To think that Martin Lewis

[Aserena]

often comes across as condescending?
Especially on his podcast.

I’m no financial whizz and I’m genuinely grateful to him for breaking things down simple. It’s his manner rather than the content that I find irritating. AIBU?

Yabu! I love him to bits. He's saved me so much money over the past 15 years.

I love Martin. I don't think he is a particularly relaxed communicator though, which in a way makes me respect him even more

YABU

Don't criticise Martin Lewis. He is definitely annoying and teeny bit egotistical but he is brilliant at what he does and helps so many people.

I wish he would stand for election. He would be a 100% honest and would do the right thing for everyone.

I agree that he may seem patronising on occasion, but I don't think it's intentional at all.

Remember that he's a champion for ordinary people across the whole gamut of financial savvy, so of course, he has to include and speak to people with virtually no money knowledge at all, and for whom the whole thing will be daunting and they will need/appreciate a basic hand-hold through it all. If you're lucky enough to know it all, then he isn't there for you!

Martin is not perfect - who is? - but he is most definitely one of the few genuinely good guys in the world of consumer and personal finances. I agree too that, if he were to stand for election, he should be a dead cert - but, sadly, he's probably far too honest and honourable to ever make it far in that kind of role.

I think what he does is a genuine public service to the less privileged, and I don’t give a toss what manner he uses while he does it.

OP, can you give examples of how he comes across as condescending?

Think it’s great that he’s straight talking …rather than the hogwash of politicians all fake charm but 0 substance.

Least he’s contributing something of value.

I've never heard his podcasts, but I do enjoy his website/articles.

However, I cannot bear to watch his tv show - it's frenetic and irritates me beyond measure.

Martin Lewis is often trying to chunk down and simplify highly convoluted financial information which is designed to fleece people struggling on low incomes. How would you do what he does, OP, as effectively as he does it?

Yep, didn't think so... 🙄

I think he would be brilliant in government, either as chancellor or as a consumer champion. Without him I would be in tons of debt, he helped me get thousands back from things like PPI & bank charges & his site helps me understand things like the energy & utilities market better & get the best deals.

I think he is fantastic, I have dyscalculia and I find he makes money and numbers accessible to many people that would normally put their head in the sand with anything financially related.

Also he saves you money but you find him unreasonable? Switch off then, the rest of us are grateful to his information, not his media savy/training.

You are being unreasonable he should be knighted for his services to the public , surely more deserving than some (Gavin Williamson).

Martin Lewis is often trying to chunk down and simplify highly convoluted financial information which is designed to fleece people struggling on low incomes.

Yes, this. I don't think that most of us will ever really appreciate just how much lofty knowledge he breaks down so that we can understand it!

I also think that he's naturally a real introvert who isn't overly comfortable with the public profile that he has, but he realises (humbly) that he has a unique gift and he tolerates the fame for the greater good of using his gift to help the ordinary man and woman.

It is so refreshing, when you realise how very easily he could have used his 'powers' to royally take advantage of everyday folk; but instead, he uses them to stay one step ahead of the great many who DO want to do exactly that, but he can outsmart them on our behalf - they must really hate him, and be baffled as to why he doesn't just join them on the dark side!

Oh noooooo do not criticise Martin Lewis, is a #nationaltreasure

Why on earth do you want to whinge about someone who has helped so many people?

Leave Martin alone. You can go after anyone else ( also not David Attenborough) but leave him. YABVU.

Not heard his podcast but don't find him condescending and I think his simplistic approach is what makes his advice so accessible as he doesn't assume you already have a grasp of the topic.

Used his website years, he's always irritated me a bit with the speed and over enthusiasm he speaks with reminds me of a market salesman but is a likeable guy. Sadly I struggle to watch his TV, show, I swear he talks even faster and shouty than usual and it feels like hurtling round all the segments on a rollercoaster, quite an anxiety inducing experience.

YAB hugely U

I think he’s fantastic, his authenticity and genuine desire to help people is incredibly refreshing. His manner and way of talking is what it is- I much prefer that to the media-polished, pitch-perfect but soulless manner of address that so many TV personalities adopt.

He could have also quietly gone away and enjoyed his millions, yet he continues to work and campaign (because it's not just being in the media and shouting about switching and reclaiming, he does a lot of campaigning work and is constantly badgering the government, standing up for the ordinary person, to the extent that they actually consult him now because they know he'll be in their face about mortgage interest rate hikes, energy costs or a consumer issue sooner or later anyway) and without him, it's unlikely we'd have a lot of the current help available with these issues that have affected people so badly.

He also donated huge amounts of his own money (millions!) to COVID and energy costs support funds, set up a 'money and mental health' charity foundation and paid for and wrote a financial education textbook, gave a copy to all schools and made it freely available for everyone to download.

Plus the Moneysaving Expert website is a fantastic resource for just about all 'money' issues (except investments, which he is always clear he stays away from) and the answer to just about any money issue like budgeting, mortgage or energy cost worries, or any consumer issue is 'look on Moneysaving Expert'.

For example, anyone left high and dry by the recent air traffic control issues would be able to look through their standard guide to flight delay rights and, within a day or two at most, been able to find a comprehensive, easy to understand, guide that has been tailored to the specific air traffic control fuck up a couple of weeks ago.

Can’t stand his shouty approach but appreciate his sentiments!

Martin Lewis is fab. He's always on the government's backs about things too which we need! Just imagine how much more screwed we would be without him.
Give him the government's budget he'll sort the country out by xmas

He’s obviously doing very admirable things with his website and considerable skills and I applaud him for that. There’s just something about his body language and personality that gives me pause for thought but I don’t know him so it’s hard to judge him accurately.