![\"man](\"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/rsz_gettyimages-136495694_1.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Reading books on investing money<\/a> is a great way to learn more about what you should do at each point in your financial journey. In some respects, it doesn’t really matter where you are in your journey because, no matter what you need help with, there’s a book that covers it.<\/p>\n Deciding which book to read when, though, can be a bit of a challenge. So we created this huge collection of personal finance books to help with that. Here’s how it works:<\/p>\n Some books are linked to Amazon.com if you want to read more about the book or purchase it.<\/p>\n But don’t ignore other books on that topic! There are many that are still worth the read. They would make a great gift even if it’s not what you need.<\/p>\n This first set of books is geared toward beginners. Even if you’ve picked up a lot of financial know-how through the years, revisiting some classics in this category may sharpen your frugal skills if you feel too much lifestyle inflation<\/a> creeping in. And if you find yourself back in debt, crack open one of these books again.<\/p>\n These books offer a wide view, discussing many aspects of money. They offer advice about saving, investing, and getting out of debt. They don’t go into much detail about any one subject, but they provide motivation to get started — and that’s what’s most important.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> Ramsey’s seven baby steps to financial freedom form the core of this book. By following these in order — and not moving on to the next until the current step is complete — readers gradually progress from debt to wealth.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> Ramsey’s advice strikes cynics as simplistic. But his steps work because they are simple and because they provide tangible results. Your $1,000 emergency fund isn’t just cheap insurance against real life; it’s a visible reminder that you have succeeded, that you can save, that you can be smart with money. The debt snowball is built around quick wins which give you the confidence to continue.<\/p>\n Criticism: <\/strong>Ramsey takes a lot of criticism for his support of the debt snowball, which he describes in detail here. However, Ramsey’s method is not easy. It requires sacrifice, hard work, and focus. In fact, printed on the bottom of every page of “The Total Money Makeover”<\/em> is the book’s motto:<\/p>\n If you’re struggling with debt, there is no better starting place than this book.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> J.D. Roth wrote “Your Money: The Missing Manual”<\/em> precisely to be the sort of book he needed when he was struggling with money<\/a>.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> I think it’s a great resource, getting to the heart of a broad range of topics. As J.D. put it, his book took the best tips from the best books and presented this info in plain English so that anyone can get out of debt and start building wealth.<\/p>\n In his review, Kevin Kelly (the founder of Wired magazine) wrote, “This is the best user-guide to personal finance I’ve found, and I’ve probably read them all.”<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> None — because I’m partial! \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> Each chapter ends with a checklist of things you should have accomplished as well as a bulleted summary. You won’t find any new financial information here, but you will find new metaphors. Rose also shares personal stories from his experience in the armed forces.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> The book is action-oriented. Rose wants you to be a doer, not a talker.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> The soldier metaphor gets a little old.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> Clason offers personal finance wisdom in the form of parables. These nuggets of wisdom were originally distributed as pamphlets at banks and insurance companies during the 1920s. The most popular were collected into book form. This is the grand-daddy of personal finance (Benjamin Franklin is the great-granddaddy), and many of modern admonitions — “Pay yourself first,”<\/a> “Invest for the future,” “Learn the power of compound interest” — can be found here.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> Common sense advice that everyone can use.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> The format may be a deal-breaker for some.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> Along with frugality, savings, and investing, there are chapters on social capital<\/a>, networking, and relationships. Hamm says all of frugality can be boiled down to five simple rules:<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> This book isn’t really about personal finance. There’s personal finance in it, sure; but like Trent Hamm’s<\/a> blog, The Simple Dollar, it is about personal and professional transformation. This is a book about change.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> It’s repetitive. Hamm’s writing style is weak and wordy. The message? Good. The delivery? Not so much.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> This is a comprehensive overview of how money should fit into your life, divided into 10 chapters. In this book at least, Suze’s advice is based on the assumption that if you’re truly broke, the ideal option is probably not available to you and you shouldn’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.<\/p>\n Applause\/Criticism<\/strong> (depending on your perspective): Many of her recommendations fly in the face of traditional personal finance advice.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> Ramit stresses that “I Will Teach You to Be Rich”<\/em> is highly tactical, and he’s right. He doesn’t just encourage readers to find the best savings accounts; he walks them through the process. He provides scripts for requesting rate reductions from credit cards and banks. He demonstrates his method of automating his financial life. He describes how to come out ahead in salary negotiations.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> “I Will Teach You to Be Rich”<\/em> is packed with solid advice, cites its sources, and provides scores of tactical tips for managing money. Smart, bold, and practical. “I Will Teach You to Be Rich”<\/em> is packed with tips that actually work. This is a great guide to money management for 20-somethings — and everybody else.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> Ramit has a strong authoritative voice. He’s bold, sarcastic, and even a little sassy. Not everyone likes this. If you’re turned off by his blog, you’ll be turned off by his tone in this book. And if you’re married with kids, struggling to make ends meet, you’re not the intended audience.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> The authors play off the concept that time is money in a very literal sense. They encourage readers to sort out priorities, to cut expenses, and then to seek passive income in pursuit of financial independence.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> This is a classic, an excellent book. And also, even though this book was written years ago and has influenced many prominent personal finance bloggers, its perspective still feels fresh and unique.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> It can become a little New Age-y in spots.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> The book includes assessing your financial fitness, setting goals, saving more, spending less, as well as insurance and preventing identity theft. This book can help you figure out why you have the relationship with money that you do, identify aspects of your financial life that need adjustment, and help you develop good habits going forward. Additionally, the assumption is that making positive financial changes will be easier if you can connect it to goals that are important to you.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> The format makes it easy to flip back to sections when you need them.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> Keep in mind that this book is about general personal finance and not specifically geared to investing.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> This book’s balanced money formula<\/a> is probably the single most important part of many people’s current financial plan. This book offers a different perspective than many personal finance books.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> For those who complain that most financial advice — including that at Get Rich Slowly — is geared too much toward the middle-class and isn’t appropriate for those who earn less and are struggling, “All Your Worth”<\/em> may offer some answers.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> The book takes a dim view of frugality and thrift, and it contains some wild assumptions (like 12 percent stock market returns). But with time, I have come to appreciate the strength of “All Your Worth,”<\/em> not just for those struggling to shake off debt, but also for those of us who are beginning to build wealth. There’s good stuff here, though you may need to filter some of the authors’ rhetoric.<\/p>\n For beginners, debt reduction is the most important task. I know from experience that this can seem like a long, lonely battle. But others have fought it before and have lived to document the process. Here are two books that describe different approaches to winning the fight.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> “Debt is Slavery<\/a>“<\/em> is a deceptively simple book. It’s short. Its advice seems basic. And it’s self-published, so how good can it be? It’s good. He covers a lot of topics that other authors shy away from, such as, the effects of advertising, the weight of possessions, and the soul-sucking misery that comes from a bad job.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> Mihalik’s advice is spot on. This book may be short, but it’s definitely sweet.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> But then again, being short, it doesn’t go into too much depth.<\/p>\n Content:<\/strong> “How to Get Out of Debt”<\/em> is built on the principles of Debtors Anonymous, a 12-step program founded in 1971 to help those who struggle with compulsive debt. Jerrold Mundis<\/a> was himself a debtor, and he based this book on his own experience. This isn’t purely theoretical information from the mind of some Wall Street finance whiz who has never struggled; this book contains real tips and real stories from real people.<\/p>\n Applause:<\/strong> If you’ve tried Dave Ramsey without success, read this. It’s 20 years old, but the information is timeless.<\/p>\n Criticism:<\/strong> This book is better for someone that is just getting started addressing their debt.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/span>Main Sections<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n
\n
\n<\/span>1st Stage: Understanding the Basics, Tackling Debt<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\n
\n<\/span>Basic Personal Finance for Beginners<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/moneymakeoverTN.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/div>\n\nThe Total Money Makeover<\/strong><\/em><\/a>
\nby Dave Ramsey<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For beginners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Christian-focused<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Anti-credit cards<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
“If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else.”<\/em><\/strong><\/div>\n
\n\nYour Money: The Missing Manual<\/em><\/strong><\/a>
\nby J.D. Roth<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For beginners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Great reference guide<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Easy to read and follow<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\nSoldier of Finance: Take Charge of Your Money and Invest in Your Future<\/em><\/strong><\/a>
\nby Jeff Rose<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For beginners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Soldier lingo<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/babylonTN.jpg\" "\\"The")
<\/a><\/div>\n\nThe Richest Man in Babylon<\/em><\/strong><\/a>
\nby George Clason<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For beginners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Easy to read<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Good introduction to personal finance<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\nThe Simple Dollar<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Trent Hamm<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For beginners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Similar content to the simple dollar blog<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n
\n<\/span>Basic Personal Finance for Recent Graduates<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\nThe Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Suze Orman<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Recent graduates<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
People with student loan debt and\/or credit card debt<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Job-seekers or under-earners<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Basic Personal Finance for Under 30<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n![\"I](\"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/i-will-teach-you-to-be-rich-the-book.jpg\")
<\/a><\/div>\n\nI Will Teach You to Be Rich<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Ramit Sethi<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Perfect for under 30, single, and making a decent living<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Both strategic and tactical<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Good for automating your finances<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Basic Personal Finance for Everyone<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.getrichslowly.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ymoylcoverTN.jpg\" "\\"Your")
<\/a><\/div>\n\nYour Money or Your Life<\/em><\/strong><\/a>
\nby Dominguez, Robin, and Tilford<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For everyone<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Simplicity or minimalist-focused<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Intensely practical<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n\nPersonal Finance for Dummies, 5th Edition<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Eric Tyson<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For everyone<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
Great reference guide<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Basic Personal Finance for Lower Income<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\nAll Your Worth: The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Lower income readers may appreciate this one<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n
For make-a-budget haters!<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Reducing Debt for Everyone, Especially Recent Graduates<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\nDebt is Slavery<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Michael Mihalik<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Great for recent graduates, but good for everyone<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n<\/span>Reducing Compulsive Debt<\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\nHow to Get Out of Debt, Stay Out of Debt, and Live Prosperously<\/em><\/strong>
\nby Jerrold Mundis<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
For those in debt, especially compulsive debt<\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n