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?

I think if you are already clued up on the issues he discusses then you may think he's condescending in a yes yes we know this way. But he's not talking to those people. He's talking to people who have a vague idea about something but need it broken down or who have never encountered it before.

YABU, he is pitching his message at those who have not heard about things before. I think he does a great job.

He's especially good at getting messages out about deadlines/campaigns coming up that people would otherwise miss.

I think the fact he's enthusiastic is a positive.

Me too! I have tried to watch them because of all the useful info, but i find it exactly the same.
I do like him though.

What's up OP? You don't like his manner? how about his appearance? His teeth? His hair? Some other complete irrelevancy? Martin Lewis has helped millions of people as the government of this country has sat fiddling while Rome burns. That's what matters and that's why YABVVVU.

This - I do appreciate the sentiments but it's usually too early in the morning for anyone to be that loud when I'm listening to Radio 4 and he comes on!

I've been thinking since posting above and I don't think he's condescending at all. I think he knows - as we all know because surveys, research, evidence shows it time after time - that people don't engage with or understand personal finance.

He then communicates the key bits of info to that huge group of people.

It is not condescending to provide info.

Somebody telling people things that you personally know already is not "condescending".

He’s clearly a clever man, seen a gap in the market and filled it.
For those who ask why he doesn’t use his financial knowledge to make money, he has! Apparently he is worth £123m so I am a little bemused by the ‘he’s just doing it to help people comments’.

OP you might think he's condescending and stating the obvious on his podcast, but you only have to see the questions posted on here to know that a lot of people are quite unaware about a lot of financial issues.

Energy direct debits vs actual bills
Whether or not overpaying a mortgage is the right thing to do
Child benefit tax for high earners
Benefits of credit cards unrelated to getting into debt/spending money you don't have

The list goes on.

I love him.

big fan of his Money Saving Expert website, especially the forum. The website is often my go to place for guidance and the regulars on the forum are super helpful, and there’s no troll posts or bitchy posters. Just good sensible advice on all things money related. From debt to investments to pensions to houses.

Martin Lewis rocks.

I agree with all of this.

Honestly, all the people in the world and you felt the need to make a thread criticising Martin Lewis. Really??? He’s not there to be a charming celebrity, it doesn’t matter that his delivery isn’t perfectly smooth.

Yes you are being very unreasonable. He has saved my family so much money and actually cares about people’s economic struggles.

The difference between MSE and Mumsnet is fascinating, given that they're probably two of the largest forums in the UK so you'd expect to have a lot of similarities.

The other thing you generally don't see on MSE that is rife on here is people posting advice that would rarely be the best course of action for the OP, eg the obsession with overpaying mortgages or paying an IFA to get answers to quite basic questions about relatively small amounts of money.

Revival of zombie threads and multiple people repeatedly posting the same comments even when the thread has changed direction doesn't seem to be a thing either.

Plus the site is hugely financially successful without cluttering up the forums with adverts as it's funded by affiliate links so quite an achievement when the whole ethos is to get everything as cheap as possible, and if there's a loophole available to get it even cheaper, to do that as well.

You realise when you shit on good people they stop wanting to help right OP?

Martin Lewis MSE started me on a financial education journey many years ago.

At a time where nothing was taught in schools or at home, I had somewhere to go to get the basics.

That website changed my life and yes it’s not the be all of finance but it’s a fantastic resource to start getting your finances in order to a place you want to learn more. The forum is also incredibly supportive and helpful

His tv shows could be calmer but we need people like him fighting for us and raising issues on tv.

He could have retired with millions but has fought on and used a lot of that money for good

Ah no I think he's great.
And tbh his current instagram post about his wife has just made me love him even more!!

i dont think he is condescending
a bit shouty though

I struggle to follow him when he talks so fast. Appreciate he's probably trying to squeeze what hen needs to say into a limited time slot though. His website is invaluable. Always go there before switching utilities or credit cards

Following

Jesus is no one safe. The guy has done a lot for others!

Why not just appreciate him instead of trying to get folk to launch a character assassination

I think he's great, as others say he's trying to get often complicated financial matters broken down simply for people who might not get it. And, just as important, I think big institutions listen to him, because they know he will call them to account.

I think he's great. I would say I'm quite financially savvy but I consult his site a lot about ISAs, student finance etc and it's been absolutely invaluable. Really accessible and easy to follow - literally saves hours of research that is probably have given up on.

I've seen bits of his programme and maybe he does seem a bit shouting and patronising but he's a super logical person and probably feels exasperated sometimes at the mess people get into. Though obviously that's the point of his programme!

Another poster said they think he's an introvert at heart and I'd also heard he's not really a people person and can be a bit snappy and not "nice" in real life but that is sometimes how introverts come across (ask me how I know!)

I work among a lot of sales people so I find intense, alphas like ML a bit stress-inducing as it feels like being in the office, but there can be no doubt he provides a useful service.

That said he's not always right, I remember just before the energy crisis really kicked off he was advising people not to fix to a (hugely increased) new deal. I had just done so and when I saw his advice I was furious with myself but it proved to be absolutely the right thing as I was fixed at a manageable level for the worst of the crisis.

The way he explains interest / borrowing etc is incredibly important - should be on the school curriculum.

It's his fault I got rid of my debt, earnt extra on the side, put money into an Icelandic bank, got it out again 2 hours before it went bust, paid my mortgage off early saving a huge chuck of interest payments, paid up all my NI, drew down my pensions and retired 15 years early with enough money to buy a second house in France whilst renting our UK house out.

Bastard.