Ouch!: What you don't know about money and why it matters (more than you think)

It's time to wake up or get wiped out. We live in a world dominated by a system that most of us aren’t aware of, never mind understand. When it comes to money and how it really works, most of us are too busy, too bored or too bewildered to think about it, despite being at the sharp end of the consequences. We simply don’t recognise the game that is being played out in front of us. Well check your pockets; you’re in for a nasty shock. OUCH! is your entertaining answer to financial fear, ignorance or confusion. Quintessentially irreverent but with a deadly serious message  - ultimately it tells you how to protect your hard earned cash and save yourself from financial meltdown. You can’t afford to ignore it.  

Table of Contents:
About the author Publisher's acknowledgements Author's acknowledgements Introduction   CHAPTER 1. SHOW ME THE MONEY - its origins and how it works   Money, that’s what I want Prehistoric transactions Origin of faeces The ultimate confidence trick Empty promises How fictional money is created The most powerful force in the universe Taking advantage The stupidity tax Chequebook vandalism   CHAPTER 2. PARALYTICALLY INCORRECT - Wake up to your reality  Paralytically incorrect Follow the white rabbit For richer, for poorer De-railing the gravy train A bit of a kerfuffle     CHAPTER 3. FIGHTING INSTINCTS - Understanding human behaviour and risk   Fight, flight and blight 'Oops!' inside your head The curious case of Phineas Gage PETs ‘R’ Us The paradox Abdication of responsibility Baaaaaaaa Probability vs. uncertainty Out of control Risk it, for a biscuit Predictable and irrational?   CHAPTER 4. IGNORE EVERYONE - Stop the press and join the noise abatement society   Porky pies Why 97 per cent are wrong Jaw on the floor Sponge me down Manufacturing consent Vested interest Analyse this Illusion of knowledge Seven deadly sins Exceptions to the rule   CHAPTER 5. RUB MY CRYSTAL BALL - The dismal science partially demystified   Rhyme on time Three house rules How much? Generational Dynamics Dr Doom and the law of consequences The orgy Smack my bitch up Morton’s Fork   CHAPTER 6. MARKET DNA - Understanding how the market operates     Fancy a coffee? Meet the sentiments Smart money vs. dumb money It’s been emotional Beauty contest Time horizons Asset allocation Dividend and conquer Rip off What’s eating you? Like sheep to the slaughter The Chartist movement Voodoo monthanomics? Closing the donut The peasants are revolting      CHAPTER 7. ENTER THE DOJO - Foible combat - retraining your brain  Stop fibbing Me, myself and I Can’t be arsed finds the Holy Grail? Brain rewiring Fight club   CHAPTER 8.  WHO ATE MY MAMMOTH? - Avoiding extinction and riding the money tides   Barking mad Metal guru Money tides Weighing the anchor Thrown in the stocks From peer to eternity Tripwires et al. Random kindness   Appendix: Schemes A dollop of source Index  

About the Author :
Paul Knott does not work in the finance industry, he’s one of us. Someone who has a passion for helping others make the most of what they have. A business turnaround specialist he is no stranger to protecting people’s money in a crisis. Paul has a degree in Mathematics from University of London and a Masters in Retail Marketing from TIAS Business School in the Netherlands. He currently resides beachside in Whitstable, and Brazil.