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Live on Less, Invest the Rest: A Plain English workbook for sorting out your personal finances, once and for all.
Research shows that as many as 75% of people in the UK worry about their financial situation. ( The Independent). In America, 25% of people say they worry about money “all the time”. ( CNBC). It need not be like this! We created this Plain English guide to address this problem head on “Live on less, invest the rest” picks up where Andrew Craig’s No. 1 best-seller, “How to Own the World” leaves off. Andrew’s new workbook is a companion text to his original best-seller and to the Plain English Finance online Community. The book embeds what we have learned from that group over the last several years. “Live on less, invest the rest” is the evolution of a document called the “Complete Guide” which members of our Community have received for free since 2014 when joining that group. In that time, Andrew and the rest of the Plain English Finance team have been able to see all the various questions and concerns that are most regularly raised by our members. “Live on less…” is a reaction to those questions and an attempt to summarise the answers as succinctly as possible in one place. Topics covered Investment need not be that complicated – it is just that most people never learn anything about it. The approach outlined in “Live on less, invest the rest…” should give you the confidence to sort your finances out once and for all. For most people, this is a huge relief and one of life’s great problems solved. The book can work as a stand-alone product but is ideally designed to work hand in hand with our live and interactive online Community. With this in mind, there is a promo’ code in the back of the book which gives you one month of free access to that group if you purchase a copy (access is usually £5 a month). …Or you can do it the other way around - in that anyone joining our group receives a free digital copy. This gives you the chance to experience the benefits of the group whether you’re the sort of person who prefers a print or a digital copy. Our fervent hope is that the approach outlined in “Live on less, invest the rest” could very well help you make a five, six or even seven figure difference to your net worth over the long run.
176 pages, Paperback
Published July 21, 2020
76 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Craig
38 books40 followersAndrew Craig graduated in Economics and International Politics in 1997. His first job took him to Washington DC where he worked for a US Congressman on Capitol Hill. Since then, he has spent over fifteen years working in financial markets for various firms in London and New York. These have included UBS, Credit Agricole (France’s biggest bank) and SEB (one of Sweden’s largest banks). He is currently a partner at boutique investment bank, WG Partners.
During his career, Andrew has met and travelled with the top management teams of several hundred companies and been involved with the stock market flotation (IPO) of the likes of Burberry, Campari, easyJet, HMV, lastminute.com, Carluccio’s and the Carbon Trust. Andrew does not claim to be a financial “guru”, but he is confident he can help you. At the most basic level his view is simply that you really owe it to yourself to learn enough about money and investment to get your financial house in order. The rewards for doing this are life-changing.
Learning about money is also nowhere near as difficult as you may previously have thought. You can learn how to do a perfectly good job with your money just as easily as you learnt how to drive, for example. Andrew would argue that it is crazy that nearly everyone accepts that it is normal and entirely possible to learn how to drive but most people think that learning about money is too hard or just not for them. Real financial literacy should be taught at every school in the country. To that end, he knows that you will find the information in How to Own the World truly life changing...
During his career, Andrew has met and travelled with the top management teams of several hundred companies and been involved with the stock market flotation (IPO) of the likes of Burberry, Campari, easyJet, HMV, lastminute.com, Carluccio’s and the Carbon Trust. Andrew does not claim to be a financial “guru”, but he is confident he can help you. At the most basic level his view is simply that you really owe it to yourself to learn enough about money and investment to get your financial house in order. The rewards for doing this are life-changing.
Learning about money is also nowhere near as difficult as you may previously have thought. You can learn how to do a perfectly good job with your money just as easily as you learnt how to drive, for example. Andrew would argue that it is crazy that nearly everyone accepts that it is normal and entirely possible to learn how to drive but most people think that learning about money is too hard or just not for them. Real financial literacy should be taught at every school in the country. To that end, he knows that you will find the information in How to Own the World truly life changing...
