The Story of Money
A man surrounded by shopping boxes beside a nearly empty savings jar

Chapter 5

Money Mistakes

Most money problems are not caused by one big error but by small, repeated ones. Here's how to spot them early.

A man surrounded by shopping boxes beside a nearly empty savings jar

Impulse Spending

Why we buy on impulse, how stores and apps encourage it, and practical ways to stop unplanned purchases.

A man surrounded by shopping boxes beside a nearly empty savings jar

Lifestyle Inflation

How rising income can lead to rising spending, why it keeps people stuck, and how to grow wealth as your income grows.

An old leather ledger, quill pen and stacks of coins on a banker's desk

Hidden Fees That Drain Your Money

Overdraft fees, ATM fees, high fund expense ratios and subscription traps: how small fees add up and how to avoid them.

A hand tapping a smartphone to pay at a cafe counter

Money Scams and How to Avoid Them

Common money scams, including impostors, fake investments, romance and payment-app scams, and the warning signs that protect you.

A woman reviewing long-term investment charts on a laptop

Chasing Quick Riches

Why get-rich-quick schemes fail, how hype and fear of missing out drive bad decisions, and what builds wealth instead.

Helpful resources

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