The Best Personal Finance Books of All Time (for when you REALLY want to change your life)

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The ultimate list of the best personal finance books of all time, for twenty somethings and beginners to everyone interested in saving money and budgeting.

Managing money can be such a daunting task, can’t it? From paying off debt, to budgeting, to saving for retirement. Where and how do we even start to learn about proper money management?

I used to live in absolute financial chaos and confusion.

No budget. No plan. No idea what I was doing.

Ya know what finally helped me? Good ol’ fashioned books.

Yep, I started reading every personal finance book I could get my hands on. It was the best education I could have ever received.

Now we live debt free, use a budget, and have happily left behind the paycheck-to-paycheck lifestyle.

The same can happen for you.

Here is a list of the best personal finance books of all time. I have separated it into categories, so you can read what’s most appropriate to your stage and season of life.

From millennials and beginners, to those who want to get rich, to people near or at retirement age.

Read on to find the answer to ‘how do I manage my finances?’ in book form.

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The Best Personal Finance Books of All Time:

Best Financial Books for Beginners and Millennials

If you’re new to proper money management, here are the best financial books for you.

The Money Book for the Young Fabulous and Broke by Suze Orman

Without any bit of a condescending tone, Suze offers the real, exact steps to take to go from broke to financially secure.

 

 

 

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Using a 6-week program, Sethi takes readers through the four pillars of money management – saving, budgeting, banking, and investing.

 

 

 

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

I credit this book as the single best book I used to learn financial basics. If you only pick one book, let this be it. Dave’s Total Money Makeover is a straightforward game plan for completely making over how you handle money.

There is also a companion workbook you can use along with it for maximum benefits.

 

Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By by Cary Siegel

This book is best suited for absolute newbies. A couple of the tactics are a bit questionable, but overall it would be a good gift for a high school graduate or college students.

 

 

 

Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties by Beth Kobliner

In a down-to-earth style, Kobliner teachers readers how to get out of debt, save money, and invest for the future.

 

 

 

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping by and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry

Lowry offers refreshingly simple advice that goes beyond the basics to cover real-life issues that millennials face.  A great read for twenty somethings and young adults.

 

 

 

Smart is the New Rich: Money Guide for Millennials by Christine Romans

One of the greatest assets millennials have is time. With time on their side, Romans teaches that they have the opportunity to shape whatever future they want.

 

 

9 Steps to Financial Freedom: Practical and Spiritual Steps So You Can Stop Worrying by Suze Orman

This book could also fall into the money mindset category, because it approaches money from an emotional point of view. Fear, shame, and anger are often huge obstacles when it comes to wealth.

 

 


Best Personal Finance Books for Women

Historically, women have been less knowledgeable about financial matters. Here are some books to help you stay in the know on all things money.

Women and Money by Suze Orman

Using her new Financial Empowerment Plan, Suze equips women with financial knowledge and emotional awareness so they can treat money in their best interest.

 

 

Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach

In one of the most popular financial books for women, Bach offers a proven roadmap to creating the life you want and deserve.

 

 

 

Rich Bitch: A Simple 12-Step Plan for Getting Your Financial Life Together…Finally by Nicole Lapin

In her friendly tone, Lapin puts a fresh, modern spin on traditional personal finance advice. You’ll walk away feeling inspired, with a new plan for managing your money.

 

 

Money Can Buy You Happiness: Secrets Women Need to Know to Get Paid What They Are Worth by Patty Ann Tublin

This motivating book examines how women’s attitudes about money negatively affect how much they earn, and offers strategies for getting paid what you’re worth.

 

 

Best Personal Finance Books for Saving Money and Budgeting

These books on general money management will teach you the basics of saving money and making the most of your budget.

How to Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any by Erik Wrecks

Written specifically for people struggling to make ends meet, Wrecks teaches how to make the most of your income, no matter its size. As opposed to just teaching wealth building, this book offers practical solutions to surviving day to day when you’re broke.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 

Dave Ramsey’s Complete Guide to Money

This is definitely a complete A to Z guide on money management, covering everything from insurance and mortgages to budgeting, saving, and investing.

