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I was going to have a budget up for everyone today, but it needs a bit more work…..and I got sucked into a good book. Now, I read lots of blogs and online content, but I am not much of an analog book reader (read: physical books).
When I do read, I love motivational, financial and entrepreneurship oriented books. I guess I’m a bit of an idea guy, part-time dreamer and someone who is always looking for how to better help people. So I end up reading non-fiction books.
They improve my life in so many ways and sometimes are the spark the lights an idea in my brain to make some significant, impactful changes. So I wanted to share with you my current reading wish list, including books I have read and am reading. Most of these will be affiliate links, so if you decide to join me in my reading ventures, I do receive a small commission. I thank you for the support, and I know these books will change your life like they have mine 🙂
Books I’ve Read
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey: This book was the spark that ignited in me a passion for personal finance and budgeting. You could say that Dave Ramsey started this website 🙂 Great read for those getting started AND for those who just need a kick in the pants to start taking control of their finances in a real way.
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley: This book was given to me as a Christmas gift a few years back. I LOVE NUMBERS, so this was an awesome case study of who REAL millionaires actually are. Hint: They don’t lease fancy cars and buy crap they can’t afford to impress people they don’t even like. 😉
Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallman: This book caused me to completely cancel my Edward Jones Roth IRA and transfer it to a Roth IRA at Vanguard.com. You can check out my review of the book here. Essentially, it showed me, in simple terms, why investing in index funds is SO MUCH SMARTER than paying ridiculous fees to people who TRY to beat the market….and mostly fail.
Books I’m Currently Reading
Books On My Wish List
E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber: Every “Top 5 small business owner must read” lists include this book, and usually near the very top. This has been on my “read soon” list for about a year, definitely picking this one up next. Or maybe for Christmas….(WIFE?!)
The Four Pillars Of Investing by William Bernstein: I don’t know about you, but investing is kind of scary. I feel like it’s gambling sometimes, and it’s really hard to know how to build a good portfolio that maximizes potential upside and minimizes risk of losing it ALL. This book is a classic in the ways of passive investing and investing for people who don’t want to waste money on fees.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton G. Malkiel: In the same vein as The Four Pillars Of Investing, this book has been known as “the first book to purchase when starting a portfolio.” The latest edition also addresses the recent Recession that scared MANY investors out of the stock market.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: A few of you have suggested this book, and I have heard good things. I was hesitant knowing how much he suggests leveraging yourself, but I know that it isn’t all bad, and could learn a thing or two from this book. Adding to my list.
Your Money Or Your Life by Vicki Robin: The book that has motivated MANY of the finance bloggers out there, as well as many who have gone on to become Financially Independent WAY before traditional retirement age. I want to read this AND get my wife to read it as well 🙂
And that’s my awesome reading list. WHAT’S YOURS?
For non-fiction, I enjoy personal finance books, funny memoirs, and motivational/entrepreneurial books. A few of my favorites from this year are I Will Teach You to be Rich and Choose Yourself. I really hated The Millionaire Next Door though, too dry for my taste.
Ooo, The E-myth and Millionaire Teacher are on my list! Can’t wait to read 🙂
Millionaire Teacher was awesome. Read it in like 2 days! Then got into index funds, and stopped getting ripped off by fees from financial management firms. YAY!
E-Myth sounds awesome, and is like the most highly recommended book out there. Gotta get this one next!
Dave Ramsey is awesome. I’m surprised you don’t have Rich Dad, Poor Dad in here.
You know….I’ve heard good things. Being SUPER LEVERAGED is not my thing, but I bet I could learn a thing or two about getting into Real Estate from that book.
And yeah, DR got me into finance. And he’s just plain funny!
Totally enjoyed The Millionaire Next Door…twas nice facing the cold hard figures. Rich Dad Poor Dad too, some key lessons to be picked up there. Current wishlist:
The Intelligent Investor and the 80/20 Principle!
Hmmm….I’ve seen “intelligent investor” thrown around a bit as well. Might need to check it out.
