FLY: Financially Literate Youth

FLY: Financially Literate Youth by Jai Hobbs and Marlies Hobbs (Penguin Random House Australia) PB RRP $29.99 ISBN: 9781761041341

Reviewed by Dannielle Viera

According to a 2018 survey, ‘fewer than 25 per cent of young people aged 17–24 could accurately answer five questions on financial literacy’. Mortgage broker Jai Hobbs and his wife, Marlies (formerly a property development lawyer), aim to increase this percentage with their excellent book, FLY: Financially Literate Youth. From opening a bank account and paying tax to renting or buying a property and starting a business, Jai and Marlies cover every important aspect of monetary knowledge.

Each chapter begins with a handy list of ‘pennies that should drop’ – things that the reader will learn in the chapter. Short paragraphs featuring bite-sized pieces of advice, bullet points and plenty of white space allow young brains room to consider the information on offer, without overwhelming them with reams of impenetrable explanations filled with jarring jargon.

While the book is largely text-based, there are some charts and tables to break up the paragraphs. Simple graphics are occasionally used as a visual representation of the topic being discussed, while boxes describing real-world scenarios help to make abstract ideas more tangible. In addition, inspirational quotes are sprinkled throughout the pages, encouraging young adults as they take their first steps towards financial success.

FLY: Financially Literate Youth is a superb book for teenagers, as it demystifies a wealth of complex financial concepts in an easy-to-understand way. It will become their go-to guide for any money-related situation that crops up, and is sure to be referred to again and again as they take wing and soar from the parental nest.