Reading List: Top 9 Books to Read about Money

Overall Favorite: Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?

Author Cary Siegel first got the idea for "Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By" when they realized (shocker) how schools teach little to nothing about managing finances. This book is geared to help young people learn the things school should’ve taught with 99 essential principles.

99 sounds overwhelming, but luckily they’re split into eight broad lessons so you can memorize each portion. The best part? The book is pretty digestible with less than 200 pages that get straight to the point.

Siegel retired at the age 45 and although he has an MBA from the U of Chicago, the book is written in basic language.

Most Engaging: Rich Dad Poor Dad

In this fictional story of his childhood, Kiyosaki contrasts his own mediocre earning father and the dad of his friend who happened to be one of the richest residents in Hawaii. The comparison shines a light on the “rich” way of managing money (or lack of it). Kiyosaki believes that not all debt is bad, and wealth can be attained even if you don’t have a high income. This updated version of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" is particularly useful because it compares life in 1997, when the book was written, to what it is today.

Get This if You’re in Debt! (get it even if you're not): The Total Money Makeover

The author is most commonly known for his highly successful radio show, “the Dave Ramsey Show”. The book itself gives you a solid foundation for saving enough money so your finances won’t derail at the next life emergency - and so you can actually retire comfortably. Ramsey’s niche includes paying off your debt so you can get there, and he tells you exactly how.

DISCLAIMER: Ramsey heavily condemns ALL debt, while we think some debt can be beneficial - if you're able to pay it back on time and in full. Check out our thoughts HERE.

Want to Build Wealth? Read this: The Automatic Millionaire

We love David Bach’s delivery in "The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich” because he does exactly as promised, providing a practically foolproof one step plan.

At first, the book starts as a fictiocius memoir about a couple who earn a modest income but are able to own two mortgage-free homes with a clear plan for retirement. Bach explains the 1 step process that will get you in this couple’s shoes (guess what? It doesn’t involve budgeting or earning 6 figures a year)

Bach previously published three other bestsellers, "The Automatic Millionaire" spending 31 weeks on the New York Times Bestseller List when it was published in 2004, selling more than 1.5 million copies.

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Best for Budgeting: Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence

The authors of "Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence" introduce the idea that living frugally will actually make you happier!

Robin and Dominguez think that you should be working at a job that you love, no matter the pay and show how you can budget to realistically do this.

They tell us how to earn money without being miserable. At first this book seems like a basic guide to budgeting but the real meaning behind it is about living within your means by changing your habits ​and enjoying life!

Most inspirational: "The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy."

In order to accumulate wealth, you must think like the wealthy: Business professors William D. Danko and Thomas J. Stanley explore the seven common traits among millionaires in "The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy." After extensively researching the wealthy, the authors found that most of them don't live lavishly in Beverly Hills or drive luxury cars. Instead, these people acquired most of their wealth by working, living frugally and saving most of their money. Contrary to the media's flashy depiction of the wealthy, like in Rich Dad Poor Dad, the book emphasizes how to get rich without a high-profile job or degree. We’ve linked the third edition since it was first written in 1998 and a lot has changed since then.

Navigating Adulthood: Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together

As the title suggests, "Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together" is targeted towards 20-30 year olds who never learned about finances. Erin Lowry makes it simple for those of us who are intimidated by things like debt and budgeting with this inspiring guide. Showing us how to go from "flat-broke to financial badass," its a unique kind of book in that it introduces tricky, real-life situations involving money, from managing student loans to not being able to split the bill with friends. Most of the books we have recommended are geared towards older people but, "Broke Millennial" is made for beginner-beginners.

Best Self-Help: You Are a Badass at Making Money

"You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth" is from Jen Sincero, author of the # 1 New York Times bestseller "You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life." Published in 2017, this sequel book introduces a financial angle into the series.

This book is funny. You’ll chuckle. And if you’re like us, you’ll see yourself and your own little habits in its pages. It’s based on Sincero’s personal experiences and how she grew to living very, very well. The book is designed to help you overcome the financial habits that hold you back by introducing simple concepts that will help improve the way you handle your money.

Best about Retiring Early: How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free

"How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get from Your Financial Advisor" is about retiring on what you have managed to save so far.

Surprisingly, it doesn’t promote working longer and harder to achieve that, the “happy, wild and free” part of the title is legit, and Zelinski firmly believes you don't need $1 million-plus in savings to accomplish it. "These are the best years of your life", and Zelinski imparts a few lessons about how to enjoy them on the money you have, sooner rather than later.