 

 

 

Money Honey: A Simple 7-Step for Getting Your Financial $hit Together by Rachel Richards

This is an easy to understand step-by-step process for getting your financial life in order. Rachel’s fun yet no-nonsense approach will not steer you wrong.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 

 

The No-Spend Challenge Guide: How to Stop Spending Money Impulsively, Pay Off Debt Fast, and Make Your Finances Fit Your Dreams by Jen Smith

In addition to discovering smart ways to save lots of money, you’ll understand the psychology behind your impulsive spending.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 


 

 

Best Get Rich Books of All Time

If you want to build wealth or, better yet, become a millionaire, these wealth management books are for you!

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko

Contrary to popular belief, most millionaires aren’t easily recognizable. In fact, you might have one living next door. After studying millionaires extensively, the authors identified 7 common traits. They might really surprise you!

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 

The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach

This book proves that you can become rich on any budget. It shares the story of a couple who, despite never earning over $55,000 combined, managed to own 2 homes debt free, put both kids through college, and retire at age 55. All with over $1 million in savings!

 

 

The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free, Life by JL Collins

Collins offers a straightforward, achievable process to avoid debt, invest, and live within your means. And I love his idea of the importance of having F-you money.

 

 

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Drawing on the stories of Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and other millionaires, Hill shows you what to do to become successful. Warning: this book might change your life.

 

 

Secrets of the Millionaire Mind: Mastering the Inner Game of Wealth by T. Harv Eker

Eker states that by identifying your money and success blueprint, you can predict your financial life. The good news is that our blueprint can be changed. He describes how rich people think and act, so we can do it too. There’s a lot more to this book than that, making it a must read!

 

 


Best Personal Finance Books for Improving Your Money Mindset

A list of the best finance books of all time wouldn’t be complete with books about mindset and transforming your relationship with money.

Financially Fearless: The Learnvest Program for Taking Control of Your Money by Alexa von Tobel

Alexa helps you get your finances in tip-top shape, all without giving up your favorite things! I love her 50/20/30 plan. It’s a very reasonable way to budget, which you can tailor to best fit your hopes and dreams.

 

 

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor And Middle Class Do Not by Richard Kiyosaki

This unusual book will turn everything you think about money on its head. It’s touted as the #1 personal finance book of all time.

It was definitely interesting, though I had mixed feelings about it. You can read my full review in this post.

 

 

Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship With Money and Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin

This 9-step program offers you a way to declutter your life and save money with mindfulness and intention. According to Oprah, this book “can really change your life.”

 

 

Love Your Life Not Theirs: 7 Money Habits for Living the Life You Want by Rachel Cruze

Cruze really shines a light on the worst money habit affecting most people today – comparing themselves to others. She reminds us to stop trying to keep up with the Joneses, becauses the Joneses are broke.

 

 

The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things With Money by Carl Richards

The behavior gap is the difference between what we should do and what we actually do. This book, complete with both words and drawings, will help you rethink your behavior and have a financial fresh start.

 

 

The Success Principles: How to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield

Not strictly about money, but definitely a must read if you want to unlock your potential. Canfield’s principles give you practical and inspiring ways to achieve everything and anything you can dream of. You can read my full review here.

 

 

The Money Class: How to Stand in Your Truth and Create the Future You Deserve by Suze Orman

Suze covers everything you need to know about taking care of your finances, family, home, career, and retirement. A great read for any stage of life.

 

 

Personal Finance Books About Debt

There are surprisingly few books geared strictly toward paying off debt. Here are a few good ones.

Debt Free Forever: Take Control of Your Money and Your Life by Gail Vaz-Oxlade

I’ve loved Gail since I used to watch her show Til Debt Do Us Part (now available on Amazon Prime). Her super helpful, no-nonsense approach is so refreshing. In this book, she gives you a step-by-step strategy for becoming debt free and stop living paycheck to paycheck.

 

 

Dear Debt: A Story About Breaking Up With Debt by Melanie Lockert

Part humorous and encouraging story about her own debt-free journey, part practical guide, Lockert walks you through the emotions that go along with money management. A great mix of inspiring and entertaining.

