Financial Terms People Pretend to Understand Book by Thomas Rooney
Understand the language of money with plain-English explanations anyone can follow.
Now Available for Kindle Pre-Order
Kindle Edition Releases July 7, 2026
Why I Wrote This Book
After publishing Understanding Money: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Finance, I spent a lot of time thinking about the questions people ask when trying to improve their financial knowledge. What stood out was not a lack of interest or effort. Instead, many people felt overwhelmed by the language used in financial conversations.
Terms like inflation, interest rates, credit scores, mortgages, compound interest, and the Federal Reserve are discussed every day by financial professionals, news commentators, and everyday consumers. Yet many people hear these terms repeatedly without ever receiving a clear explanation of what they actually mean.
I wrote Financial Terms People Pretend to Understand to help change that.
This book takes the mystery out of common financial terminology by explaining concepts in plain English, without unnecessary jargon or technical language. My goal is not to turn readers into financial experts overnight. Instead, it is to help them build confidence, follow financial conversations more easily, and make better-informed decisions about their money.
Understanding money starts with understanding the language of money. This book was written to provide that foundation in a way that is practical, approachable, and easy to follow.
Financial conversations can feel overwhelming when everyone assumes you already know the terminology. This book breaks down common financial terms into simple explanations that help you follow the conversation with confidence.
What You'll Learn
- Common banking terms
- Investing terminology
- Credit and borrowing language
- Mortgage and home financing terms
- Retirement planning concepts
- How Money Works
- Economic terms frequently discussed in the news
Who This Book Is For
- People who want to understand financial conversations with confidence
- New investors trying to learn the language of money
- Adults who never received formal financial education
- Students preparing for life after school
- Anyone who has ever heard a financial term and thought, "I should probably know what that means."
Sample Terms Covered
| Term | Simple Explanation |
|---|---|
| Inflation | Rising prices over time |
| Interest Rate | Cost of borrowing money |
| Credit Score | A measure of borrowing reliability |
| Mortgage | A loan used to buy a home |
| Compound Interest | Interest earned on interest |
| Federal Reserve | The U.S. central banking system |
Why Understanding Financial Terms Matters
Financial decisions become easier when you understand the language being used. Whether you’re opening a bank account, applying for a loan, investing for retirement, or simply following financial news, knowing what key terms mean can help you make more informed decisions with confidence.
About the Author
Tom Rooney holds a degree in Economics and is the author of Understanding Money: A Beginner’s Guide to Personal Finance. Through his writing, he helps readers build confidence in their financial knowledge by explaining money concepts in clear, practical language.
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