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
January 30, 2021
This book is a follow-up to How to Own the World, which I actually haven't read yet - so I can't comment on how much it repeats the same points or whether it adds anything. I'm really not into personal finance books at all, to be honest, and regard the whole genre as somewhere between useless self-help and outright scams. That said, there was some useful advice here for someone who knows nothing about investing (i.e. me). Andrew Craig is clearly trying to sell his own investment fund, his community online, etc, so I found that somewhat annoying - and the whole thing was a bit too hypercapitalist, get-rich-quick (well, not quick, but the idea that wealth is within anyone's reach in today's economy, and that you just need to invest sensibly to get there, is... hard to believe) for me. Worth reading though, as it was so short.
April 11, 2021
If you’re looking for a book that gives a great overview on investing...look no further! Andrew Craig’s book shares in plain English his recommendations on how to invest wisely.
The book is a quick read and he covers many topics such as funds to consider, asset allocation, aggressive vs defensive investments, buying gold, brokers and even a little at the end on finance books, websites and podcasts.
He does reference his first book (How to Own the World) a few times as a place where you can find more information, which is frustrating as I haven’t read or own this one...however I enjoyed this book so much I think I’m going to have to purchase it next :)
The book is a quick read and he covers many topics such as funds to consider, asset allocation, aggressive vs defensive investments, buying gold, brokers and even a little at the end on finance books, websites and podcasts.
He does reference his first book (How to Own the World) a few times as a place where you can find more information, which is frustrating as I haven’t read or own this one...however I enjoyed this book so much I think I’m going to have to purchase it next :)
December 23, 2022
Great top level intro to investing
March 18, 2021
I really enjoyed How To Own The World, and found it very instructive. Being a fan of Andrew Craig and Plain English Finance as a whole, I was under the impression that this book would dive deeper into the information given in How To Own The World, but I unfortunately found it redundant to the third edition, like a fourth edition with a different tag line.
Although 5 years have passed since the third edition, there is not much change to the advice, which speaks to its validity of being sound no matter the times which is a good thing! This being said, I don’t think it’s necessary to purchase this book on top of the third edition, with many sections of the novel identical to that of How To Own the World. I reckon reading the Third Edition and keeping up with his site is sufficient 👍🏻
Although 5 years have passed since the third edition, there is not much change to the advice, which speaks to its validity of being sound no matter the times which is a good thing! This being said, I don’t think it’s necessary to purchase this book on top of the third edition, with many sections of the novel identical to that of How To Own the World. I reckon reading the Third Edition and keeping up with his site is sufficient 👍🏻
December 16, 2020
“How to Own the World" revisited
I loved “How to Own the World" and regard it as something as a bible but this book is a addendum to the former at best and constantly mentions it. There is some extra information in it but this could have easily have been incorporated into a second edition. The other thing is Andrew advises sitting back and organising your finances and basically leaving well alone. But at the same time he encourages you to join his community to endlessly discus finance. It's a dichotomy that doesn't square easily the dilemma between doing nothing and endlessly tinkering.
I loved “How to Own the World" and regard it as something as a bible but this book is a addendum to the former at best and constantly mentions it. There is some extra information in it but this could have easily have been incorporated into a second edition. The other thing is Andrew advises sitting back and organising your finances and basically leaving well alone. But at the same time he encourages you to join his community to endlessly discus finance. It's a dichotomy that doesn't square easily the dilemma between doing nothing and endlessly tinkering.
May 8, 2024
It was a quick read (well, I listened to the audiobook version). It references a lot to the author's previous book: how to own the world (which I hadn't read yet).
Nevertheless, it does provide a good amount of investment ideas that I hadn't thought of, especially in some commodities.
Though the main investment accounts mentioned throughout the book (e.g., ISAs) are applicable only for those living in the UK, the same tips can be adapted for those living in, my case, a European country, which may have a different set of tax rules for similar accounts (if available).
Even though I am familiar with a few investment accounts in the UK, US and some countries in Europe, this may lead a beginner to think that this book is only useful for those residing in the UK.
However, it is a good intro to investing.
Nevertheless, it does provide a good amount of investment ideas that I hadn't thought of, especially in some commodities.
Though the main investment accounts mentioned throughout the book (e.g., ISAs) are applicable only for those living in the UK, the same tips can be adapted for those living in, my case, a European country, which may have a different set of tax rules for similar accounts (if available).
