Must read books?

[momto2greatkids]

I've been reading the posts and several books have been listed. I'd like to know what books are a must read. Anything from cutting cost, paying debt, saving for retirement, investing. Anything to do with money. Any great web sites? I want to really start planning/saving and want to find out what's all out their and decide what would work best for me.

 

TIA

[idtheftvictim]

This might get me "flamed" but, as far as eliminating debt goes, I would recommend the "My Total Money Makeover" book.....won't mention who it is by......

[rpatty]

I've found some great introductory background from Personal Finance for Dummies and The Complete salamander's Guide to Personal Finance in your 20s and 30s.

 

For inspiration and thinking outside the box, Rich Dad, Poor Dad was quite good.

 

And for a dose of practical reality, the book Millionaire Next Door was quite informative. In brief, it looks at the earning and spending habits of millionaires, as well as their relationship with money. What they find is that the typical millionaire doesn't act or think about money in the ways most of us would expect they do.

[bayaba]

Well i read that Rich Dad poor dad and that is a great book. But i'm not sure if it is in the criteria you are talking about.

[stormblade]

If you are looking at getting smarter about investing - I would recommend "One Up On Wall Street" and "Beating The Street" by Peter Lynch.

 

I actually prefer audio books for some of this stuff. The most recent one I bought is "The ABC's of Getting Out of Debt" by Garret Sutton (one of the Rich Dad books). Good information and the audio book format means that I can read and drive at the same time.

 

One of the most motivating and eye opening books that I have read is "Adventure Capitalist" by Jim Rogers. He basically drove a car around the world and looked for places to invest. He was not on a tourist mission, but talked to regular people and actually invested in some of the 116 countries that he drove through.

 

The reason that I like the Jim Rogers books is that it has a very unique perspective. This man travelled for three years around the world and reported what he saw. Not only that, he compared it to the trip he had taken on his motorcycle around the world and highlighted what was different and what stayed the same. I would recommend this book for all Americans to read. Most Americans have no idea what the rest of the world is like. Jim Rogers offers a unique perspective that is not tainted by journalism, government or politics. Jim gives his views on where many different countries stand as far as economic stability and progress are concerned. He documents where he has seen many of these other countries come from and where they are going as far as investment potential and economic prospects.

 

Check out his website at: www.jimrogers.com

Edited February 24, 2005 by stormblade

[Clarkfan2]

I think that "Financial Peace Revisited" by Dave Ramsey is a faster read than the "Total Money Makeover" as suggested by IDTheft.(Just my opinion both have about the same stuff except TMM is filled with testamonials.) "The Millionaire Next Door." "The Automatic Millionaire." "The Wealthy Barber." All of these are good financial motivators written by average Joe's who have made it.

Edited February 26, 2005 by Clarkfan2

[aiken]

I liked Wealth Without Risk years ago, which is probably the best thing Givens ever did (he had a lot of problems after that). I also like Ernst & Youngs Tax Saver's Guide. Quite frankly there is a lot of so-so stuff out there. You have to read a lot to really know what is worthwhile or not. A Random walk Down Wall Street is another classic that is updated often, but it is aimed at investing.

[DHK]

For a good money philosophy book, I like The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason.

 

It reads like the bible and gives good insight into an overall financial strategy to live your life by.

[Clarkfan2]

Aiken, people might be able to check out "Wealth without Risk" from the public library. It is another favorite of mine. His later book called "Super-Self" is a life coaching book. The man was a man of ideas way before its time. (He is deceased now) You might have noticed my quote on the signature line is from Charles J Givens. It is the name of chapter 1 in Super-Self. It's a great book,a great read and motivator.

[kkaple]

I just finished "Total Money Makeover" and made DH go buy it, too. It is awesome! I am so motivated now...I cannot wait to be DEBT-FREE!

 

Kris

[Pavlov]

I recommend the newbies section of this web site!

Edited February 27, 2005 by tallsaltlake

[bfit01]

The Science of Getting Rich is an excellent read. It was written in 1910 and holds true today. Very enlightening. It is available free. Just Google it.

Edited February 27, 2005 by bfit01

[joshbgosh]

Rich Dad, Poor Dad...author slips my mind....great book!

[amszyh]

Some of these are seconds of ones mentioned above, but they're my favorites:

 

The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

Author: Dave Ramsey

 

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy

Author(s): Thomas Stanley & William Danko

 

Rich Dad, Poor Dad

Author(s): Robert Kiyosaki (with Sharon Lechter)

 

The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

Author: Andrew Tobias

[Dane]

Smart Couple Finish Rich

Or

Smart Women Finish Rich

 

AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME

[madflower]

"Wealth Without Risk" by charles givens. Excellent book, you just have to skim over some of the examples since they are out of date and some of the tax strategies are too. It is well organized, easy to read, easy to skim, and easy to understand.

 

I got my copy for like 50 cents at goodwill. It made me re-evaluate some strategies and re-enforced others. It was probably the best investment I have ever made for the money and the couple of hours i spent reading it.

 

Actually it is a loaner book too. I give it out to everyone.