What are the best books to start learning about finance?

Studying finance is one of the smartest things you can ever do. If you want to better manage money, invest rightly, or become rich, books are the perfect place to learn finance. In this article, we'll talk about 20+ must-read finance books that will learn you personal finance mastery, investing, and becoming wealthy.

1. The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason

Best for: Saving, investing, and creating wealth

This book teaches eternal financial principles through ancient Babylonian parables. The basics are:

✅ Save at least 10% of what you make

✅ Invest your savings so that your money grows

✅ Avoid unnecessary debt and spend wisely

It's a plain, easy-to-grasp book that gives you a good foundation in personal finance.

2. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

Best for: Learning assets, liabilities, and financial freedom

Kiyosaki contrasts his "Rich Dad" (entrepreneurial) and "Poor Dad" (educated but broke) mindset to convey useful lessons regarding money:

✅ Build assets like real estate and stocks

✅ A salary alone will not make you rich

✅ Financial literacy is more important than financial education in school

The book is great for newbies to learn how to think like an investor.

3. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

Best for: Financial behavior and decision-making

This book tells us how emotions influence financial decisions. Key takeaways are:

✅ Wealth is more of good habits with money rather than income

✅ Long-term investing is a stronger strategy than timing the market

✅ Don't be greedy and be patient with investments

It's a must-read to have a good money mindset.

4. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

Best for: Mindset and strategies for building wealth

This classic book teaches that financial success starts with attitude. Some key takeaways:

✅ Establish a specific money objective

✅ Develop grit and self-restraint

✅ Move in the circles of successful individuals

It's not about cash—it's about life achievement.

5. The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley & William D. Danko

Best for: Understanding how real millionaires get rich

This book is based on studies of real millionaires. It reveals that:

✅ Most millionaires have average expenses

✅ They prioritize saving and investing rather than conspicuous consumption

✅ Anybody can be wealthy with wise financial choices

It's a wake-up call and dispels common myths regarding rich people.

6. Your Money or Your Life – Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez

Ideal for: Early retirement and financial independence

This book helps you:

✅ Learn the true value of money

✅ Reduce unnecessary expenses

✅ Become financially independent sooner

It's great for people who want to retire early and live life on their own terms.

7. The Little Book of Common Sense Investing – John C. Bogle

Best for: Simple, long-term investment strategies

Vanguard founder John Bogle teaches you:

✅ Index funds are the best option

✅ Don't try to beat the market

✅ Keep investing simple and affordable

It's a primer on long-term investing for beginners.

8. I Will Teach You to Be Rich – Ramit Sethi

Best for: Young adult personal finance in today's times

This book provides a step-by-step guide to:

✅ Automate saving and investing

✅ Spend guilt-free on what you love

✅ Use credit cards wisely

It is written in an entertaining and engaging style, making finance easy to understand.

 9. The Intelligent Investor – Benjamin Graham

Best for: Learning value investing (used by Warren Buffett)

This book teaches how to invest wisely by:

✅ Focusing on long-term value rather than speculation

✅ Understanding market cycles and investor behavior

✅ Managing risk and emotions

It’s a must-read for serious investors.

10. The Wealthy Gardener – John Soforic

Best for: Financial freedom and wealth-building mindset

This book combines storytelling and financial lessons to teach:

✅ The importance of passive income

✅ How to create financial security

✅ The strength of steady effort

It's a great read for anyone looking to build wealth over the long term.

11. One Up On Wall Street – Peter Lynch

Best for: How to select stocks like an expert

Veteran investor Peter Lynch sets the record straight:

✅ How to spot winners early

✅ Why regular folks can beat Wall Street

✅ Why it pays to know your way around a company before you invest

It's an easy-to-follow guide to smart investing.

12. Broke Millennial – Erin Lowry

Best for: Young adults learning about money management

This book contains:

✅ Budgeting, debt, and credit cards

✅ How to talk about money in relationships

✅ Simple steps to improve your financial life

It's relatable and perfect for beginners.

 13. Financial Freedom – Grant Sabatier

Best for: Early retirement and passive income

This book is about learning to get rich in a short time, including:

✅ Increasing your streams of income

✅ Investing in stocks and real estate

✅ Reducing unnecessary spending

It's excellent for those who desire financial freedom early in life.

 14. Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits – Philip Fisher

Ideal for: Sophisticated stock market investing

This book instructs on:

✅ How to analyze the long-term prospects of a company

✅ How to look for high-quality businesses

✅ How to think like a long-term investor

It's highly recommended for serious investors.

15. The Total Money Makeover – Dave Ramsey

Best for: Paying off debt and living cheaply

Dave Ramsey's system includes:

✅ Aggressive debt reduction

✅ Building an emergency fund

✅ Achieving long-term financial security

It's best for those who are swimming in debt.

More Excellent Finance Books to Read

16. The Barefoot Investor – Scott Pape (Best for Australians)

17. The Alchemy of Finance – George Soros (For hedge fund investors)

18. A Random Walk Down Wall Street – Burton Malkiel (To understand stock market trends)

19. The Simple Path to Wealth – JL Collins (To gain financial independence)

20. Unshakeable – Tony Robbins (To stay strong during market crashes)

 21. The Warren Buffett Way – Robert Hagstrom (To pick up tips from Buffett's methods)

Final Thoughts

Reading finance books has the ability to change your life by making you smarter with money. Start with one book that interests you, practice what you've learned, and watch your financial smarts grow!

What book will you start with? Comment below!