Read These Books Now
Five Books Every Personal Finance Disciple
Should Already Have Read:
Every single person who is on a journey to
financial independence has a unique personal story of how they got to the level
of success they have currently attained. Profiles range from those who have
come from a place of extreme hardship to those from privileged backgrounds.
However different our stories may be, our journeys tend converge as we start
seeking financial independence. Many who have attained some level of success
cite strategies very similar to others that are on this journey.
Shifting your paradigm about wealth, money
management, investments, and connecting to other humans are all common
approaches of those on their way to financial independence. I attribute these
similarity in strategies to the many wonderful books that are available as guiding
principals for those seeking to better their understanding of personal finance
and wealth. Sure, you can be successful without having read any of these books,
but I can say with confidence that I would not be anywhere near where I am
today without these books.
You may argue that with work, school, and family
responsibilities you just don’t have time to read. I would agree - I feel the
same way. The good news is that with today’s technology, we can all get access
to audio versions of these books. These days I listen to at least 1 hour or
audio books every single day during my commute to and from work. I also plug in
my earbuds and listen to books or podcasts while doing yard work or other
mundane tasks around the house. My wife falls asleep to audiobooks every night.
Having the ability to listen to books so frequently has been life-altering for
me! I have a Master’s degree but I am certain I have learned more from these
books in the last year than I did during graduate school.
There are many apps that make listening to books
possible. Amazon is currently offering an Audible free
trial where you can get any of the books on this list
for free!
So, here is my list of must-read books. I would
actually suggest reading them in this order:
This is the book that got me and about 95% of
other seekers of financial independence going. If you have not read this book,
climb out from the rock you’ve been hiding under and read it right now. Through
a compelling, engaging, anecdote-full story, Robert Kiyosaki will open your
eyes to incredibly critical concepts about the accumulation of wealth
through income producing assets. Get this thing on audiobook, have it playing
in your car for the next few weeks, and you will thank me later!
Do you think your friend living in the 5,000
square foot home is wealthy? How about the one driving the brand new Mercedes
Benz? You’d be wrong on both counts if you said yes, at least statistically
when it comes to real wealth in America. The Millionaire Next Door will teach
you the truth about real wealth, and why you’re not as far from it as you may
think. It will test everything you think you know about wealth, but in a really
awesome and eye-opening way.
Dave Ramsey will kick your ass. He will make you
feel like you’re doing it all wrong. And you will love him for it! This book is
about taking control of your life by owning up to your financial messes and by
starting to clean them all up, step by step. This is not for the faint of
heart, but even just partially following what Dave recommends will make you a
significantly better manager of your personal finances. You owe it to yourself
to read (or hear) the messages within this absolutely eye-opening book.
Once you read the first three books on this
list, you will have so much extra money that you will need alternative places
to invest it. It is my personal belief that real estate is the greatest creator
of generational wealth available to the common-folk. Bigger Pockets wrote the
book (literally and figuratively) on real estate investments. This is an
amazing community of individuals seeking to achieve and help others achieve
financial freedom through real estate. This book is an absolute must read for
anyone considering real estate as a path towards financial independence!
This book is an odd member of this list because
it is not a finance book. Yet, it might just be the most valuable and impactful
book ever written on connecting with and building relationships with people.
Dale Carnegie walks you through every aspect of being a good manager,
colleague, and friend. You will never be the same after reading (or listening)
to the lessons within this timeless gem. A financially capable person with the
ability to connect with anyone is a powerful force to be reckoned with. You can
be just that by combining the lessons of this book to what the other four books
on this list teaches you.
So, what are you waiting for? I hope you read
(or listen to) all or most of these books as soon as possible. You will be very
glad you did!
Did I miss an important book here? Feel free to
comment!
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