I’m a huge non-fiction reader and LOVED both The Total Money Makeover and The Millionaire Next Door – very good books! On my wish list these days is The Essays of Warren Buffett, which I’ve heard is fabulous!
Nice! Sounds like a good read. Learning from the 3rd richest dude in the world can’t be a bad thing 🙂
I’m in the same boat, I really enjoy this type of literature. I’ve read a few of those on your list but I’ll have to reserve a couple more from the library. Thanks for the inspiration!
Libraries are pure magic, aren’t they? 🙂
With the amount of time I spend reading blogs nowadays I find it hard to find time for anything else. Though I do love a good motivational book. I really enjoyed “Zero to Zillionaire” by Chellie Campbell and am re reading to highlight and make notes on.
Nice. A marked up book is a life changing book!
I just got through a couple of books recently by the same authors. The most recent one was Decisive by Dan and Chip Heath. A very good book to help make sure you are considering the right set of options before actually making decisions. Made to Stick by the same authors was good too, about why certain ideas stick around better than others.
Making the RIGHT decisions is tough….sounds like a good read 🙂
I don’t read too many personal finance books. If I am going to read something in the finance realm it tends to be more of an “academic” style book and those can be extremely dry.
If I am reading something for purely entertainment I tend to read historical books.
Hmmm, interesting. Maybe I’m just uncultured, but my version of reading a history book is watching National Treasure! Which I did two nights ago 😉
I’ve been on a Sherlock Holmes and Agatha Christie kick ever since my trip to London. Fortunately the Sherlock Holmes works are all out of copyright (free on Kindle!) and I can borrow several Agatha Christie novels from the library.
A friend recommended The Ascent of Money: A Financial History of the World by British historian Niall Ferguson, so that’s next on my list.
Interesting. I like looking at finances from a historical point of view. Puts things into perspective. Let me know how it is!
I have read the Total Money Makeover and The Millionaire Next Door, good picks. I also like “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” and Warren Buffett’s “The Snowball”.
Is the Warren Buffet book about paying off your debt from smallest to largest?? 😉
I read Total Money Makeover in 2008 when I saw it on the table of someone I was house-sitting for. At that point in my life I was just getting started in the workforce and was planning on taking out a car loan, applying for some credit cards, and making other less-than-smart financial moves. After reading it I cut up my credit cards and decided to hang onto my clunker car for a while longer. After my husband and I married in 2009 we were able to become debt-free and save up a full emergency fund. None of that would have happened if I hadn’t read the book sitting on the table.
I, too, read it in 2008! It was the catalyst to getting on the right track financially. Don’t want to imagine what life would be like WITHOUT having read that book.
This is a great list of books. Love the Millionaire Next Door and TTMM. I’m intrigued by the E-myth and will probably check that out soon. I’m currently re-reading Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell.
I’ve also heard great things about Outliers. What’s that about again?
Great list. I like Dave Ramsey’s book. It’s a must buy!
Millionaire next door and Rich Dad Poor Dad are two of my favorite finance books. It’s a shame that Kiyosaki could’ve become a great personal finance guy, instead he’s more of a snake oil salesman.
Yeah, I think that’s why I haven’t picked up the book yet. But I’ll put it on my list 🙂
I read fiction usually. I did enjoy The Automatic Millionaire though. I am currently reading Todd Tressider’s “How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?” – one of his 60 minute guide books.
These are absolutely great books to read. I don’t have current reading wish list yet as of the moment due to my busy schedule, though I might give your wish list some consideration.
I know I’m a little late commenting (just discovering you from MMM) but I wanted to chime in – I love reading PF books (all from the library, of course), too. Your money or Your Life is my favorite. I also really liked The millionaire Next Door.
Rich Dad Poor dad was okay at first but by the end too many things didn’t add up for me. You’re a savvy reader, so I’m sure you’ll get something out of it, but I wouldn’t recommend it to a newbie.
One book I haven’t seen mentioned here that I really liked was Andrew Tobias’ The Only Investment Guide you’ll ever need. Excellent overview for investors.
I really want Your Money or Your Life for Christmas, and not just a library check out, because I have the feeling I will reference it A LOT. Thanks for the additional suggestion.