Back to School? 10 Books for Investors of All Levels

The following article is provided by Carrie Smith, personal finance blogger for Careful Cents. 

We believe investors are made, not born. And for even the most advanced financial whizzes, ongoing education remains a key part of managing money well. Whether you’re just getting started with investing, or you’re getting close to retiring, maybe it’s time to go back to school—or at least re-fill your Kindle.

Blogs, magazines, and newspapers are a good source of learning, as well. One word of warning: Be mindful of what you’re consuming—too much market news might compel you to try and time the market, which rarely leads to better outcomes, research shows.

Here is a list of 10 popular reads to get you started on the path of good financial habits.

1. “The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco

Getting rich quick doesn’t exist, and author MJ DeMarco explains how to build wealth so you can enjoy it now instead of waiting until your golden years. He advocates moving out of “The Slowlane” or traditional way of gaining financial security, and moving into “The Fastlane” with some key pieces of advice.

2. “The Debt-Free Spending Plan” by JoAnneh Nagler

It’s nearly impossible to build wealth or invest for the future when you have loads of debt weighing you down. But where do you start? Author JoAnneh Nagler—a former fundraiser and grant writer—shares her real-life plan that you apply daily and that can help you get out of debt and reach financial freedom.

3. “Dream Save Do” by Warren and Betsy Talbot

We all dream of the day we can quit our jobs, travel the world, and become financially independent. But in order to make that dream a reality, there are a few steps we must follow. The Talbots are a husband-and-wife team who quit their corporate jobs to pursue their dreams. This book explains exactly how you and your family can do the same.

4. “Give Yourself a Raise” by Gordon Bennett Bliel

The more money you can make, the faster you can reach your financial goals–it’s a pretty simple strategy but one we don’t often implement. Financial educator Gordon Bennett Bliel offers simple steps to help you increase your income and reduce stress.

5. “Make Money Your Honey” by Amanda Abella

If you plan on owning a business one day (or if you already do), then this book will help you come to grips with your money mindset. In order to be a successful business owner and investor, you need to bust through that financial ceiling so you can start bringing in more money, and Amanda Abella’s advice will enable you to do that.

6. “The Behavior Gap” by Carl Richards

We already know that we do stupid things with our money, and the stock market often dictates our moods. It’s easy to blame the economy and Wall Street for our bad financial decisions, but author Carl Richards reminds us how investing really works, so we can avoid getting caught up in the emotion of it all.

7. “Money Rules” by Jean Chatzky

The entire premise of this short book is that money is actually very simple, and we’re the ones who make it complicated. Jean Chatzky offers basic money rules that, if followed, can lead to a richer more enjoyable path to lifelong security. You can easily read through this book in one sitting and start applying its principles to your life immediately.

8. “The Millionaire Next Door” by Thomas Stanley and William Danko

If you want to become a millionaire, it starts by studying what millionaires do and following the seven rules outlined in this book. The authors spent a lot of time researching, interviewing, and studying people with a high networth. The one thing they discovered that is required to reach financial freedom: Live well below your means.

9. “Spirit Driven Success” by Dani Johnson

If you’ve never read Dani Johnson’s story, it’s truly inspiring. After filing for bankruptcy and being completely broke, homeless, and on her own at the age of 21, she started a business out of her car. Within two years, she was a millionaire and became the success story she is today. She shares the exact strategies she used to get back on her feet again without sacrificing her beliefs.

10. “The Intelligent Investor” by Benjamin Graham

Although this book was written nearly seven decades ago, the principles are still studied and shared by some of the most successful investors of our day, like investing legend Warren Buffett. Author Benjamin Graham is widely considered one of the greatest investment advisors of all time. You can use his time-tested investment strategies to build a successful portfolio.

This article was written by Carrie Smith for Betterment.