanation for why you've struggled with money—why you're perpetually sabotaging, why you're constantly at loggerheads with your partner or why you just can't seem to be consistent.
When it comes to other areas of your life, such as food and exercise, you've no doubt embraced a multi-faceted, often highly personalized approach and you recognize that's important. Why should it be any different when it comes to your finances?
That's why understanding your Money Story and discovering your Money Type is the key to financial success.
240 pages, Paperback
Published July 2, 2020
35 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
November 21, 2020
This book doesn’t hold enough substance in and of itself to stand on its own two feet. It tried its best to present a concept of budgeting that was a bit more substantial, but it seems to fail at the first post. The idea of a personality quiz is cute, but it doesn’t give enough meat to make up the fullest concept of budgeting. I just wanted this to not be pseudoscience bollocks, and I’m afraid it was a bit.
September 1, 2020
challenge: find a paragraph in this book that doesn't include the words "Brene Brown."
This book is ok-ish but tbh you'd get more out of something like Worry Free Money or Money School bc this is just a series of blog posts put in semi cohesive order. This book probably should have stayed blog posts. I didn't find the phenotypes thing accurate or beneficial.
This book is ok-ish but tbh you'd get more out of something like Worry Free Money or Money School bc this is just a series of blog posts put in semi cohesive order. This book probably should have stayed blog posts. I didn't find the phenotypes thing accurate or beneficial.
November 13, 2020
PROS
I found the money types quite interesting. I liked doing the quiz to discover mine (not what I expected). I read along nodding my head thinking, yes that’s me, yes I do that.
CONS
Not enough tips on how to manage your finances based on your money type. Instead of feeling empowered to implement change, I was left a bit confused and wondering, now what?
Very heavily padded out (like most self help books).
I found the money types quite interesting. I liked doing the quiz to discover mine (not what I expected). I read along nodding my head thinking, yes that’s me, yes I do that.
CONS
Not enough tips on how to manage your finances based on your money type. Instead of feeling empowered to implement change, I was left a bit confused and wondering, now what?
Very heavily padded out (like most self help books).
February 14, 2022
Going into this book I was hoping to learn new ways of saving and building better habits with spending money and I have and I'm going to implement them! I found the book fairly easy to get into but by the end was a different story. I think this book was overall pretty helpful and I learnt new things I hadn't known before. I like how Melissa was quite engaging with the reader by including quiz's and other activities to get you to think and take away something from this book other then just reading a whole bunch of information. I think it could've been better laid out and condensed a lot more to make it easier to understand and read.
August 16, 2023
3.25
I think the overall book is good and I will definitely sit down and think about my money habits. The lack of stars is because I felt like everything was mansplained to me which didn’t provide a lot of room to discuss actions to take to prevent these behaviours.
I will definitely be having a sit down about my money habits and I do think this book was a good beginner book to do that.
I think the overall book is good and I will definitely sit down and think about my money habits. The lack of stars is because I felt like everything was mansplained to me which didn’t provide a lot of room to discuss actions to take to prevent these behaviours.
I will definitely be having a sit down about my money habits and I do think this book was a good beginner book to do that.
July 18, 2021
Clearly she has done the Gallup strengths test... ha! she mentions it later. Her Money strengths are intriguing, but I was listening to the audiobook whilst walking, so it was a little hard for me to fill out the questionnaire and when I went to her website, I got a different handout. Shrugs.
Some of her ideas are interesting, like making spending rules. Whatever I spend on shoes I have to pay into shares, for instance. So that pair has to be a real bargain for you to effectively pay twice the price for it. Assuming you are the type of person who WILL put the money into shares anyway and not buy more shoes!
It is not a bad idea to have the money chat with a partner, and in her marriage they both have their own accounts, as that is how they both prefer it. Gah, I remember my mother who earnt more than my father handing all her salary over to him and getting back her 'housekeeping' and having zero money for herself. He, on the other hand bought whatever he wanted.
Ultimately this is really a tie in to her private finance business, so I guess the aim is to get you to buy some of her courses or products, which is a clever business decision but I'm not sure this would be that helpful. It can't hurt and the more chats we have about income, goals, bank accounts and investing, the better. But this felt like not enough detail for me.
