12 Best Money Books To Take Control Of Your Finances
Is finance an area in your life that you want to improve?
Maybe you’re a fresh graduate trying to pay off loans or a parent that wants to manage money better.
I can tell you that you’re definitely not alone.
I remember the frustration of grappling with my budget, expenses, and savings, struggling to make sense of it all.
But then, I made a decision that would transform my financial life – I picked up a book.
It may sound simple, but that small act kicked off a profound change.
Money, as ubiquitous as it is, often remains an area that many people still try to grapple.
We earn it, spend it, sometimes save it – but to really understand it?
That’s a different ballgame. How do we break the chains that tie us to financial stress and anxiety?
That’s why I advocate so much for reading a money book. There is SO much wealth of knowledge out there that offers strategies.
In this blog post, I’ll be sharing my top book recommendations that help not only in achieving early retirement but changing your money mindset.
These are the 12 best money books that have the power to alter how you approach and handle money.
I consider the books below to be the best money books that have the power to change how you approach and handle money. They may help you:
- Create healthier money habits
- Change your scarcity mindset into an abundant money mindset
- Make extra income in various ways
- Feel less stressed about handling money
- Make more than $20,000, working less than 5 hours a week
- Budget your money in a way that doesn’t feel restricting
12 Best Money Books
Broke Millennial is one of the best money books out there, in my opinion. provides a comprehensive guide to budgeting, investing, and navigating the complexities of personal finance. I love how Erin Lowry combines humor, relatable anecdotes, and actionable tips to encourage readers to take control of their financial well-being.
3 main takeaways:
- Emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and understanding basic money concepts
- Provides practical advice on how to track expenses, save money, and prioritize financial objectives
- Provides strategies for addressing convos about shared expenses, debts, and financial expectations in relationships
Your Money or Your Life gives a step-by-step guide to achieving financial independence by examining the true cost of work, aligning spending with values, and making intentional choices to create a fulfilling and sustainable life.
3 main takeaways:
- Introduces the concept of the “real hourly wage,” which factors in the time and energy spent on work-related activities
- You’ll be encouraged to evaluate your expenses and identify whether each purchase brings true fulfillment to you
- Outlines a systematic approach to achieving financial independence, referred to as the “Nine-Step Program“
Financial Feminist is a book written by Tori Dunlap, a globally-recognized personal finance educator and social media star behind Her First $100K. Tori teaches women how to overcome the obstacles of financial freedom.
3 main takeaways:
- Exercises and journal prompts to help you evaluate your current relationship with money and learn how to make necessary changes
- Outlines actionable steps to financial freedom and confidence
- For every women who has big goals and dreams and just needs the money to afford them (without feeling guilt)
Think and Grow Rich outlines principles for achieving wealth and success by transforming one’s mindset. Napoleon Hill draws on the experiences of successful individuals, including Henry Ford and Thomas Edison, to illustrate the power of positive thinking, goal-setting, and persistence. I recommend this book SO much. I personally thought this book really helped me on my financial journey.
3 main takeaways:
- Teaches you how to define a clear and specific goal or purpose.
- Gives tips on how to cultivate optimism in the face of challenges which significantly contributes to financial success
- Introduces the concept of the subconscious mind’s role in shaping one’s reality
The Psychology of Money focuses on understanding the human side of money, offering valuable lessons for effective wealth management. The author, Morgan Housel, emphasizes that financial success is often more about managing behavior than possessing exceptional investment skills.
3 main takeaways:
- Explains why behaviors matter more than skills
- Gives insight on the power of compounding and patience and how to avoid making impulsive decisions
- Provides research and examples on adaptability and flexibility in financial planning
Quit Like A Millionaire chronicles Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung’s path to early retirement through strategic financial decisions and investing. The book offers insights into building wealth, managing money, and pursuing a fulfilling life without being bound to traditional work.
3 main takeaways:
- Shen and Leung share their approach to investing, focusing on low-cost index funds and real estate
- Gives insight on the role of frugality in their journey and how to do so
- Encourages readers to redefine their relationship with wealth
The Simple Path To Wealth is a great book for those who are interested in long-term investing and simplicity. J.L. Collins shares timeless wisdom on investing in low-cost index funds, the importance of frugality, and strategies for achieving financial independence.
3 main takeaways:
- Provides tips on how to invest in low-cost index funds as a simple and effective way to build wealth over time
- Teaches readers how to focus on reducing unnecessary expenses and living below their means
- Introduces the concept of financial independence and the freedom it brings
I Will Teach You To Be Rich provides a step-by-step plan for mastering personal finance. I loved this book because the author, Ramit Sethi, covers key aspects such as budgeting, saving, investing, and earning more money. He emphasizes a practical, automated approach to financial management.
3 main takeaways:
- Gives tips on how to automate financial processes, from setting up automatic transfers to investment contributions
- Provides readers strategies to prioritize spending on things they value while cutting back on non-essential expenses
- Teaches how to invest early on and select low-cost, diversified investments
The 4-Hour Workweek is one of the best-selling money books of all time. Tim Ferriss introduces the concept of lifestyle design, advocating for creating a life that prioritizes personal fulfillment and time freedom over traditional notions of career success. He introduces the concept of working fewer hours and focusing on what truly matters.
3 main takeaways:
- Introduces the 80/20 principle, asserting that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts
- Teaches readers how to delegate and automate processes, both in your personal and work life
- Provides tips to readers about how to pursue mini-retirements and integrate periods of travel, learning, and leisure
Work Optional offers a roadmap to financial independence, empowering readers to design a life centered around their values and passions. Tanja Hester shares practical strategies for saving, investing, and aligning spending with personal priorities to attain the freedom to choose whether or not to work.
3 main takeaways:
- Teaches readers to envision their ideal lifestyle and define what financial independence means to them
- Provides strategies on how to focus on sustainable wealth-building strategies
- Gives insight on how to cultivate a purpose-driven life beyond work
The Magic of Thinking Big, written by David Schwartz, focuses on cultivating a positive, ambitious mindset that is crucial for overcoming obstacles, setting big goals, and ultimately realizing one’s full potential in various aspects of life, including finances.
3 main takeaways:
- Provides readers insight on the importance of thinking beyond immediate circumstances and daring to dream big
- Teaches readers how to develop self-confidence, even in the face of challenges
- Advocates for surrounding oneself with positive influences and like-minded individuals
The Automatic Millionaire promotes the idea that financial success is attainable through simple, automated actions. The author, David Bach, teaches readers how to set up automatic contributions to savings, investments, and debt payments to build wealth effortlessly.
3 main takeaways:
- Explores the concept of “paying yourself first” and making financial success a routine part of life
- Introduces the concept of “automatic homeownership” by encouraging readers to make mortgage payments a priority
- Teaches readers how to prioritize financial security that contribute to wealth-building
Which one of these best money books would you want to give a read? Let me know in the comments below!
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