 

 

How to Be Debt Free: A Simple Plan for Paying Off Debt by Avery Breyer

A step-by-step guide for paying off car loans, student loans, credit card debt, and even your mortgage. It also unravels the B.S. money myths we’ve all been fed.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 

Best Books About Saving For Retirement

Even if retirement feels a long way off, time passes anyway, so you’d better start saving now. The longer you have before retirement, the more you’ll benefit from the beauty of compound interest.

How to Retire with Enough Money: And How to Know How Much Enough Is by Teresa Ghilarducci

This quick read will help you figure out how much money you’ll need to save for retirement, and how the heck you can actually make that happen.

 

 

 

Retire Inspired: It’s Not an Age; It’s a Financial Number by Chris Hogan

How do you want your retirement to look? Traveling and spending time with your grandkids, or having to get another (low-paying) job because you’re broke?

This book covers what you should be doing in every decade of your life so you can have a retirement you’ll actually enjoy. Basically a must read.

 

The 5 Years Before You Retire: Retirement Planning When You Need it Most by Emily Guy Birken

Many people in their 60s realize that they haven’t saved enough for retirement. This book walks you through exactly how to maximize your savings those last few years before you stop working.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 

Start Late, Finish Rich: A No-Fail Plan for Achieving Financial Freedom at Any Age by David Bach

While not strictly about retirement, this books helps you achieve financial freedom and wealth no matter how old you are. If you feel like it’s too late to start, or that you’ll never catch up, this book is for you.

There’s also a companion workbook you can use to create your plan.

 

The Best Personal Finance Books for Entrepreneurs

If you own a business, or have always dreamed of being an entrepreneur, check out these awesome books. It’s easier to manage your money if you have more of it, and these books can help you get there.

The Other 8 Hours: Maximize Your Free Time to Create Wealth and Purpose by Robert Pagliarini

Assuming you sleep for 8 hours and work for 8 hours, there are still 8 hours in your day to use with purpose.

This is a blueprint for using those hours in a very productive way, to start a business, make extra money, or develop a hobby, in order to have a richer, more fulfilled life.

 

The $100 Startup: Reinvent the Way You Make a Living, Do What You Love, and Create a New Future by Chris Guillebeau

If you’re looking for a way to opt out of traditional employment, this book offers a guide to starting a business for about $100. It’s filled with real ways to come up with a business idea, and make it profitable.

Related book by Guillebeau: Side Hustle: From Idea to Income in 27 Days

 

Crush It: Why NOW Is the Time to Cash In On Your Passion by Gary Vaynerchuk

If you have a hobby or passion, this book shows you how to turn your interests into a business. It’s practical advice and inspiring stories from a guy who has achieved a LOT.

 

 

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

I really enjoyed this book. As a follow up to her popular book You Are A Badass, this one gives you a new way to relate to money.

From uncovering the mental blocks that hold you back from making real money, to shaping your life into what you dream it could be. You can read my full review here.

 

Born For This: How to Find the Work You Were Meant to Do by Chris Guillebeau

There’s a method to finding your perfect job, and in Born For This, you’ll discover how to turn your passion into a paycheck.

 

 

 

She Means Business: Turn Your Ideas into Reality and Become a Wildly Successful Entrepreneur by Carrie Green

Besides being a blueprint for starting, building, and growing a business, Carrie also talks about important topics like mindset and self care. It’s almost like talking to a (really knowledgeable) friend.

 

 

Will it Fly: How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money by Pat Flynn

If you’re an entrepreneur and don’t know who Pat Flynn is, it’s time to start! He is such an authentic guy, and an excellent teacher.

If you’ve ever had a business idea in your head but wondered if it would work, this book is for you.

Available to read for free through Kindle Unlimited.

 


Go forth and gain knowledge

Hopefully this comprehensive list of the best personal finance books gives you some inspiration to change your financial life.

The power is within you to achieve whatever you dream of, whether it be becoming debt-free, building wealth, or working for yourself.

Educating yourself is a great first step in making those changes. These books can’t do the work for you, but they can certainly help you create the game plan that will get you to where you want to be. Let your financial goals come true!

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What are your favorite personal finance books? Let us know in the comments below!

The ultimate list of the best personal finance books of all time, for twenty somethings and beginners to everyone interested in saving money and budgeting.

The ultimate list of the best personal finance books of all time, for twenty somethings and beginners to everyone interested in saving money and budgeting.

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