2 stars
Some of her ideas are interesting, like making spending rules. Whatever I spend on shoes I have to pay into shares, for instance. So that pair has to be a real bargain for you to effectively pay twice the price for it. Assuming you are the type of person who WILL put the money into shares anyway and not buy more shoes!
It is not a bad idea to have the money chat with a partner, and in her marriage they both have their own accounts, as that is how they both prefer it. Gah, I remember my mother who earnt more than my father handing all her salary over to him and getting back her 'housekeeping' and having zero money for herself. He, on the other hand bought whatever he wanted.
Ultimately this is really a tie in to her private finance business, so I guess the aim is to get you to buy some of her courses or products, which is a clever business decision but I'm not sure this would be that helpful. It can't hurt and the more chats we have about income, goals, bank accounts and investing, the better. But this felt like not enough detail for me.
2 stars
January 28, 2022
Not sure if this is a new book, or just a regurgitation of information from previous books. Highly disappointed. Honestly felt more like an autobiography of Melissa's life and how she got to where she is now. The same information that has been repeated in previous books. Please don't write anymore books until you have mastered the art of not plagiarising yourself (which she did just to make money off of us).
November 17, 2021
This wasn't what I was expecting and I didn't like it. It felt like I was reading a blog, someone making up names for things and grouping everyone together. Giving specific examples for people she knows, I just didn't get into it.
February 19, 2021
What a great easy to follow book. I enjoyed it thoroughly and have already implemented some of the techniques and feel more confident going forward.
March 19, 2021
Attempts to simplify aspects of psychology in relation to money, but comes off a little like a Dolly quiz.
July 31, 2022
I mean it was interesting, but didn't really help with anything to do with finances, like I learned some cool information, but nothing that I could actually physically use.
December 31, 2020
Seemed a bit top heavy on the whole money stories/money type stuff without being as helpful? I found just exact examples of those things more helpful in understanding the concept rather than pages of theories. And then ultimately, the main suggestions from my money type were kind of? Things I had awkwardly come to myself. It is nice to have that confirmation from a (perceived) expert though - and there was some great ideas to take away ways to help yourself in the practical section of the book. It could have done with more of that - and how to develop your personal ideas around money positively.
Still I think it was a good first step into the idea of your personal finance.
Still I think it was a good first step into the idea of your personal finance.
June 11, 2021
I enjoyed doing the money personality quiz and reading her fleshed-out examples of people from each personality type. However, I kinda felt that the descriptions of the various personalities sometimes meshed with and overlapped one another. Maybe it's just me.
Nonetheless, I took away some useful ideas from the book. Such as leveraging financial gamification to get myself to be financially motivated. And putting myself in the shoes of totally unexpected people (like Steve Jobs) to see if my creative brain juices could be stimulated.
Blogged about this book here: https://diaperfinancingfund.blogspot....
Nonetheless, I took away some useful ideas from the book. Such as leveraging financial gamification to get myself to be financially motivated. And putting myself in the shoes of totally unexpected people (like Steve Jobs) to see if my creative brain juices could be stimulated.
Blogged about this book here: https://diaperfinancingfund.blogspot....
April 6, 2025
I’ve been fortunate enough to complete Mel’s financial adulting plan course last year and found it incredibly helpful.
I’ve trialled so many techniques and plans for budgeting, paying off debt, saving and investing but couldn’t understand why I kept sabotaging my success. Understanding my money story and money type has meant I can adapt my stress responses and automation systems to suit me.
I chose to read the book as I life has gotten away from me and I haven’t accessed my content for a couple of months - reading this is a push back into it. I found reading the book and my own pace and writing my prompts and answers down as I went was actually easier than the course itself.
I’ve trialled so many techniques and plans for budgeting, paying off debt, saving and investing but couldn’t understand why I kept sabotaging my success. Understanding my money story and money type has meant I can adapt my stress responses and automation systems to suit me.
I chose to read the book as I life has gotten away from me and I haven’t accessed my content for a couple of months - reading this is a push back into it. I found reading the book and my own pace and writing my prompts and answers down as I went was actually easier than the course itself.