Even though I am familiar with a few investment accounts in the UK, US and some countries in Europe, this may lead a beginner to think that this book is only useful for those residing in the UK.
However, it is a good intro to investing.
October 7, 2025
(Audiobook) Read by the author himself.
This is a great introduction into investing if you have no prior knowledge but also digs slightly deeper in places, if that's what you're into. There are probably slightly simpler books or videos on YouTube that explain the concept of long-term investing in less words. But, I think the level of depth here is perfect. Not excessive and not too little.
My only complaint is the level of self-advertisement of Craig's own fund. However at least he is honest about it. I just feel like it gets too repetitive.
This is a great introduction into investing if you have no prior knowledge but also digs slightly deeper in places, if that's what you're into. There are probably slightly simpler books or videos on YouTube that explain the concept of long-term investing in less words. But, I think the level of depth here is perfect. Not excessive and not too little.
My only complaint is the level of self-advertisement of Craig's own fund. However at least he is honest about it. I just feel like it gets too repetitive.
October 25, 2023
make up your own mind
Anyone who wants to own their finances and not have it control you will enjoy this book. Andrew has laid out the approach you could take in plain English. I think this book should be a must-read for anyone who owns a bank account. It’s a quick read but I will be reading it again and again as I get to different stages in my finance journey.
Anyone who wants to own their finances and not have it control you will enjoy this book. Andrew has laid out the approach you could take in plain English. I think this book should be a must-read for anyone who owns a bank account. It’s a quick read but I will be reading it again and again as I get to different stages in my finance journey.
August 23, 2020
Andy Craig gives practical and sensible advice on how to save money so that you can invest for your future. I wish I had a book like this when I was young. I have still benefited massively from following his advice. If you read nothing else ever - read and follow this!!!
September 18, 2020
Live on less
Great book. I have read authors first book and I recommend it. I wanted to know more on how to invest my money. Building an emergency account is very important and having no debt first is best to start investing your money.
Great book. I have read authors first book and I recommend it. I wanted to know more on how to invest my money. Building an emergency account is very important and having no debt first is best to start investing your money.
October 13, 2020
Very clear way forward to investing time and energy into a practical approach to finance. Recommend this book to anyone who wants to turn their finances around and make positive change for a stable financial future for themselves.
August 1, 2022
waste of time
Adds literally nothing to ‘how to own the world’. That was a good book but don’t buy this as well or instead - it’s just a short summary of ‘how to own the world’, with added sales pitch for the author’s fund.
Adds literally nothing to ‘how to own the world’. That was a good book but don’t buy this as well or instead - it’s just a short summary of ‘how to own the world’, with added sales pitch for the author’s fund.
January 8, 2025
Lots of valuable information
Really informative and easy to read. But there are too many references back to how to own the world. That said, I will be implementing a lot of what I learnt straight away.
Really informative and easy to read. But there are too many references back to how to own the world. That said, I will be implementing a lot of what I learnt straight away.
March 4, 2025
Great, more of a handbook to go alongside how to own the world. Excellent to go back to for quick references. Own the world gives you the big picture, this tells you how to actually use that macro into actionable steps.
January 22, 2021
Too repetitive of some ideas over and over again.
January 28, 2021
Great read
August 8, 2022
Nice book, especially if you are from the UK as it is very focused on what's possible there. Unfortunately, in the country I live 50% of things he talks about don't exist.
November 16, 2023
Good little add on the Craig’s excellent book.
February 26, 2025
Worth the read- investing for dummies
August 3, 2025
Brilliant book so so informative! Will definitely read others from Andrew Craig!
September 3, 2025
One of the best finance books I’ve read, learnt a lot and was very clear to read. A good intro to finance!
November 5, 2022
Not as juicy as How to Own the World but definitely some practical steps and tips to get you going on your financial journey.
May 31, 2022
Amazing A "must read"
I heard Andrew on a podcast and bought his books straight after. They're a goldmine of information and a 'must read' in my opinion.
I heard Andrew on a podcast and bought his books straight after. They're a goldmine of information and a 'must read' in my opinion.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews