Fall is upon us. With only four months left of 2019, right now is the perfect time to get your finances in order or to revamp your current personal finances before the new year. Thankfully, in today’s world, there are so many different tools and resources that provide helpful information that can help you accomplish your personal financial goals. Below is a list of 5 books that you can start reading today that will help you get your financial house in order.
We have to start with the basics – setting up a budget. Surprisingly, “according to a recent study by U.S. Bank, 41% of Americans say they use a budget.” That’s not nearly enough! In this book, the Budgetnista makes starting and sticking to a budget very easy. In her own words this book “is for anyone that wants to manage their day-to-day money without the day-to-day trouble.”
Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan For Financial Fitness by Dave Ramsey
Ever heard of the debts snowball plan? In this book, Dave Ramsey walks readers through the debt snowball plan and helps readers build healthy-sized savings account for emergencies and retirement through small achievable steps.
How to Retire with Enough Money: And How to Know What Enough Is by Teresa Ghilarducci, P.h. D.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming but it is so important to do. This book “cuts through the confusion, misinformation, and bad policy-making that keeps us spending or saving poorly. It begins with acknowledging what a person or household actually needs to have saved—the rule of thumb is eight to ten times your annual salary before retirement—and how much to expect from Social Security. And then it delivers the basic principles that will make the money grow, including a dozen good ideas to get current expenses under control.” This book will give you the confidence you need to either get started with saving for retirement or to amp up your current retirement savings strategy.
Written by a woman for women, this book teaches readers how to take responsibility for your financial future, whether you’re just starting out or need a fresh start. In a handy Q & A format, it offers relatable and easy to understand and implement advice on everything from managing credit cards, homeownership, and student loans to affordable childcare and even negotiating for a higher salary. Following Patrice’s practical advice, you’ll learn to form “wealthy” habits, establish an “opportunity fund,” stop collecting STUFF that causes debt, and discovers the freedom that comes from feeling financially secure.”
Money: A Love Story By Kate Northup
All of us have a relationship with money and different money beliefs that ultimately influence how we spend and manage our money. In this book, readers take the Money Love Quiz to see “where on the spectrum your relationship with money stands—somewhere between “on the outs” and “it’s true love!”—Northrup takes you on a rollicking ride to a better understanding of yourself and your money. Step-by-step exercises that address both the emotional and practical aspects of your financial life help you figure out your personal perceptions of money and wealth and how to change them for the better.” Knowing this information will help readers become better at managing what they already have.
That’s our list. With this list, I recommend you take the information that you find to be the most useful and relatable and leave all the rest.
What personal finance books do you recommend? Let us know in the comments section below!