These 10 money books are curated to get you to a place of financial freedom. These are hand picked (and read) by myself and people in my life who are successful. Not only are they successful with their money but most aspects of their life. The reason for this is that these principles not only apply to finances. We all need to stand on a certain foundation that is built on a few principles. These principles are splattered across all these books and are easy to recognize. We may have come from different backgrounds and financial situations, but all of us can achieve the freedom we need with these strategies, gumption, determination and consistency.
At the end of the day, bad decisions in finances (or life) will only hurt you. It is up to your will and determination to get you out of that situation and propel you into a better life. And while all these money books listed here are proven, the only reason they will fail is if you choose not to follow through.
Let’s get into these books and hopefully get you to a path of financial freedom and independence.
1. Quit Like A Millionaire, by Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung
If you are familiar with the FIRE movement, then you have probably heard of the authors of this money book – Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung. If you are not familiar with the FIRE movement itself, it is an acronym for Fire Independence Retire Early. The authors write about their stories about how retiring early with $1 million dollars in the bag was possible for them. And they guide you into how you can make it a possibility for yourself too. The guide provides various ways of looking at money and reaching what you define success without the stress of a typical corporate career of retiring when you are 65!
2. I Will Teach You To Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi
This money book will give you a jump-start into your finances. There are great lessons here for anyone from a beginner to those who are well into their careers and looking for a way out. Sethi details valuable information on how to start budgeting your money, saving and investing it, and everything in-between. He details how to literally open high-interest bank accounts and reducing fees. The book also covers how to handle activities like paying for a wedding and buying a home! A lot of this advice is something we should have been taught in school but never did.
3. Rich Dad Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki
By now you have probably heard of this money book by author Robert Kiyosaki. And if you haven’t heard of it, well now you have. This book has ended up on many of the best finance and money books lists over the years. The reason for this is because the author whose story makes the book, is very open about how he was raised.
While his biological father was the poor dad, his friend’s dad was his rich dad. Kiyosaki details the difference in the mindset of both men and the impact it had on him. The varying mindsets influence us more than we think, and this book breaks that down so we can get past the limiting beliefs and lack of understanding. It allows us to move beyond and start thinking like the rich dad. Kiyosaki talks about everything from the schooling system to how to invest.
4. The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness, by Dave Ramsey
This is another popular money book that has and will continue doing the rounds. Dave Ramsey is a big deal in the finance community and with good reason. This book will teach you how to transform you finances and start living better. Ramsey has a proven plan to getting out of debt and securing your future. He details myths that we have all acquired and helps break that mindset so you can move forward. Not only is this book comprehensive in its lessons, but it works too! Speaking from personal experience.
5. Smart Women Finish Rich, by David Bach
Although written by a man, this book tends to provide the advice from a very proven standpoint for women wanting financial freedom. The author tells us women how to make the money we earned, work for us. Some of the lessons here help women break down the mindset of guilt and doubt about whether something would work for them. It instills a level of confidence to know you can do what you need to. The book coaches you through your struggle to get you to a place of financial independence as long as you are willing to stay the course and cut out the critics (including your own mindset).
6. The Money Book for the Young Fabulous and Broke, by Suze Orman
I’m pretty sure everyone has heard about super financial woman – Suze Orman. While Orman has been around for a while, this book has been specifically writtend for the younger generation. The book addresses the challenges that the older/boomer generation didn’t have. This includes, buying a home, saving for their kids college and having enough leftover to go on vacations. Orman tackles challenges such as college debt, living off your credit cards, and possibly not even being able to secure health insurance. And while it may seem like the older generation has a finger-pointing attitude about the newer generations, Orman does not. Unfortunately for our current society, it is more difficult to make money to cover up expenses, debt and live happy. Orman strips through these challenges to get you on a path to financial freedom and independence.
7. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill
This it’s the ultimate book on life. While the title would suggest it’s a money book focused on you thinking your way to richness, it is not. One of the most influential books of our lives, this book is a guide for living life. There are a few things Hill points out on getting what you want. It is not that you just think and money shows up, no! You need to do the work. And good work starts with a good foundation. And the 3 pillars that are the base for all the lessons in the book are:
- The power of your thoughts – which will influence your life decisions in money and everything else.
- The power of intention – which will be the work that we do without excuse to really get where we need to go. Again, without excuses to help you fail instead.
- The power of our subconscious mind – as with everything in life, knowing what you truly want and being absolutely clear about it will help your subconscious move you in the direction of that desire.
Whatever you do, remember that action is needed after thought. The universe will only conspire to bring you what you want, if you are willing to take the baby steps to get there.
Related: How to Create a Vision Board
8. The Automatic Millionaire, by David Bach
Trying to build wealth and become a millionaire without much of an income? This money book is for you. This book spoke to me when I saw it on Amazon. The story about how an average couple was able to accomplish so much (putting kids through college, owning homes, and retiring with $1 million in the back) was what drew me to the book. The author details what you need to set up and let the rest be on cruise control or automatic. The fun thing about the book is that the author states that you do not need to have willpower or a budget to also become an automatic millionaire. No willpower? What? Sign me up.
9. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?, by Cary Siegel
Geez, if I had a dollar for every time I thought this, I wouldn’t need any books on financial freedom. But, here we are. Thankfully, author Cary Siegel provides 99 monetary lessons in how to achieve financial independence. This book is not based out of any teachings (not even an MBA teaches you this stuff), but on a father who was trying to get his 5 children ready for adulthood byut documenting the financial lessons he learnt in his own experience. Great read for not just anyone moving into adulthood, but every adult too.
10. Unshakeable: Your Financial Freedom Playbook, by Tony Robbins
Tony Robbins, y’all! I mean what more am I going to say but that this is the guy who has helped over 50 million people with strategies to advance every area of their life. And he’s done that successfully. The ultimate of the money books details very doable steps that can help you maximize your wealth. He uncovers the bs that firms and companies don’t want you to know about how they are stripping you of what’s yours. I’m going to leave it at that. Just get the book.
In Conclusion
I hope you find time to invest in reading one or more of these money books. We all need some help to understand our finances, debt, buying homes, paying for colleges, cars, whatever it may be. These books tackle most if not all of these issues. And this list covers what you need to not only get control of your finances, but how to become a millionaire too.
Good luck on your financial freedom journey, and here’s to more money to you!
What other books have you come across that have helped you? Let me know below and also let me know if any of these money books have helped you.
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