1 – Rich Dad Poor Dad: Robert Kiyosaki, 1997. This book is a personal finance classic, and the first in the “Rich Dad” series. Kiyosaki shares his own story of growing up with two dads – one his biological father, and the other the father of his best friend. The book compares and contrasts the two men’s approaches to money and investing, and shows how Kiyosaki adopted the philosophy of his friend’s father to build wealth. The book covers topics such as understanding the difference between assets and liabilities, building passive income streams, and taking calculated risks.
2 – The Intelligent Investor: Benjamin Graham, 1949. This book is considered the bible of value investing, and is one of Warren Buffett’s favorite books. Graham teaches readers how to analyze stocks and bonds, and how to determine the intrinsic value of a company. He also emphasizes the importance of diversification, and warns against speculation and market timing. The book is divided into three parts: investment versus speculation, fundamental analysis, and a series of case studies.
3 – The Millionaire Next Door: Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko, 1996. This book is based on a study of millionaires in the United States, and challenges many common stereotypes about wealthy people. The authors found that most millionaires are actually self-made, and that they live below their means and prioritize savings and investment. The book provides practical advice on how to build wealth, such as by living frugally, starting a business, and avoiding debt.
4 – The 4-Hour Work Week: Timothy Ferriss, 2007. This book is a guide to “lifestyle design,” and teaches readers how to escape the 9-5 grind and create a life of freedom and flexibility. Ferriss shares his own experiences of building successful online businesses, and provides tips on how to automate and outsource tasks, optimize productivity, and eliminate unnecessary work. The book also covers strategies for negotiating, outsourcing, and reducing expenses.
5 – The Psychology of Money: Morgan Housel, 2020. This book explores the complex relationship between human behavior and money, and provides insights into how people can make better financial decisions. Housel draws on research from psychology, history, and economics, and uses real-life examples to illustrate his points. The book covers topics such as the importance of compounding, the dangers of overconfidence, and the role of luck in financial success.
6 – Think and Grow Rich: Napoleon Hill, 1937. This book is a classic in the self-help genre, and is based on interviews with over 500 successful people, including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and Andrew Carnegie. Hill distills the wisdom of these individuals into a set of principles for success, such as having a clear purpose, developing a positive mindset, and taking persistent action. The book has been credited with inspiring countless entrepreneurs and business leaders.
7 – The Richest Man in Babylon: George S. Clason, 1926. This book is a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon, and teaches timeless lessons about personal finance and wealth creation. The stories follow the lives of various characters, such as a chariot builder and a musician, who learn the importance of saving, investing, and avoiding debt. The book’s central message is that anyone can build wealth by following simple principles such as paying oneself first and putting money to work.
8 – The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing: Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer, and Michael LeBoeuf, 2006. This book is a comprehensive guide to investing based on the philosophy of John C. Bogle, founder of Vanguard Group and creator of the index fund. The authors explain Bogle’s approach to investing, which emphasizes low-cost, passive strategies such as index fund investing. The book covers topics such as asset allocation, diversification, and the importance of staying the course during market downturns. The authors also address common investing myths and provide practical advice for investors of all levels.
9 – The One Minute Millionaire: Mark Victor Hansen and Robert G. Allen, 2002. This book presents a unique blend of fiction and nonfiction, and teaches readers how to become millionaires in just one minute. The nonfiction portion of the book provides practical advice on wealth building, such as developing a millionaire mindset, creating multiple streams of income, and using leverage to your advantage. The fiction portion tells the story of a struggling entrepreneur who learns these principles from a millionaire mentor.
10 – Your Money or Your Life: Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez, 1992. This book is a guide to achieving financial independence and living a meaningful life. The authors encourage readers to shift their perspective from a focus on consumption to a focus on values, and to examine the true cost of their spending habits. The book provides a nine-step program for transforming your relationship with money, including tracking your spending, reducing expenses, and building passive income streams. The authors also emphasize the importance of finding joy and purpose outside of traditional notions of work and consumption.
