If you have a financial goal, books offer the perfect way to find inspiration, guidance, and useful tips to help you make that dream come true. The best finance books mix instruction with examples to give practical information. You can use a book as your template to achieve financial health or pursue a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Here are some of the best resources for common financial goals, recommended for all levels of financial knowledge. Happy reading!
General Adult Personal Finance Books
Understanding personal finance can help you work toward several important goals, from saving money to establishing a budget. It’s easier than ever to accomplish these goals with digital banking at your fingertips, but first, you need to learn how to use these tools.
Recommended Read: “Financially Forward: How to Use Today’s Digital Tools to Earn More, Save Better, and Spend Smarter” by Alexa Von Tobel
Von Tobel instructs readers on how to use their smartphones' tools to achieve financial goals. She explains why using mobile apps to pay for purchases at stores works more efficiently than carrying cash. She also details why automating your savings each month means you won’t forget about your IRA.
Home Buying, Selling, and Refinancing Books
Everyone from first-time homeowners to retirees can benefit from learning more about how to find a mortgage and refinancing. Even if you’ve been through the buying process before, there’s always more to learn.
Recommended Read: “Buying & Selling a Home: Your All-In-One Guide For Success From America’s Leading Personal Finance Authority” by the editors of Kiplinger’s Finance
This classic in the field of residential real estate is ideal for those who need an overview of residential real estate financing. It includes detailed breakdowns of all types of loans, discussions about fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, and instructions on how to apply for and use a home equity loan.
Retirement Investing Books
As you approach retirement, managing investments becomes crucial. You can find many sources about investing for retirement and what that timeline should look like. But you’ll find fewer that address how to save when you’re nearing or already in retirement.
Recommended Read: “Invest During Retirement: The Vanguard Guide to Managing Your Retirement Assets” by the staff at Vanguard Group of Investment Companies
This book offers actionable tips for managing your investments as you approach 65 and beyond. The book explains how to maximize Social Security and how to raise retirement income without increasing risk.
Home Improvement Books
When you tackle a home improvement project, you want your home to look better, but you also want to reap the financial benefits of investing in your space. If you decide to sell down the road, knowing where to put your money when it comes to a remodel can help you get the offer you’re looking for.
Recommended Read: “Home Makeovers That Sell: Quick and Easy Ways to Get the Highest Possible Price” by Sid Davis
Real estate broker Sid Davis identifies the most cost-effective upgrades and how they can bring in more money for your home.
College Savings Books
If you’re a parent, whether your child is one or 17, you probably have college finances on your mind. Paying for college requires planning and financial know-how, which you can obtain from college savings books.
Recommended Read: “1001 Ways to Pay for College: Practical Strategies to Make Any College Affordable 5th Edition” by Gen and Kelly Tanabe
This how-to bible addresses everything from scholarships and requesting greater financial aid to maximizing your educational tax breaks.
Youth Finance Books
We believe the best way to teach kids financial responsibility is to start early.
Recommended Read: “Dollars & $ense: A Kid’s Guide to Using — Not Losing — Money” by Elaine Scott
Scott’s delightful guide for children gives them a simple introduction to what money is, how it came to be, and how to use it responsibly.
Car Books
Many people worry about getting taken advantage of by a car or motorcycle dealer when they walk into the showroom or contact a seller. Doing your homework beforehand can ensure a good experience when you buy your next vehicle.
Recommended Read: “Don’t Get Taken Every Time: The Ultimate Guide to Buying or Leasing a Car, in the Showroom or on the Internet” by Remar Sutton
Sutton explains the tricks car sellers use to get you to spend more than you should on a car.
Credit Card and Loan Books
Many teens get their first experience with credit when they go to college. But you’re never too old to learn valuable information about credit cards and loans.
Recommended Read: “Cash and Credit Information for Teens” by Kathryn R. Deering
This guide offers a look at consumer rights when borrowing money, as well as outlines how to find the best credit card offers.
With the help of these books, you can learn more about strategies to help you achieve your financial goals. For more tips on money management, visit our Resource Center.
