What Are the Best Books to Learn About Finance?

The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

This book is essential reading for anyone looking to get a basic understanding of investing. The book covers a wide range of topics, from the basics of stock market investing to more advanced concepts such as valuation. It starts with a discussion of the different investors and the different approaches they take.

Graham then discusses the importance of having a sound investment strategy. He covers topics such as risk management and portfolio diversification. The book also includes several case studies, which illustrate some concepts discussed.

How to Adult by Jake Cousineau

If you’re just learning about finance, a lot of excellent books can be overwhelming. If you space out while you’re reading, even the best information won’t be of any benefit to you.

This book has a very engaging conversational style and the author expertly explains the foundational principles for understanding finance in everyday English. Cousineau also incorporates humor to keep your attention and examples to ensure it clicks.

How to Adult provides what you need to make wise financial choices and set yourself up for success. Then, when you’re ready, you’ll have a personal frame of reference from which to build.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Ramsey’s accessible and engaging writing style breaks down his simple yet effective plan for achieving financial stability and independence, including living within one’s means, creating a budget, and avoiding debt.

Through a series of easy-to-follow steps, readers can gradually work toward financial freedom. This book is an essential guide for anyone who wants to take control of their finances and build a brighter financial future, whether they’re struggling with debt or just want to learn how to manage their money more effectively.

The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards

Carl Richards hit the nail on the head with this one, which makes sense as he’s spent over 20 years working for some of the biggest banking institutions in the world.

The book does exactly what it says on the cover—it lets you figure out your financial future on one sheet of paper, taking away some of the mystique behind good financial practices. Highly recommend it to anyone trying to start their journey to financial health.

Why They Didn’t Teach Me This in School? by Carey Siegel

I think this is the best entry book for anyone who wants to learn finance and how to build wealth. It covers a wide range of topics, and all the tips provided in the book are actionable and easy to follow.

This book provides 99 money management principles in areas like budgeting, spending, debt management, insurance and housing, and investing. While discussing those principles, Carey Siegel provided strong real-world examples, sometimes drawn from his own experiences. This approach made the tips shared within this book very realistic, encouraging, and actionable. I remember following his instructions when I made my first budgeting sheet.

I think this book contains every key concept anyone needs to learn to regard personal finance. Thus, I like to think of this book as a personal finance manual instead of just a regular financial book.

The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

This revered personal finance book uses parables to impart essential financial tenets, including saving, investing, and staying away from debt. The book emphasizes the importance of saving and investing for the future, while also stressing the value of seeking sound advice from trusted financial advisors.

It serves as a concise and user-friendly primer on personal finance, making it an accessible and engaging read for anyone looking to build a firm foundation in financial management.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street by Burton Malkiel

Malkiel says that investors should avoid trying to time the market and instead put their money in low-cost index funds and hold their stocks for the long haul. Asset allocation, diversification, and the efficient market hypothesis are only a few of the themes discussed in this book.

It’s written clearly and interestingly that I think any investor can understand, whether they’re just starting or a seasoned pro.