7 Books That Will Change How You Handle Money, Forever
The majority of Americans in their 20s and 30s (and beyond) are lacking in financial literacy. What is financial literacy, you ask? It's the knowledge to make effective financial decisions on your own. So basically, everything from knowing if you can afford that jacket you've had your eye on to how much you should be saving per month for retirement. A study found that less than 50 percent of 1,000 Americans could explain what a 401(k) is, the concept of bankruptcy, or even how inflation works. Studies also discovered that among underserved or minority populations, financial illiteracy is even more severe.
Unless your parents or your high school teachers actually taught you necessary financial fundamentals, you end up having to fend for yourself when it comes to money management. And to understand your money is to understand how to live your best life. Whether you're planning a trip, aiming for early retirement, or just plain shopping for groceries, everyone—everyone—needs to know how to handle their money. Luckily, there are plenty of amazing money experts out there who manage to make even the most intricate financial complexities sound as simple as 2+2. With their help, you can get on the path to fixing your finances. Just choose one (or five) of these books below to start.
You're So Money by Farnoosh Torabi
Farnoosh Torabi, an accredited finance expert, gives her advice on all things money. From innovative budgeting to saving tips, Torabi offers insight for keeping your refined tastes—without going into debt to Louis Vuitton. If you're looking for ways to continue shopping at Whole Foods and save for that overseas trip, this is the book for you.
I Will Teach You To Be Rich by Ramit Sethi
Sethi's book is a handy guide for all things finance, like how to eliminate debt and set up an investment strategy. It gives everyone the tools to get started, even if you don't know where to start. I Will Teach You To Be Rich inspires readers to handle their life by handling their money. But Sethi does it in a breezy, witty tone anyone will fall in love with.
Why Didn't They Teach Me This in School by Cary Siegel
Plenty of us have thought, at some point, Why didn't I learn this in school? We can't answer that for sure, but we can tell you that Siegel uses his money management expertise to create 99 easy-to-follow finance tips we wish we'd learned earlier. These tips range from couponing to how to buy a car within your budget to how to avoid overpaying the IRS.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel
If you're looking for an in-depth analysis of investing, Malkiel's newest book is for you. This book goes into topics such as cryptocurrencies, 401Ks, and the stock market. Malkiel's witty, approachable tone makes conquering your finances seem feasible.
Start Your F.I.R.E by Dylin Redling and Allison Tom
Soon after married couple Dylin Redling and Allison Tom launched the site retireby45.com, they published Start Your F.I.R.E, a book about retiring as early as you can. Let's face it: That's something plenty of us would love to accomplish. With expert advice and online features to track money, Start Your F.I.R.E is the first smart investment in a financially free future.
You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero
Remember the first You Are a Badass book and how it seemed to solve everything at the time? Well, Jen Sincero comes to the rescue once again with a book to help solve your financial issues. Throughout, Sincero shares many stories about people who have found resourceful ways to make money. What makes the book unique is its highlighting of spiritual approaches, such as money "manifestation."
Broke Millennial by Erin Lowry
Erin Lowry's book is dedicated to every millennial who is desperate to figure out where to start on their finances. Her book provides easy-to-follow guides to getting started in budgeting and dealing with debt. As a financial expert, she makes every lesson simple. How? By relating it to real-life examples such as Tinder dates and panic attacks. This is the financial bible for a generation.