January 28, 2021
I love me a good book about budgets/finances/savings but this one didn’t hit the mark for me. It was repetitive and I found by the time I got to the end, I had already checked out.
However, I did enjoy doing the quiz to find out my “money type”
Her money tips are also the very basic of tips - have a few bank accounts, direct debit bills etc
Also, her constant references to Brene Brown were a bit OTT 😂
All in all, not a great or insightful read for me
However, I did enjoy doing the quiz to find out my “money type”
Her money tips are also the very basic of tips - have a few bank accounts, direct debit bills etc
Also, her constant references to Brene Brown were a bit OTT 😂
All in all, not a great or insightful read for me
March 11, 2023
2.5 stars
I listened to the audiobook version of this which probably hampered my experience a lot (I couldn't stop to write lists or fill out the questionnaire while driving). I liked the concept of the financial phenotype except that I was pretty evenly spread across three of the four types and she only accounted for people having one primary and one secondary type. I didn't really get much out of it that I couldn't have got from doing a quick google search on budgeting tips.
I listened to the audiobook version of this which probably hampered my experience a lot (I couldn't stop to write lists or fill out the questionnaire while driving). I liked the concept of the financial phenotype except that I was pretty evenly spread across three of the four types and she only accounted for people having one primary and one secondary type. I didn't really get much out of it that I couldn't have got from doing a quick google search on budgeting tips.
January 20, 2025
DNF 55% - I’m gonna stick to budgets.
Honestly I was interested in hearing what the author had to say but it’s just a bunch of repetitive phrases that she doesn’t fully explain and a bunch of personal stories that try to relate to what she is saying but kinda misses the point for me. She doesn’t give you tips on how to save your money just trying to make you understand how and why you spend it. Which is important, but not really what I was here for.
Honestly I was interested in hearing what the author had to say but it’s just a bunch of repetitive phrases that she doesn’t fully explain and a bunch of personal stories that try to relate to what she is saying but kinda misses the point for me. She doesn’t give you tips on how to save your money just trying to make you understand how and why you spend it. Which is important, but not really what I was here for.
January 9, 2021
The money tips were FANTASTIC the research that went into this book were not.
The book spoke about a lot but referenced a little
As a financial advisor however, Melissa is THE BOMB. This book is 100% worth reading if you’ve tried a ‘one size fits all’ approach to money and failed.
Made me understand my ‘why’ and better judge my financial situation
The book spoke about a lot but referenced a little
As a financial advisor however, Melissa is THE BOMB. This book is 100% worth reading if you’ve tried a ‘one size fits all’ approach to money and failed.
Made me understand my ‘why’ and better judge my financial situation
September 27, 2021
Focusing on the nature, nurture, environment and history of a person to explain financial habits. Provides some direction in terms of strategies that may work with your financial phenotype. Good examples for relatability. Repeats activities in chapters of their own - appreciated for quick referencing instead of searching inside a chapter. About mindfulness as much as about finance.
April 5, 2021
I love a good financial book, this one in particular I really liked. I found it helpful and full of suggestions that a relateable to today's day in age. This is definitely another book I will reread once a year.
April 29, 2021
I personally connected with the money types and money personality arguments on this fun read.
December 27, 2021
DNF. Only got part way through this. Found nothing of practical use. I have no interest in finding out what my financial spirit animal is.
December 15, 2022
Very knowledgeable and interesting. Helpful tips in a systematic way of finding behaviours and financials
December 21, 2022
Padded out wannabe non psychologist with no practical advice. At 6 hours audio book I'm struggling to finish and I have 4 hours to go ugh.
Read
February 4, 20232.5 stars
March 14, 2023
Just meaningless twaddle. Paragraphs and paragraphs that just say almost nothing
January 5, 2024
Didn’t finish the book.
January 19, 2025
L'ho trovato interessante e di facile comprensione, molti spunti che penso proverò ad applicare.
February 15, 2023
Not for me.
January 24, 2021
From the beginning, I thought the tone sounded patronising/condescending, then I realised she says, "That's what I thought." more than once. There are a lot of stories, studies and statistics, plus the financial phenotype quiz, but by the end, nothing was really practical or resonating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews