Some of the most important financial lessons we can learn definitely come from personal finance books written by legends. These timeless, in-depth nd witty reads, provide a solid source of well-rounded finance information. So whether you are a blogger, a student, a frugal mother or a millennial who wants to have their finances under control there are some books you have to have in your library.
In order to find out which are the best personal finance books, we asked some of the top finance bloggers and experts to share their opinion and here are the results:
1.The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko – 20 Votes
Written by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, The Millionaire Next Door is one of the best finance books for those that are keen to accumulate wealth. This is a bestselling finance book that has proven hugely popular and contains valuable information for those that want to make the most of their lives by improving their wealth. The book was published in 1998 but has since been updated.
The book focuses on common traits amongst those who have become wealthy, and as the name suggests it indicates that most of those with true wealth do not live in upper-class areas but next door. The authors show how simple it can actually be to become one of America’s wealthy people by learning about these common traits that those who have accumulated wealth display. The great thing about this book is that it does not focus on the obviously wealthy such as celebrities but on the everyday person that has managed to accumulate wealth.
The authors have carried out extensive research into the characteristics displayed by those that have become millionaires. The information that they have put together from their findings is inspirational and informative, as it is not all about get quick rich schemes but about practical ways in which people have managed to increase their wealth.
Great for practical information
While this is not a book that focuses on improving personal finance specifically, it is very useful for those that want to learn what it takes to become wealthy. This is in terms of actions that you can take by learning from the research of the authors such as investing wisely, identifying great opportunities, and living below your means. The information in the book is very common-sense and practical as well as informative, and it has received excellent reviews from many of those that have read it.
2. I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi – 14 Votes
This book is an excellent tool for those that have the drive and ambition to be wealthy but lack the financial know-how. The author of the book, Ramit Sethi, has aimed his book at those aged between 2o and 35 years. This is not only a book but an actual program to help younger people be more financially savvy. It comprises a six-week program that is practical, simple to follow, and very effective.
The book is broken up into four main sections or segments. Each of these covers a different financial topic such as saving, budgeting, banking, and investing. For those that want to learn more about entrepreneurship, this book is a valuable learning tool. While the information in the book is easy to digest it is also very serious and practical advice that will enable younger people to make the most of their financial future.
An ideal tool for younger people
Helping those in their 20s and 30s to gain financial independence is an important part of this book, which is why it is such a valuable resource for those who want to be successful when it comes to money. The valuable advice will help you with many different areas of finance, from dealing with credit card fees and banking fees through to managing loans and being more frugal when it comes to spending money.
In short, this book serves as an ideal tool for younger people who want to make the most of their money, learn how to make more money, and work toward a successful future. In as little as six weeks, you can use this program to learn a wide range of skills and lessons relating to finance. The broad range of financial topics covered means that the lessons you learn will be diverse and designed to help you in a variety of different ways.
3. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – 13 Votes
Since its initial release back in 1997, this personal finance book has enjoyed huge levels of success. The book, which is written by Robert Kiyosaki, is based on this own upbringing with his own dad and the dad of his best friend, the latter being the rich one. The author goes into detail about how both of these adults, who he classed as dads, made a mark when it came to his thoughts in relation to money and investment.
If you are keen to find out how to make your money work for you rather than the other way around, this is a book that you should definitely read. Over the years, the book has been updated so you can rest assured that you will be able to benefit from up to date information that is designed to provide practical help. The author covers the variety of principles that he learned from his rich dad and demonstrates how they have helped him and how they are still valid today.
Making the most of your finances
You will find out more about the myths relating to becoming rich and successful as well as being able to learn about how you should teach your own kids about finances. The book is packed with information that is designed to provide you with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to make a success of your financial future. In addition, you can help to make your child’s financial future more successful by teaching the valuable principles that the author’s rich dad taught him.
If you want to learn more about how to make the most of your finances, this book can prove invaluable. The information is clear and easy to understand but also offers a fresh look at ways in which you can boost your financial success.
4 – Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin – 12 Votes
This bestselling finance book is considered an essential read by many and it is a proven method of making a financial success of your future, with some already having followed the advice successfully. Written by Vicki Robin, this book focuses on taking control of your finances as well as your life so that you do not end up giving up your life in order to make money.
Many people these days have no work-life balance and spend all of their time working in order to make money. However, this book focuses on how to strike a balance as well as how to budget more effectively so that you do not end up wasting the money that you spent so long trying to earn.
There are various different categories that are covered within the pages of this book, which makes it a good all-round tool to help with various areas of your financial future. Some of the areas that are covered include budgeting and saving, development of good financial habits, living within your means, investment and wealth creation, and even doing your bit for the environment while also saving money.
Simple yet effective advice
If you find that you are living to work rather than working to live, this book is definitely a great choice. Many readers have commented on how the book and advice changed their lives and the way in which it makes it far easier to free themselves of financial worries. The author has plenty of experience when it comes to sustainable living and is also a specialist writer and speaker.
If you want to read a book that offers advice that is simple to understand yet very effective, this could be a perfect choice. You can regain control of both your money and your life with the steps that are outlined in this book, making it an excellent choice to promote financial well-being.
5- Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey – 10 Votes
If you need financial assistance and advice from an expert, this book by Dave Ramsey is a great choice. This is not a book that is filled with fluff and pointless exercises. The advice that can be found here is practical, valuable, and helpful, with proven results. So, you don’t have to worry about pointless quick-fix information and can instead benefit from advice that will have a positive effect on your finances.
Amongst the topics that are covered in this book are getting out of debt more quickly and achieving complete financial fitness so that you can enjoy a brighter future when it comes to your money. You can learn more about the risks that people take with money – sometimes without even realizing it. You will also be able to read about financial myths and misconceptions as well as deceptions. This gives you far more clarity when it comes to money.
A book that could change your life
We all know how big an impact finances can have on our lives. Well, this book is designed to help change your life for the better as a result of financial changes that you can work towards. The information is provided clearly and in a way that is easy to digest. This makes it easier to follow the steps. By doing this, you can help to eliminate financial problems and work towards a brighter financial future.
An authority when it comes to money and business, the author has a huge following of millions of people and has a huge amount of experience and expertise when it comes to finances. With this book you can gain expert advice and information that can make a big difference to your financial health. Many readers have already expressed surprise at just how much the information in the book has changed their lives.
6- Think & Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill – 10 Votes
This inspirational book was first published in the 1930s and has helped huge numbers of people since that time, Written by Napoleon Hill, the book has been updated and revised over the decades but still offers the same practical and valuable advice that the author provided in the original version. You will find plenty to get you thinking in this book, which is designed to help you change your way of thinking about finances in order to gain wealth and improve your financial situation.
Many of us dream of not only financial fitness but also of being able to make ourselves wealthy. However, this is something that required the right mental attitude amongst others things. Some people have the desire and the skills to achieve financial success but do not think in the right way, which is where this book could prove really helpful.
Read about well known successes
When you delve into the pages of this fascinating book, you will be able to learn more about well known successes in the form of millionaires that were part of the author’s generation and time. Some of the stories you can read about include those of figures such as Henry Ford and Andrew Carnegie.
In short, the book is designed to show you not just what you need to do but also how to go about it in order to maximize the chances of financial success. There are many different emotions and processes that need to come together in order to achieve this level of financial success and within the pages of this book you can learn more about what you need to do in order to improve your own chances. Many people who have read the book have already been amazed at what a difference it has made to their wealth and outlook.
7- The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clarkson – 8 Votes
Written by George S. Clason, this book has become known for its inspirational, invaluable, and practical advice. The author focuses on a number of key financial topics in order to help readers to achieve financial success. This includes saving money, cutting costs, financial planning, and accruing personal wealth. Written in language that is simple to understand and digest, this book has helped many people to manage their money better and to make money more easily.
This is a bestselling book that has gained the author a lot of respect for his insightful information and advice. Many people experience financial problems but have no idea what they should do to get out of the situation and improve their finances. This book provides an understanding as well as various solutions to financial issues that affect many people and households. You can gain an insight through the variety of stories contained within the pages and you can also gain inspiration and motivation from these.
Keeping more money and earning more
When you read this book, you will be able to learn about how you can keep more money as well as earn more of it. The author, who was born in the 1870s, was a big success in the world of business and started offering advisory leaflets in the 1920s to teach others about being thrifty and financially successful.
Each of the stories in the book is based around stories set in Babylon during ancient times, and each one is designed to drive home particular points in relation to finance. The stories all focus on themes and values that are relevant today and the tips provided are helpful and practical. By taking note of the information in the book you can achieve financial freedom and change your life for the better when it comes to money.
8 – The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham – 4 Votes
Known as the greatest investment advisor of the 1900s, the author of this book, Benjamin Graham, has proven to be an inspiration to huge numbers of people. Investment can be a very tricky area, particularly to those with little or no experience in the field. However, within the pages of this book, the author provides invaluable lessons and information that can help both new and experienced investors to avoid potentially costly mistakes as well as to develop effective strategies for use over the long term.
This book was originally published at the end of the 1940s. It became something of a stock market handbook after its publication and today, nearly seven decades later, it is still going strong and still providing crucial lessons to those that are involved or interested in investments. Of course, the information has been revised over the years to reflect modern market conditions but the value of the author’s advice and knowledge has been skilfully retained.
Reaching your financial goals
This book can help readers to learn more about avoiding investment mistakes, developing strategies, and achieving financial goals. The fact that it has become so widely respected and has been helping people for close to seventy years is a testament to the value of the information that the author has included within the pages. The book has been updated by finance journalist Jason Zweig, who is able to make comparisons between today’s financial market and the examples originally provided by the author.
Over one million copies of the book have been sold and it has received praise from well known names such as Warren Buffet, who described it as the best book ever written on investing. There are great reviews from readers online too, which many people branding it as an excellent read that can prove really helpful when it comes to finance and investment.
9- Automatic Millionaire by David Bach – 3 Votes
This book, penned by financial expert and author David Bach, is powerful, inspirational, and motivating. The book tells the story of an average couple with an unremarkable joint income who manage to achieve everything they want including a solid education for their kids and property ownership. In addition, they manage to retire at the age of just 55 with savings of more than $1 million. The aim of the book and the story is to demonstrate that even those who are on a budget can become rich if they know what to do.
Many finance books focus on being determined, having willpower, making lots of money, and having a tight budget. However, this book breaks the mould as it turns all of these rules on their heads. In fact, the premise of this book is that you do not need to have money or even have any interest in money. You do not have to exercise strict willpower or be on a huge income. In fact, the plan takes only one hour to set up, so you don’t have to invest huge amounts of time trying to get a suitable plan into place either.
A hugely popular financial tool
Over the years, this book has become an invaluable financial tool for many people who have found the information within practical, viable, and simple. In fact, this has become a bestseller with more than 1.5 million copies sold. You can now benefit from the updated and revised version, so you can be certain that all of the information and advice is totally up to date and relevant to today’s financial markets.
You will find information relating to all sorts of topics when you read this book, which makes it a great read for people looking to learn about different aspects of finance. This includes taxes, investing, technology, and financial resources such as apps and software.
10 – Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker – Votes 3
When it comes to financial success, this is something that most people want. However, it is not something that most people achieve. The author of this book, T. Harv Eker, aims to provide readers with that all-important link that puts wanting and achieving this type of success together thus providing the missing link. Many of us are amazed at how easily some people become rich while others slave away their whole lives and have nothing to show for it. Well, this book is packed with information that will amaze and surprise you when it comes to discovering why this actually happens.
Many people are under the impression that in order to turn financial desire into financial success you have to have certain work habits, a good education, be highly intelligent, have the right skills, get the timing right, have a great job, know wealthy people, or just be downright lucky. However, the author blows all of this out of the water by discussing his own ideas on what makes people successful when it comes to wanting financial success and actually achieving it. This is done through evaluation of your money and success blueprint.
Resetting your blueprint
According to this book, your money and success blueprint is a determining factor in how successful you will be when it comes to finances. If your blueprint is not set up for this sort of success you will not be able to achieve it or if you do the chances are that you will never hold on to it. However, the book also goes into detail about how you can reset this blueprint so that you are destined for financial success.
The book is a fascinating ready and basically covers two areas in one book. The first explains more about the blueprint and how it works while the second looks at the behavior and thinking of wealthy people compared to those who are less wealthy or who are poor.
11- Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallam – 3 Votes
For many people, being able to leave their droll day job and become a millionaire is nothing more than a pipe dream. However, the author of this book, Andrew Hallam, turned his dream into a reality. Once a High School English teacher, Hallam made smart investment that enabled him to not only leave his day job and pay off all of his debts but also to join the ranks of the millionaires. This book tracks the steps that he took in order to achieve success and wealth, enabling you to follow in his footsteps and achieve your own wealth and financial freedom.
This is a book that focuses on your money and your future rather than looking at schemes to get rich quick. You can learn about different areas of investing and how to make smart investments. There is plenty of information that will keep you gripped if you are interested in investments or simply want to learn a simple, effective, and proven way to increase your wealth and change your life. Another benefit of the book is that it provides advice for investors from major countries around the world including the USA, UK and Australia.
Making up for lack of financial education
While authorities are now keen to improve financial literacy in schools, until recently it was not an issue. This meant that people left school with a variety of qualifications but no idea about one of life’s core skills – money management. This book provides you with a means of making up for this lack of financial education by providing key lessons that can provide you with information that you missed out on. As they say, better late than never and by learning financial literacy now you can still turn your financial life around. This means being able to enjoy a much brighter financial future.
12 – The One Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards – 3 Votes
When it comes to financial planning and success, there are many people that really struggle to make sense of things. Even those who have achieved success to some degree find that making sense of their finances is never simple or straightforward. This is something that financial advisor and expert, Carl Richards, hears on a regular basis. His book is designed to provide people with the information and advice that they need to try and formulate their financial plan, stop stressing about financial matters, and take greater control when it comes to money.
According to the author, people can prioritize their financial goals and what they want from life on one page, hence the title of the book. His theory is that your financial plan is all about what is important to you and not about outside factors such as markets or what other people are doing. In short, the idea of this book is to help you gain a better understanding of what you need to do in order to get to where you want to be.
Expect the unexpected
One of the things that this book looks at is how you have to expect the unexpected. You cannot create a financial plan based on what is going to happen because you don’t know what will happen in the future. This is why the book focuses on the importance of making adjustments as and when necessary and focusing on your own life and goals rather than on other people.
A range of different topics are covered within the pages of this book, so you can gain a valuable insight into how the financial expert works as well as getting the information you need to set yourself on the right track for the future. You will find this is a very interesting yet practical read.
13- Broke Millennial Erin Lowry 3 Votes
An extraordinary number of people end up spending most of their lives just about getting by, practically living hand to mouth in some cases. However, this is not a great way to live life, and this is something that the author, Erin Lowry, tries to put across in this book. For people who are in their 20s and 30s, finances can be a real issue. Many are unable to manage their finances and end up literally just scraping by from month to month.
This guide is designed to show younger people how to stop living hand to mouth and start taking control of their finances so that they can enjoy improved financial fitness and a better quality of life. When you read this book, you can benefit from a step by step guide that is packed with valuable tips and information to help with financial management and money. The author, who is a financial expert, covers a range of topics within the pages of the book. This includes investing, budgeting, and debt amongst other things.
Looking at topics outside the box
In addition to dealing with the more common money issues that many people face, the author also looks at financial matters outside the box. For instance, you can learn more about how to understand your relationship with money. You can find out what to do if you have a bill that has to be split but you cannot afford to split it evenly. You can even learn more about how you and your partner can be more honest with one another about money issues such as debt.
You will find plenty to keep you entertained in this book too, with a range of amusing stories coupled with practical and valuable advice. This makes it ideal for those that want something that is both helpful but fun to read.
More books mentioned:
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle
How To Engineer Your Layoff by Financial Samurai
The Number by Alex Berenson and Mark Cuban
You’re So, Money by Farnoosh Torabi and Jim Cramer
Wealthy Barber Returns by David Barr Chilton
Stop Over-Thinking Your Money by Preet Banerjee
How to Get Rich By Barbara Friedberg
Enough by John C. Bogle and President Bill Clinton
Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson
The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley
Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love by Holly Porter Johnson and Greg Johnson
Get a Financial Life by Beth Kobliner,
The Broke and Beautiful Life by Stefanie O’Connell
You Only Live Once by Jason Vitug
– 2 Votes
Guide to Paying For College The Infographic Guide To College
Guide to Paying For College by Leah Ingram and William J. Behre
Your Portfolio Is Broken
America’s Cheapest Family by Steve Economides and Annette Economides
The Empowered Investor by Mark Harrison
Frugal Living for Dummies by Deborah Taylor-Hough
Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel
365 Ways to Live Cheap by Trent Hamm
The 7 Secrets of Money by Simon Brown
The Bank On Yourself Revolution: Fire Your Banker, Bypass Wall Street, and Take Control of Your Own Financial Future by Pamela Yellen
Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt!: Phone Calls to Banks That Saved More Than $43,000 in Interest Charges and Fees by Scott Bilker
The Art of Non-Conformity by Chris Guillebeau
Notes from a Friend by Anthony Robbins
Guide to Investing in Gold & Silver by Michael Maloney
The Billionaire Who Wasn’t by Conor O’Clery
The Quest Of The Simple Life by William J. Dawson
The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn and Paul Michael
The Truth About Money by Ric Edelman
Sound Mind Investing Handbook by Austin Pryor
Against The Gods by Peter L. Bernstein
Money & Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples by Matt Bell
Early Retirement Extreme by Jacob Lund Fisker
Winning the Loser’s Game, 6th edition: Timeless Strategies for Successful Investing
by Charles D. Ellis
Moneyball by Michael Lewis
Cashing in on the American Dream by Paul Terhorst
The Hunger for More by Laurence Shames
The Simple Path to Wealth by J L Collins and Mr. Money Mustache
Christians: Dollars and Doctrine by The Christian Financial Alliance
– 1 Vote
Doug Schantz (Cheap Scholar)
- Global Shocks (An Investment Guide for Turbulent Markets)
- The U.S. News Guide to Paying For College
- The Infographic Guide To College (A Visual Reference For Everything You Need To Know)
Peter Anderson (Bible Money Matters)
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle, The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason, and since my site has the faith component – a book for Christians: Dollars and Doctrine by Rob Kuban
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J. Money (Rockstar Finance)
- The Millionaire Next Door
- The Richest Man in Babylon
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi
Andrew Hallam (Andrew Hallam)
This entirely depends on nationality. If you’re Canadian, select a book about index funds written by a Canadian, such as Ian Turnbull’s book, Your Portfolio Is Broken: Who’s To Blame And How To Fix It or Keith Matthew’s book, The Empowered Investor. Dan Bortolotti’s book is also great. If you’re American, Burton Malkiel’s Random Walk Down Wall Street would nicely fit the bill. If you’re British, select something like Ben Sherwood’s book, The 7 Secrets of Money.
Miranda Marquit (Planting Money Seeds)
- The Oblivious Investor by Mike Piper
- The Millionaire Fastlane by MJ DeMarco
- End Financial Stress Now by Emily Guy Birken
Scott Bilker (Debt Smart)
1: I shamelessly recommend my best-selling book, Talk Your Way Out of Credit Card Debt!: Phone Calls to Banks That Saved More Than $43,000 in Interest Charges and Fees, because it is the fastest, easiest way to start saving money on your credit card debt.
2: The Millionaire Next Door, by Stanley and Danko is a classic that gets to the bottom of being wealthy versus being a big spender. You will be surprised find out who is who.
3: Notes from a Friend, by Anthony Robbins. This short book, 112 pages, is the Cliff Notes version of everything Tony Robbins. Reading this book will get your head straight and ready to take on any challenge. ”
Aaron (Three Thrifty Guys)
- Total Money Makeover
- The Billionaire Who Wasn’t
- The Treasure Principle
Andrew Schrage (Money Crashers)
One of the best personal finance books is The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. It contains tips and advice on exactly what the title elicits – how to revamp your finances to get back on track. Another good book which isn’t as well known is called The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated by Harold Pollack and Helaine Olen. That is a good resource for those just starting out on fixing their finances who might be feeling overwhelmed. And a third book to consider is the Nine Steps To Financial Freedom by Suze Orman. That book possesses a lot of good advice for those who are mired in credit card debt or who are otherwise feeling trapped by their finances.
Matt Bell (Matt About Money)
My recommendation for the best overall personal finance book is The Millionaire Next Door. It makes an important distinction between people who look like they’re doing well financially and people who truly are, and it shows that the money management habits of the truly financially successful are accessible to everyone.
Best investing book, especially for people who are somewhat new to investing, is The Sound Mind Investing Handbook.
And, while I may be somewhat biased on this one, the best money management book for young couples is Money & Marriage: A Complete Guide for Engaged and Newly Married Couples.
Monique Fullowka (One Income Dollar)
- America’s Cheapest Family
- Frugal Living for Dummies
- 365 Ways to Live Cheap
Anthony Kirlew (Fiscally Sound)
- Think & Grow Rich (Napoleon Hill)
- The Millionaire Next Door (Thomas Stanley & William Danko)
- Bank on Yourself (Pamela Yellen)
Eric Rosenberg (Personal Profitability)
My favorite personal finance books are the ones that stick with tried and true strategies and hold up over time. I love the Automatic Millionaire by David Bach and I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi as both help you understand how to get the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing under control. While it’s not technically a personal finance book, The Art of Non-Comformity by Chris Guillebeau is another favorite. It helps you understand how personal finance fits into your life overall, rather than looking at money in isolation from everything else.
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Ivan Widjaya (Aseponde)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- Guide to Investing in Gold & Silver by Matt Maloney
- The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
- How To Engineer Your Layoff: Severance Negotiation Strategies For All
- The Number
- The Quest Of The Simple Life
Michael Kitces (Nerd’s Eye View at Kitces)
- Ric Edelman’s “The Truth About Money”
- Peter Bernstein’s “Against The Gods”
- Ramit Sethi’s “I Will Teach You To Be Rich”
- The Four Hour Workweek for helping me realize what was possible when it comes to entrepreneurship, cash flow, mini-retirements, and early retirement. I’m sure half the businesses on the internet have been started because of that book and a whole lot of people’s lives are much better off.
- The Slight Edge for helping me to improve a bit every single day and reminding me how much daily habits matter. This can improve your personal life, health, and bank account.
- The One Page Financial Plan is something that came around way to late for myself, but I’ll name it here because it’s the most common book I gift to college grad’s in my life. It’s a great, easy to read, primer on how to start your financial life right.
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Ben Reynolds (Sure Dividend)
- Think and Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. While not strictly a ‘personal finance’ book, this book is the original in terms of self-help and building the right mindset to accumulate wealth over time. If you are looking for day-to-day strategies on how to budget, this isn’t the book for you. If, however, you are looking for the mindset to grow rich, this book is a must read.
- Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey. While my first book has virtually no ‘every day’ recommendations, Total Money Makeover is all about how to budget and control your money to get out of debt and build prosperity.
- Early Retirement Extreme by Jacob Lund Fisker. The truth is, I haven’t read this book – but I have read the Early Retirement Extreme website extensively. It is loaded with interesting ways to save money – likely much more than all of your peers. Dave Ramsey gives advice that ‘makes sense’ for the average person. Early Retirement Extreme goes 100x further. It is for those looking to optimize their life for low expenses and a high savings rate.
Jim Wang (Wallet Hacks)
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
- You’re So Money: Live Rich Even When You’re Not by Farnoosh Torabi
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
Kirti Sikri (Be Money Aware)
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki contrasts the mindset of his Rich Dad and Poor Dad One dad said, When it comes to money, play it safe, don’t take risks. The other dad said, Learn to manage risk. I liked the book because it is simple and easy to read.
He also made me question the traditional educational system(which he says is flawed). He says Our education system is designed primarily to create employee. Our current educational system focuses on preparing today’s youth to get good jobs by developing scholastic skills. Their lives will revolve around their wages.
He also threw light on Assets/Liabilities. What defines something to be an asset or a liability are not words. He challenges you to think Your Primary Residence Is NOT An Asset.
The book talks about him earning money on real estate, I don’t know how many of us can do it? Are we experienced to do so? But his thoughts or rather the way he puts it across on Investing is great.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
I have often wondered Why some people get rich(or seem to get rich) easily, while others are destined for a life of financial struggle? Where lies the difference, Is it intelligence, street smartness, education, skill, background, people they know, choice of jobs or plain luck or ______??? The Answer as per author T. Harv Eker of Secrets of the Millionaire Mind is our money blueprint and it is this blueprint, more than anything, that will determine our financial lives. Rich people have a different money blueprint, they think and act differently than poor people. If we start thinking and acting like Rich People we may become rich.
Book is written in simple language, I felt as if author is actually talking to me (excerpt from the book are given below). I insist Don’t take everything(what he says, what I say,what you read, what you see ) at face value but with spoons(not pinch) of salt. Take the information and use it in ways that work for you.
The Richest Man in Babylon by George Samuel Clason
The Richest Man in Babylon dispenses financial advice through a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon. While some of the ideas are archaically written, they remain timeless. These points are basic tenets of how to get ahead financially in any time, not just in Babylonian times or in the 1920s. One of the biggest things this book teaches is that no matter what size your income is, 10% of it is yours to keep. Another is that debt is an enemy to conquer, not a necessary evil. As a person’s wealth rises, so do their expenses.
Mohit Tater (Financial Conversation)
- Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Alexis S. (Fitnancials)
Broke Millennial, How To Graduate Debt Free, and You Only Live Once are books that would be a great read for a teenager entering college or in their early twenties. Broke Millennial is a book that I believe should be read in high schools as it goes over everything and anything personal finance related, but in a way where the reader can easily understand the information and not get overwhelmed. I also love Erin Lowry’s sense of humor, so it makes reading the book even more fun to read.
Kylie Travers (The Thrifty Issue)
- Napoleon Hill – Think and Grow Rich
- Scott Pape – The Barefoot Investor
- David J Schwartz – The Magic of Thinking BIG
Pam Wattenbarger (Simply Southern Mom)
- Your Money or Your Life Vicki Robin
- The Total Money Makeover Dave Ramsey
- Make Your Kid a Money Genius Beth Kobliner
Shane McNally (What’s The Cost?)
- Passive Income by George Pain
- The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley
Mike Collins (Family Finances)
- The Millionaire Next Door
- I Will Teach You to be Rich
- Moneyball
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Michael James (Michael James on Money)
People have such varied needs that it’s hard to pick a few books suitable for everyone. For those who need help pulling out of debt, Gail Vaz-Oxlade has a number of good books. The most widely applicable good personal finance books I could recommend are David Chilton’s The Wealthy Barber Returns and Preet Banerjee’s Stop Over-Thinking Your Money. For those who have enough savings to think about investing, a great place to start is Winning the Loser’s Game by Charles D. Ellis.
- The Millionaire Next Door
- Your Money or Your Life
- Cashing in on the American Dream
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
- I will teach you to be rich by Ramit Sethi
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Kurt Fischer (My Money Counselor)
- Your Money or Your Life, by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
- The Hunger for More, by Lawrence Shames
- Simple Guides to Debt, Credit, and Wealth, by Kurt Fischer
Mrs. Money (Ultimate Money Blog)
- Dave Ramsey Total Money Makeover
- Your Money or your life
- JL Collins- The Simple Path to Wealth
- The Millionaire Next Door (Stanley & Danko)
- I Will Teach You to be Rich (Sethi)
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind (Eker)
Ronald Hendricks (MoneyHome Blog)
Research shows that 88% of the rich people read at least 30 minutes a day. The richest person in the world, Bill Gates, reads 1 book a week. The 2nd richest person in the world, Warren Buffett, reads at least 6 hours a day. If it works for them, it can work for you too. Financial education is not the strongest part of mankind. A lack of a good financial base is often the reason why so many people have financial problems. And that is strange, because there is a lot of good financial information available.
Whether you want to create million dollar company or become highly successful in your field, the best way to get there is to learn from the best. There is no better learning school than the knowledge of a few billionaires.
The following books can put you in the front seat so the next 12 months you can become rich.
1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
Robert Kiyosaki repudiates the myth that you need a lot of money to get rich. He tells the story of 2 fathers – his own father and a friend’s father. He explains how to get rich with a small salary. The father with a high salary is not rich in his story while the father with a small salary succeeds. You can read the book to know what the latter did different.
2. The Money Savvy Student by Adam Carroll
Making money is just like sport: The offense is the way you make money. The defense is the way you keep your costs low. In this book, you will learn how to keep your costs under control and how to handle your money to earn as much as possible. In the end, you just have to score to win.
3. The Power of Broke by Daymond John
Shark Tank investor and founder of FUBU Daymon John started his career with $ 40. He built his business into a brand worth $ 6 billion. But on his journey he had to overcome many obstacles. At one point, as a millionaire, he lost all of his money. Daymond John proved no money at the bank is not an excuse to get rich. Being broke was one big advantage to him. He was becoming more creative and looking for exceptional solutions that learned him the secrets to success.
- Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School by Andrew Hallam
- Financial Fitness Forever: 5 Steps to More Money, Less Risk, More Peace of Mind by Paul Merriman
- Dave Ramsey’s: Total Money Makeover
Ginger (Girls Just Wanna Have Funds)
- Smart Women Finish Rich
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich
- Think And Grow Rich
Big Cajun Man (Canadian Personal Finance Blog)
- The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns by John C. Bogle
- Stop Over-Thinking Your Money!: The Five Simple Rules Of Financial Success by Preet Banerjee
- The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
Evan (My Journey to Millions)
They aren’t traditional PF Books, but rather they are just damn inspiring – Snowball, Intelligent Investor and More Money than God
Joe Udo (Retire By 40)
- Your Money or Your Life
- How to Fail at Almost Everything and Still Win Big
- Common Sense on Mutual Funds
I wish I read these three books when I was in my early 20s. There are a ton of wisdom that would have guided me to financial independence earlier. You don’t have to follow the conventional path if it’s not right for you.
Todd Tresidder (Financial Mentor)
- Your Money or Your Life
- The Millionaire Next Door
- How Much Money Do I Need To Retire? (by Todd Tresidder, so maybe I’m a little biased)
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James Hendrickson (Stapler Confessions)
Robert Kioysaki’s Rich Dad Poor Dad, Jane Bryant Quinn’s Making The Most Of Your Money and Stanley and Danko’s The Millionaire Next Door. You need books for different things. Kiyosaki’s isn’t a good book in terms of the mechanics of how to manage your money, but its inspiring in its simple mindedness. Stanley and Danko’s work shows you the reality of wealth in America and Quinn teaches you how to get there.
Peter Christopher (Finance Care Guide)
- The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
- Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
- The Millionaire Next Door By Thomas J.
Jon Dulin (Money Smart Guides)
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Barbara A. Friedberg (Personal Finance)
- The elements of investing by Malkiel and Ellis
- A random walk down Wall Street by Malkiel
- How to get rich By Friedberg
Mitch Mitchell (Top Finance Blog)
- The Millionaire Maker by Loral Langemeier
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker
- Rich Dad Poor Dad, Robert Kiyosaki
Allan Smith (Day To Day Finance)
- Financial Peace Revisited
- The Money Book for the Young
- Fabulous & Broke
- Smart Money Smart Kids
MMP (Money Management Pro)
- Millionaire Next Door
- Your Money or Your Life
- Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals
Rob Berger (The Dough Roller)
- Your Money or Your Life
- The Intelligent Investor
- Enough
Keith Park (DivHut)
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley
- The Snowball Effect: Using Dividend & Interest Reinvestment To Help You Retire On Time by Timothy J. McIntosh
- Forever Investing: The Investment Strategy of History’s Greatest Investors by Michael T. Nowacki
Denny Jones (Personal Finance Opinions)
- How to Get Rich
- The wealthy Barber
- Personal finance for Dummies
Allan Liwanag (The Practical Saver)
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich
- Why Didn’t They Teach Me This In School?
- The Behavior Gap
Joseph Hogue (Peer Finance 101)
- How to Be a Financial Grownup by Bobbi Rebell
- Step-by-Step Dividend Investing by Joseph Hogue
- CFA; Soldier of Finance by Jeff Rose
Usiere Uko (Financial Freedom Inspiration)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
- Courage to be Rich by Suze Orman
Kalen Bruce (Money Mini Blog)
These are the first books I recommend to anyone:
1. The Total Money makeover by Dave Ramsey – This is the first book anyone should read when they make the decision to become financially free.
2. Rapid Debt Reduction Strategies by John Avanzini – I know of no other book with as many effective debt reduction strategies as this one.
3. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki – Regardless of how you feel about the author, this book provides a proper mindset to model when it comes to money.
Dan Meyers (Break Free Me)
- Poor Charlie’s Almanack
- The Richest Man in Babylon
- Your Money or Your Life
Tyrone Solee (Millionaire Acts)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Cash Flow Quadrant
- Think and Grow Rich
Keith Cruise (Eco Institution)
- Unshakable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook by Tony Robbins
- The Truth About Your Future: The Money Guide You Need Now, Later and Much LAter by Ric Edelman
- Ageproof: Living Longer without Running Out of Money or Breaking a Hip by Jean Chatzky & Michael Roizen
Filiyana McGraves (FinancesWire)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley
Kerrie Munson (Financial Advice Now)
- You’re So Money: Live Rich Even When You’re Not by Farnoosh Torabi
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
Steve Stretton (The Dogs Deal)
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy by Thomas J. Stanley
- Business Adventures by John Brooks
- The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason
Steve (Think Save Retire)
- The Millionaire Nextdoor
- Your Money or Your Life
- Think and Grow Rich
Holly Johnson (Club Thrifty)
- Zero Down Your Debt: Reclaim Your Income and Build a Life You’ll Love
- Broke Millennial
- Dear Debt: A Story About Breaking Up with Debt
- Rich Dad Poor Dad
- Debt-Free Living: How to Get Out of Debt and Stay Out
- EntreLeadership: 20 Years of Practical Business Wisdom from the Trenches
- Trading in the Zone: Master the Market with Confidence, Discipline and a Winning Attitude by Mark Douglas
- The Disciplined Trader: Developing Winning Attitudes Hardcover by Mark Douglas
- Trading Price Action Trends: Technical Analysis of Price Charts Bar by Bar for the Serious Trader by Al Brooks
James Molet (Retirement Savvy)
- The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America’s Wealthy
- Rendezvous With Retirement: A Guide to Getting Fiscally Fit
- The Intelligent Investor
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Sage Cincaid (Penny Stock Dream)
Rich Dad Poor Dad: I loved reading this book when I was in High School because of the way it gave the reader a look at the positive teachings that can come from both sides of the track. While learning from the have’s is commonly viewed as an obvious way to move ahead, many forget that there are still incredible things to learn from those that have not quite attained the monetary wealth that they seek.
Bollinger On Bollinger Bands: If you’re going to get involved in trading, it never hurts to know a thing or two about charts and if you’re going to chart, why not learn from a master? Bollinger Bands are one of the most powerful charting tools used by investors and traders across the world. After developping this genius indicator, which is quite literally named after him, it has been very nice of him to share this beauty with the rest of us. Don’t just utilize the tool on a computer generated chart, when you can learn the full reasoning from the mand behind them.
Penny Stocks For Dummies: Taboo? Yes, yes but if you are going to get involved in trading penny stocks (which are INCREDIBLY high risk) you mine as well get well acquainted with the basics before diving in with your actual money. Read through and understand the ins and outs, so that you can get a solid understanding of the common trappings found within the OTC Market, in order to garner more solid gains.
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Mark Seed (My Own Advisor)
- Millionaire Teacher
- The Wealthy Barber Returns
- The Single Best Investment
Dr. Jason Cabler (Celebrating Financial Freedom)
- Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)
- The Cashflow Quadrant(Robert Kiyosaki)
- The Legacy Journey (Dave Ramsey)
Adam Piplica (Magical Penny)
- The One Page Financial Plan -Carl Richards
- Money – The Missing Manual – JD Roth
- I Will Teach You To Be Rich- Ramit Sethi
April Lewis-Parks (Miss MoneyBee and Consolidate Credit)
- I Will Teach You to be Rich
- Power Up How to Dig Out of Debt
- Get a Financial Life
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner (Making Sense of Cents)
My three favorite personal finance books include Broke Millennial, The Broke and Beautiful Life, and You Only Live Once. There are many other great ones too, such as The Recovering Spender, Zero Down Your Debt, Train Your Way to Financial Fitness, and more! 🙂
Mitch Valent (The Invest Blog)
The Road Beyond by Achim Neumann
Mario (Debt Blag)
Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together
By Erin Lowry
This book, written by a millennial, uses the financial failings of other milllennials to teach readers of any generation to do better. It does explain the different products like retirement accounts and includes how-to sections on reaching financial goals like buying a house, but more importantly, it helps the reader overcome the broken millennial mindset and replace it with one that works.
