About this ebook
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.
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.
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, ...
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Ratings and reviews
29 reviews
David M.
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July 25, 2026
I freaking LOVED this book. It opened my eyes up to so much stuff and it did so in a funny, direct and easy-to-understand way. Definitely buying his next book, should he write one.
David Steel
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May 18, 2026
This is a great book! Covers a wide range of subjects and written in such a way to easily understand and keep reading. Would recommend this book everyone. Also recommend Chris's YouTube channel and podcast on Spotify.
Brydee Strang
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July 11, 2026
Can you even trust a five star review? Guess you'll have to read it to find out. JK this is a very accessible and wry look at the wiles of finance, a clear insight into a world which typically is set out to bamboozle. 4.99 Stars.
About the author
Chris Kohler is Finance Editor across the 9News network. 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.
Chris Kohler is Finance Editor across the 9News network. 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, ...
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