5 books to read to brush up on your personal finance knowledge
These books won't bore you with indecipherable financial jargon
- 1. 'Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole' by Tiffany Aliche
- 2. 'Your Money or Your Life' by Joseph R. Dominguez and Vicki Robin
- 3. 'I Will Teach You To Be Rich' by Ramit Sethi
- 4. 'The Simple Path to Wealth' by J.L. Collins
- 5. 'The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing' by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer and Michael LeBoeuf
There is a lot to learn in the realm of personal finance — and sometimes trying to figure it all out feels like a crash course in reality. You are forced to figure out a debt repayment strategy only after you've already racked up student loan debt or gotten hit by a surprise medical bill. You only get versed in Mortgage 101 once you put in an offer on a house.
The good news is, there are resources out there that can teach you what you need to know before it happens. Whether you are hoping to build a budget and get your debt under control or dream of amassing enough wealth to successfully retire, there is a personal finance book for you. These five books are some of the most frequently recommended, and won't inundate you with indecipherable financial jargon or put you to sleep.
1. 'Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole' by Tiffany Aliche
If you're struggling with debt, you may find some inspiration and motivation in "Get Good With Money: Ten Simple Steps To Becoming Financially Whole" by Tiffany "The Budgetnista" Aliche. In this book, Aliche "shares her own triumph over debt and financial hardships," plus offers "worksheets to help you assess your financial wellness without shame or judgment," said Business Insider.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
2. 'Your Money or Your Life' by Joseph R. Dominguez and Vicki Robin
This book is "best for" those who "want to retire early" and who are interested in "setting up systems to build wealth," said Business Insider.
Though "Your Money or Your Life" was published in 1992, "the principles unearthed in it hold true," said U.S. News & World Report. "It helps readers determine what money means to them, how much is enough, and how to reach financial independence while conserving earth's resources," said Carol Gosho, a certified financial planner and principal and founder of Gosho Financial Group in California, to U.S. News & World Report.
3. 'I Will Teach You To Be Rich' by Ramit Sethi
Looking for a personal finance bootcamp? In "I Will Teach You to Be Rich," "advisor and New York Times bestselling author Ramit Sethi outlines a six-week program for 20- to 35-year-olds to learn the four pillars of personal finance: banking, saving, budgeting, and investing," said Morningstar. Specifics covered in the book include "strategies for eliminating student loans and debt; finding a balance with saving and spending every month; and preparing to purchase a house or car."
4. 'The Simple Path to Wealth' by J.L. Collins
If you're hoping for personal finance with a friendlier format, "The Simple Path to Wealth" by J.L. Collins may appeal. The principles outlined in this book "were first laid out in a series of letters by the author to his daughter," and the tone is often "light and casual," said Business Insider.
That's not to say there isn't some heft here. "There's no shortage of accessible and actionable advice on investing throughout the book," said Business Insider, and it "doesn't shy away from explanations of more complicated topics."
5. 'The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing' by Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer and Michael LeBoeuf
Once you have the basics of personal finance down, the next step is cutting your teeth with some investing. "The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing" is "a great first investing book," and ideal for "beginner investors," said U.S. News & World Report. "Created by followers of John C. Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Group and advocate for the index mutual fund, this book outlines the Bogleheads' style of investing in a way that's clear and easy to understand."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Becca Stanek has worked as an editor and writer in the personal finance space since 2017. She previously served as a deputy editor and later a managing editor overseeing investing and savings content at LendingTree and as an editor at the financial startup SmartAsset, where she focused on retirement- and financial-adviser-related content. Before that, Becca was a staff writer at The Week, primarily contributing to Speed Reads.
-
Today's political cartoons - September 7, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - football widows, meddling kids, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Smoking ban: the return of the nanny state?
Talking Point Starmer's plan to revive Sunak-era war on tobacco has struck an unsettling chord even with some non-smokers
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: September 7, 2024
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
What to do if your personal information is exposed in a data breach
The Explainer Change your password, check your credit card statements and set up fraud alerts
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
EV or gas car: what's more cost-effective to own in the long run?
The explainer Will a steeper sticker price be worth skipping all those trips to the gas pump?
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
The rise of rental rewards, a new form of concession
The Explainer Landlords are getting in on the rewards craze, offering loyalty programs for paying your rent
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Where will inflation go next?
The Explainer Believe it or not, inflation is easing up
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
A beginner's guide to passive income
The Explainer Smart ideas for making money with low-maintenance investments
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
When will America's rental prices come down?
feature Things may finally be cooling off
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
When is the best time of year to buy a car? For new cars, it's coming up.
The Explainer There are certain times within the month or even on certain days of the week that can help you score a more competitive deal
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published
-
4 tips to keep your emotions out of investing
The explainer It's normal to feel worried about dips in stock prices or excited about an investment opportunity — but do not let it cloud your judgement
By Becca Stanek, The Week US Published