Cracking Open Your Wallet: A Reader's Guide To Recommended Finance Books
Two of the most common questions that I’ve been seeing when it comes to personal finance or financial literacy have been: What are some of the top money apps that you recommend along with what are some books that I would recommend? While I already tackled those apps in another post, I wanted to add commentary around the books portion of the question duo. I love to say that learners are earners, but readers are leaders - meaning you can learn more to earn more while reading (or listening to books) to lead yourself to your financial goals being reached.
Do you know that 83% of people who set financial goals feel better about their finances after just one year and just not only knowing your money when it comes to accounts but holding accountability to not only handle it better but learn about what’s going to close your personal wealth gap. My recommendations about books, apps, podcasts, or money tools are ways that you can research and learn more. Americans estimate they lose an average of $1,819 due to a lack of knowledge about personal finances.
Before I get into the list, I want to give you this insight before you start turning the pages of the books I share here or over on Amazon. Whenever you are reading said book, I want you to set your intentions or the “why” you are reading this book. I want your intentions to pair well with the insights being shared with you through the book(s). After you finish reading, I want you to look at the insights you got from that book and how the information aligns with your overall financial goals.
Psychology Of Money (here): Morgan really went IN with this one here. He not only has an awesome podcast that I listen to with every download, but he’s one of the forerunners when to behavioral finance. It’s not only easy to read, but you’re almost able to pinpoint where in your ‘wallet’ or finances that he is speaking to! He has another book that I want to get locked in on as well.
You Are A Badass At Making Money (here): This book is a crowd favorite and a lot of people love not only the storytelling about the author’s journey but the practical tips to help you get better and make more money. Who doesn’t love that!? This book gets you to overcome limiting beliefs and unlock their earning potential by shifting your mindset towards wealth.
I Will Teach You To Be Rich (here): I like Ramit, he keeps it real and talks about how money looks for some folks. The same way I do, but he loves to make folks mad - I want people to just get “it” when it comes to their money. This book was one of my favorite purchases in 2020 and it’s one that I keep coming back to. We both have similar ways in how we speak to the subjectiveness of “rich” and “wealth”, that it should be defined by you vs what you scroll on what folks feel it to be.
Die With Zero (here): This is getting some interesting commentary when it comes to how retirement planning or just money in general. Traditional methods don’t really track with most folks now. It prioritizes experiences over excessive accumulation. The book offers strategies to make your money work for you, encouraging you to spend on what truly enriches your life and "die with zero," meaning you've used your money to its fullest potential.
Personal Finance 101 ( here): Legit what you should’ve learned in school when it comes to personal finance is in this book. Think “.... for dummies” but in a book series. Easy to read and you can just flip to certain topics. Easy read, folks!
Millionaire Next Door (here): This is an old-school book, but it debunks the stereotype of flashy millionaires. The authors reveal the surprising truth: many millionaires live modestly, prioritize saving and investing, and often go unnoticed in your neighborhood. It makes me look and think about quiet luxury or loud money differently.
The Black Girl's Guide to Financial Freedom: Build Wealth, Retire Early, and Live the Life of Your Dreams (here): This book is like a financial love letter to Black Women. The book talks about the financial world and provides strategies for overcoming it, all while guiding us to design a fulfilling life we can enjoy. I don’t want us to have an equal pay day, but the [more] pay to run 365/366 on a leap year yet also be able to handle it. A new personal fave.
Now if you want to find more books that I’m reading or recommending - you can head over to this link to find what I’m flipping through while I build more money to flip through. Let me know in the comment section if you have any other personal finance or money books that you’ve come to love or your review of books I’ve listed. Come back often to see if I’ve updated this list or over on Amazon!
If you need more ways to implement anything you’ve read, you can always reach out to work with me to build not only your financial goals but a plan to make it all a reality. 258 million adults who live in the U.S., lack of financial literacy cost Americans a total of more than $388 billion in 2023 and I’m using this business and platform to make a dent in this!