Tighten loose ends in your money savings with these must-read personal finance books
KARTHIK V
We all have our own way of managing personal finances and while a few might be doing great, others can fall short or not be working out for you. On World Earth Day, we think it’s essential you get all the help you can get in managing your personal finances.
It all comes down to knowledge and what better way than to pick up a few books on personal finance and learn from the experts. Here are our picks on personal finance books that can guide you in securing your future.
1. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?
Author: Cary Siegel
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Personal Finance
Ask anyone who has lived to the fullest what they regret in life? The answer is instant and obvious: things could have been handled better. But mistakes are the first step towards achieving success, especially if it means managing money. Financial understanding must start very early in one’s life, in fact during your schooling.
Cary Siegel, a retired business executive, splits up the book ‘Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?’ into 99 principles and eight money lessons that you must have learned in your high school or college but missed.
This book, in spite of its purpose intended for the author’s kids about personal finance, is more about money lessons and advice from Siegel. If anyone wants to start off their personal finance journey on the right track then this one’s for you! And, of course, for all those in high schools and colleges!
2. Rich Dad Poor Dad
Author: Robert T Kiyosaki
Available on: Amazon, Walmart, Booksamillion.com
Best for: Financial Parenting
If you are unaware of Robert Kiyosaki’s ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ then it is a gem that has been hanging around for more than two decades. It is one of the most popular and best-selling personal finance books of all time.
It outlines the learning experience of Kiyosaki with his father and father’s friend. The book delves into assets and liabilities, including money, the economy and the right way of investing.
Grab a copy and read to know why this has been around for such a long-time and no doubt it will strike a chord with you!
3. The Total Money Makeover
Author: Dave Ramsey
Available on: Amazon, Walmart
Best for: Debt Management
Debt management indicates the health of your personal finances and if you can take care of that then the future is secured.
Dave Ramsey’s ‘The Total Money Makeover’ does exactly that as it explains how to get rid of debt and better your financial status by overcoming mundane pitfalls like using credit.
The best part about the author is the noteworthy advice on starting an emergency fund, saving for college and retirement, and how to succeed with debt payoff. Read this for your own benefit!
4. Clever Girl Finance
Author: Bola Sokunbi
Available on: Amazon, Bookshop.org
Best for: Budgeting
Women have not just been the weaker sex but their earnings too in comparison to men who have a larger share.
In a nutshell, women still have to slog when it comes to their money matters.
Bola Sokunbi’s ‘Clever Girl Finance’ has the knack of empowering and educating the new generation of women on how to keep a tab on expenses, creating and sticking to a budget, and managing credit, all while taking responsibility for your own financial well-being.
The book is a fine read with definitive strategies for women as Sokunbi is a Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI) and the founder and CEO of the website Clever Girl Finance. Dedicated to all you womenfolk out there!
5. Spend Well, Live Rich
Author: Michelle Singletary
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Budgeters and Personal finance beginners
Real-life experiences are true at heart and they somehow have a greater impact on people’s minds when shared.
Michelle Singletary’s book is one such great example where she narrates her life and her upbringing with five other children by her grandmother on a low salary.
Singletary highlights the principles of her grandmother that helped her all along with just what she had.
This book is an inspiration for those who want to make the most out of their money. Be inspired!
6. Retire Before Mom And Dad
Author: Rob Berger
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Early Retirement and Building Wealth
As we age, the possibilities of earning money nosedives and savings for post-retirement life becomes necessary.
For anyone seriously considering early retirement plans, this book is a perfect window into the principles of getting started towards this goal. All the essential know-hows on how to save for a secure future along with bite-sized tips on saving everyday are covered in this book.
It also gives insights on making financial independence and retirement attainable, even if retiring early isn’t your cup of tea.
Nothing is too late, everything rests in your decision.
7. Broke Millennial
Author: Erin Lowry
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Millennials and Young Professionals
Millennials have been the product of both worlds, pre-technological and post-technological eras.
They have witnessed events that have changed the course of mankind. And, the financial aspect is something we want to focus on.
This book by Erin Lowry is a hit among millennials as it relates to them. It touches the various challenges of today’s young adults, from living with your parents to dealing with student loan debt, to dealing with the overlap of friendships and finances.
It fits well for young readers over older readers – it’s a starting point for today’s young people who want a complete overview from checking your credit score to buying your dream home.
A perfect read for Gen Z’ers!
8. The Money Manual
Author: Tonya B Rapley
Available on: Barnes & Noble
Best for: Basics of Budgeting and Saving
When you are strong in the basics, you lay the foundation for a strong future.
‘The Money Manual’ by Tonya is a guide to the basics of budgeting, saving and building credit.
The money lessons are applicable no matter what your salary or earning is. The actionable advice helps you understand and gauge where you are and where you want to head.
A manual that you should have at all times!
9. Thinking, Fast and Slow
Author: Daniel Kahneman
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Financial Decision-making and Psychology
Everything boils down to your mind that drives emotions and practicality. This book has been widely recommended by many great and renowned people as it is an intense book that engages the reader to learn about the human mind.
It’s a slow read and grows on you as you absorb the contents, analyze through your process of thinking and reflect on the same.
And it’s only when you take that effort that you will truly enjoy the most out of this book. Train your mind to make the right decisions!
10. Your Money Or Your Life
Author: Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Debt, Savings and Financial Stability
Economic certainty has been unpredictable in recent times and people are worried about how well they can safeguard their money and spend it.
For more than 25 years, this bestselling book ‘ Your Money Or Your Life’ by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominquez has been captivating readers teaching them how to pay off debt and make savings, prioritizing your decisions, solving the difference between values and lifestyle, and a lot more.
Pegged as a must-try book on learning all about tackling debt, educating yourself on finance and developing financial stability, this is a perfect read during tough times!
11. The Money Book For The Young, Fabulous & Broke
Author: Suze Orman
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Debts and loans
Education forms a major part of student life and it comes with enough financial baggage.
Being young takes a while to understand what is right and wrong in financial matters.
This book is a dive into tackling financial problems including student loans, debt and insurance.
Suze Orman’s ‘The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke’ hits the bullseye in helping out people to deal with issues facing them at that age and plan their lives accordingly. Realize the power of being young!
12. The Money Saving Mom’s Budget
Author: Crystal Paine
Available on: Amazon
Best for: Setting Budget Goals
This book by Crystal Paine has been of great help for busy women everywhere to take full control of their finances, with the most effective strategies designed for families of all sizes and earnings.
Some of the major highlights of the book ‘The Money Saving Mom’s Budget’ include creating a realistic budget, slashing grocery bills, organizing both your time and home.
Although pegged from a single target audience, there is something for everyone in this book best for setting budget goals.
A book for every Super-Mom!
Bottom Line
While these books have proved to be handy for years, the actual learning comes from personal mistakes and experiences. Taking a cue from these books to design your financial stability is a great start for a secure financial future. So, relax, enjoy and happy reading!