The Broke and Beautiful Life: Small Town Budget, Big City Dreams
By Stefanie O’Connell
The humor, insight, and superior writing alone are enough to make this book a pleasure to read. Unlike other books in the genre, the premise of this one starts far, far away from money. Rather, the premise begins with making the choices you’re passionate about, and only then does managing money come into the picture. In other words, it shows the reader how one can live a beautiful life — all without going broke.
The Millionaire Next Door
Thomas J. Staley
This book is one I always come back to. It glosses over the importance of inter-generational wealth, but nevertheless challenges the popular image of how millionaires live. Most millionaires are thrifty and mindful of what they spend money on. More often than not, they’re more concerned with remaining financially independent than showing off that financial status.
John Schmoll (Frugal Rules)
- A Random Walk Down Wall Street
- The Total Money Makeover
- The Millionaire Next Door
Diane Adam (Smart Money Simple Life)
- Your Money or Your Life
- Think and Grow Rich
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad
Joris Kempen (Kscripts)
- Personal Finance for Dummies
- The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
- Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties
Tim Artisan (Wealth Artisan)
#1: AARP’s Outsmarting the Scam Artists
This book is a bit odd as a suggestion for this list, but I speak about it in one of my latest articles regarding the PayPal Money Adder Scam. One important aspect in finance is capital preservation. There are many ways for a person to lose capital, including inflation outpacing yield, realizing losses on stock, etc.
Unfortunately, another way is falling for scams. Scams account for an astounding amount of capital loss. Bernie Madoff’s ponzi scheme alone accounted for a loss of nearly $65 billion dollars. This book is interesting because it not only provides examples and how to avoid them, but it also includes interviews with actual con artists who reveal some of the tricks they’ve employed to fool people. They really did a great job.
#2: The Millionaire Next Door
This book was possibly one of the first personal finance books I ever read. It was eye opening in that I’ve been steeped in pop-culture my entire life. You know, people throwing wads of cash in the air, singing in front of Ferraris, eating ice cream sundaes covered in gold leaf and purchasing Gulfstreams on the weekends.
The Millionaire Next Door may be the first exposure I had to understanding real wealth. I was surprised to find out that most wealthy people don’t believe they’re wealthy. Most wealthy people don’t buy expensive things and quite often are more frugal than people with a 100th of their net worth (or, gasp, negative net worth!).
Basically, The Millionaire Next Door gives people the very unsexy truth about wealth accumulation: it is done through hard work, good decisions and often doesn’t look nearly as cool as TV makes it out to seem. This should be on every high school students required reading list. I’m not joking at all.
#3: The Total Money Makeover
Cementing my understanding of the importance of frugality was this book. This one is a bit controversial because Dave Ramsey’s debt cutting advice isn’t the best, financially-speaking. What I mean is, there are better ways to cut your debt, meaning you’ll save more money. What this book brings to the table is a method the average person can easily follow which is what most people need.
A lot of blog posts I’ve seen hating on this book launch into the mathematics of finance (calculating interest rates, figuring out which debts should be paid off first to lower over all interest payments, etc.). That’s great for people like us, but the average person doesn’t want to do that kind of stuff. They want an easy answer, and that’s what this book provides.
I liken it to being really hungry. If someone said to me that they were starving, I wouldn’t tell them to go home and cook a gourmet meal. A gourmet meal would be higher quality, healthier and probably more delicious, but they have an immediate need that needs to be solved quickly. That’s what this book provides, a quick and dirty solution to a complex problem. It literally provides a road map that anyone can understand.
I recommend this book, not because it is the best financial advice out there, but because anyone who does follow it, versus doing what they’ve always done, will be substantially better off because of it. It’s a very simple system. I also wouldn’t suggest following his investment advice in the book. I think people are better served by speaking with a financial advisor who can customize a plan to their specific needs.
I’m glad to be included here and also glad I’ve read 5 of the top 10. I think that’s pretty good; now I’ll have to consider checking out some of the rest of the books. 🙂
All great titles. I follow Paul Merriman’s work on index funds. Thanks for including me in the group,
Great roundup. I just shared – thank you!
Thanks for adding my opinion.
Great round up, thanks for putting this together Kostas! I’ve read 6 of the top 10, so I have some reading to do… I can hardly emphasize how valuable of a read Poor Charlie’s Almanack is – it can really change your whole way of thinking about life.
Thanks for including my picks. I’ll be adding some of these suggestions to my winter reading list! 🙂
I love Dave Ramsay – easy to read and easy to implement his concepts.
Thanks,
Sue
What a great list and I’m definitely adding some to my to read pile. I have read Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Think Rich , Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. Life changing books.
I have shared and recommended the list to my QuickBooks and Quicken clients in “always sunny” Seattle (or $eattle if you want to buy a house) that I set up, review, cleanup, support, help, train one-on-one and onsite, and get the software at a discount.