Bad with Money

The Imperfect Art of Getting Your Financial Sh*t Together

By: Gaby Dunn

Narrated by: Gaby Dunn

“Humorous and forthright...[Gaby] Dunn makes facing money issues seem not only palatable but possibly even fun....Dunn’s book delivers.” —Publishers Weekly

The beloved writer-comedian expands on his popular podcast with an engaging and empowering financial literacy book for Millennials and Gen Z.

In the first episode of his Bad With Money podcast, Gaby Dunn asked patrons at a coffee shop two questions: First, what’s your favorite sex position? Everyone was game to answer, even the barista. Then, she asked how much money was in their bank accounts. People were aghast. “That’s a very personal question,” they insisted. And therein lies the problem.

Dunn argues that our inability to speak honestly about money is our #1 barrier to understanding it, leading us to feel alone, ashamed, and anxious. In Bad With Money, he reveals the systemic reasons behind our struggles with personal finance, demystifying how to choose an insurance plan, sign up for a credit card, or take out student loans. With a mix of humor, relatable storytelling, and genuine advice, Dunn breaks down essential life skills like budgeting, freelancing, and handling dating and money.

Even a topic as dry as personal finance becomes engaging, accessible, and downright funny in Dunn’s hands, as he combines insight and real talk to help readers take charge of their financial future.

Critic reviews

"The comic and financial podcaster delivers her excellent guide with the tone and pacing of someone with an oversupply of energy. Along with authenticity and humility, she provides the perfect combination of vocal characteristics for the easily bored Millennials and Gen Z listeners she hopes to reach with her self-disclosures and advice. A Millennial herself, she runs through the common challenges she's faced establishing credit, overspending, affording housing, putting out financial fires, and finding markets for her comedy and journalism skills. She also conveys the message that being honest about your strengths and weaknesses is an essential starting point for financial responsibility. Propelled by her entertaining vocal personality and chatty writing, this is essential listening for young people who are beginning their quest for self-sufficiency."

The best book I've read in years

I feel like Gaby knows me. Her writing style is so relatable and down to earth. I learned so much about my spending problems and where it stemmed from. I also feel a kindred spirit with Gaby since i grew up jewish in south florida and understood a lot of the references she made. I had a very eye opening conversation with my mom after reading this and now she has purchased a copy for herself.

Lacking... "Getting Your Sh*T Together"

There was a lot of talk about this happened to me and that happened to me and so on, but really lacked any perspective on how to actually "Get YOUR financial Sh*t together" and I also did not care to hear the final "we need socialism" chapter at the end. It was a good listen but I did not get what I thought I'd get out of the book.

Very Relatable

Absolutely loved it! Some parts sounded like she was reading from some of my personal experiences.

loved it!!

I've been a big podcast listener since the beginning. I love it all. Thank you for everything you do.

perfectly imperfect

an important perspective on money we don't frequently hear. race, class, gender, sexuality are often muted during the conversation about managing money.