The 12 Best Books on Personal Finance

Honestly, is there really anything better in life than books and coffee? I mean, it's written on my heavily used travel mug, so it must be true.

I have two guilty pleasures that I will confess to you. One is Bath and Body Works candles, and the other is BOOKS! The first one I would call more of a compulsive disorder since I have a closet full of candles that I rarely light. Yet, whenever B&B Works has a sale, I just can't resist. But the second one is actually a beneficial guilty pleasure and is what started my obsession with finance.

Every morning, I sit in the same spot, drinking out of the same coffee cup, usually with the same cat vying for my attention while holding my latest book. This morning routine is truly my favorite part of the day. I mean, filling my brain with new information and caffeine all while getting kitty snuggles—what could be better?

From growing up as a kid who hated reading to an adult who generally reads a book a week, I have discovered, as with all books, that some are better than others. So, today, for your reading pleasure, I have compiled a list of my 12 favorite personal finance books that I highly recommend to anyone and everyone looking to improve their money health and grow their wealth (with the exception of this blog, which should be at the top of everyone's reading list, although I may be a bit biased)

The Millionaire Next Door

By Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko

This is the first personal finance book I ever read, and it started my journey toward financial freedom. This book made me look at the world through a different lens and proved that most wealthy people are not who you think they are and that things are not always as they appear.

The Wealthy Barber

By David Chilton

I found this book at a thrift store, and from looking at the cover, I thought, “Wow, this looks so cheesy. I’m going to get it just for a good laugh.” $ 2.00 and a couple hours later I discovered how wrong I was. A great story of how slow and steady wins the race, mixed with a healthy dose of humor, made this book a must read.

I Will Teach You to be Rich

By Ramit Sethi

Ramit Sethi has become one of my favorite people. It's not like we’re besties or anything (however, if you're reading this Ramit... want to be besties?), but I love his personality, which really shines in his book, podcast, and new Netflix show. He’s one of those famous people you’ve never met but feel like you could become friends with. Am I the only one who does that? Anyway, in this book, Ramit covers everything money related. From talking your way out of late fees to saving while still spending on things that bring you happiness, this book is an all inclusive guide to growing your wealth.

The Psychology of Money

By Morgan Housel

This is quite possibly my favorite finance book of all time. While that is quite the kudos considering there are thousands of books on the topic of money, this one hits on a deeper level. This book goes beyond the basics: make more money, save for retirement, and spend less than you earn. It dives into the psychological roots of how we view money and where those views come from. How behaviors and personal experiences shape our view of money and therefore influence our decisions regarding finances. I closed this book after reading the last page and literally said out loud, “Woah, this book is freaking amazing!”

The Richest Man in Babylon

George S. Clason

Short, sweet and to the point. This book teaches life lessons through parables that were originally written in the 1920s, but set in ancient Babylon and given out as pamphlets to banking customers to provide guidance and inspiration for financial wellness. While this may sound boring, trust me, it is very enjoyable.

You Are a Badass at Making Money

By Jen Sincero

If a lot of humor and a touch of profanity are more your style, this is the book for you. This book encourages you to dream big and then manifest those dreams through your actions. The author tells her story of going from being straight broke to traveling the world with plenty of cash to spare. This is a good, lighthearted read that leaves you feeling motivated and inspired.

The Total Money Makeover

By Dave Ramsey

You know I couldn’t make a list of the best personal finance books without including one from the biggest personal finance guru, Dave Ramsey. While Dave tends to face a good bit of scrutiny for his methods, this book is straightforward and full of simple concepts that, over time, can add up to huge financial gains. I also like how this book includes real success stories, for that little extra motivational boost.

Rich Habits

By Thomas C. Corley

This author spent years studying the habits of the wealthy and how each habit can be applied to daily life. If it’s true that birds of a feather flock together, I definitely want to be a part of a wealthy flock, and what better way than to learn from those who have already achieved what I myself am working towards? If adjusting my mindset, devoting more time to my physical health, and working on forming life-long relationships will help me achieve my goals, I’m 100% all in!

Rich Dad Poor Dad

By Robert T. Kiyosaki

If you have kids, this is a must read. In this book, Robert Kiyosaki recounts conversations he had between his real father, who was an educator, and his other father (the dad of his best friend), who dropped out of school at 13, but through building his own company and savvy investments, he was able to become very wealthy. This book focuses on how and what the wealthy and affluent teach their children from a young age in order to better their financial future. While we don’t have kids, ask any of my students, and they will tell you that it’s sometimes hard to tell if I’m a music teacher or a finance teacher 😀

Think and Grow Rich

By Napoleon Hill

An oldie but a goody! This author definitely did his due diligence when writing this book. Spending over 20 years studying people who had amassed large sums of money and how they did it. With this information, he compiled a list of “13 steps to riches,” all of which can be done by anybody and everybody. From using positive self talk, to educating yourself, to harnessing the power of your sexual energy (I swear I didn’t make that up) this book, while a bit dated, still contains an extensive amount of great financial information.

The Four Hour Workweek

By Timothy Ferris

I will admit, the size of this book is rather intimidating. Sometimes it was hard to tell if I was holding a finance book or a dictionary (for you young folks, that’s what we used to look up words before the internet). Aside from the rave reviews, the cover of this book is what lured me in. Who wouldn’t want to be lying in a hammock between two palm trees? In this book, Tim tosses out the old work until you’re 65 and retire half dead and zapped of life way of thinking. Instead, he teaches ways to make all the money your heart desires while working from anywhere in the world. While I loved this book in theory, some of the ideas required more risk than I was willing to take. But hey, a girl can dream.

The Simple Path to Wealth

By J. L. Collins

There were so many things I loved about this book, but it was in this book that I first learned about the term “F-You Money,” and I became intrigued. F-you money is in no way enough money to retire with, but it is enough money that you have saved that if the need arises, you can say f-you. This financial cushion allows you to make choices rather than be a victim of your circumstances. Need to leave a toxic work environment? F-you. Stuck in an unhealthy relationship? F-you. While some may find the term crude, the principle is genius. Besides the brilliant idea of f-you money, this book focuses on investment strategies as a means for building wealth.

So there you have it, my friends. My 12 recommendations for the best personal finance books. Read one or read them all. Either way, you will enhance your personal finance knowledge and maybe even add a couple more wrinkles to your already big brain.