These Books Will Make You Rich

How do you feel about money?

Does even thinking about it make you cringe, feel shame or fear? As it comes to the end of the financial year, are your figures ready for your tax return? Or do you have a drawer stuffed full of receipts that you’re aiming to deal with soon (ie days before the deadline next January)?

If so, you’re not alone. We all have issues around money, and handling our finances. There is too much mystery around it, too much emotion that doesn’t belong there. Money is tied up with our childhoods, with power, shame and our sense of self-worth. But

Saving, investing, handling money: the basics.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert T Kiyosaki

A personal finance classic that explains why we need to invest, as well as earn. This is one to get from a library: you can easily digest its message in one reading.

The Automatic Millionaire – David Bach

Another classic. Really basic stuff about saving and setting up systems, but it helped me a lot when I knew nothing about finance at all.

Money: A Users Guide – Laura Whateley

Really straightforward advice for beginners at the money game, written by a British journalist. Jargon-free advice on how to rent, how a mortgage works, what to do about debt, tax-free savings vehicles such as ISAs, and basic investing.

Great if you know nothing at all, and want it laid out clearly in one place. But as you act on it, also check online resources such as Martin’s Money Saving Expert before taking action: parts of this are already out of date, the curse of trying to give current financial guidance in book form.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich – Ramit Sethi

This is the one that really got through to my son in his late teens/early twenties, and got him saving as well as spending and setting up systems to handle his money. It’s also not as miserly and self-denying as some of the others, acknowledging that it’s all about balance. That money is for enjoying, not just squirrelling away. I love his thoughts about leading a rich and joyful life, rather than endless frugality and miserly penny-pinching.

Your Money or Your Life – Vicki Robin

Good thoughts on why owning loads of stuff and working yourself to death to get even more isn’t the only way of living a full, rounded life. This created a real mind-shift for me, helping me realise that it wasn’t always about earning or acquiring more. It’s also about making the most of what we already have. When we learn to live on less than we’ earn, we can save and gain real financial freedom – with all the choices that brings, about how we spend our time.

Running your own business

The Middle Finger Project – Ash Ambirge

Ash loves money. More precisely, she loves the freedom, independence and lifestyle you can enjoy, as a woman, by setting up your own online business. This book talks about growing up in a trailer park and all the (often painful) lessons life taught her about money. And it explains how she changed that, and offers a blueprint for you to do the same. It’s informative, and moving at times. But it’s also very funny, a call to arms, and a great place to start if you’re thinking of setting up an online business.

Profit First – Mike Michalowicz

OK. This is dry, boring, over-complicated in parts. But the system it teaches changed everything for me. It shows you how to keep your business expenses within your budget, and pay yourself from the start. It took me from constantly thinking a holiday/treats were something we could afford next year/decade/never to having a pot of money that was mine to spend, guilt-free – while still growing my business. Worth ploughing through and taking time to set up, if you don’t know what to spend on work equipment and professional development – or how to pay yourself.

F**k Work Let’s Play – John Williams

Clearly when it comes to business, a sweary attitude sells books! This is a recent update of one of the first books to promote the idea that you can and should make money by doing what you enjoy, setting up quickly, and treating business as a series of experiments. (Tim Ferriss’ deceptively named but very useful The 4-Hour Work Week is another classic). Williams throws in lots of information, but this kitchen sink approach means there’s bound to be something you’ll find useful if you’re embarking on money-making adventures online.

Changing your money mindset

The Art of Money – Bari Tessler

Tessler is a therapist who deals with money issues. Which almost all of us have, one way or another. The tone can be a tiny bit irritating – she is forever nibbling on dark chocolate, for instance – but if you’re someone who freezes or is stuck in unhealthy behaviour patterns with money, this gently and compassionately talks you through a process of trusting what your body is telling you, examining your blocks, and putting systems in place to change them. Like the book below, you’ll get most out of it if you go through it slowly, doing the exercises as you go along. Stick with it. It’s transformational.

The Energy of Money – Maria Nemeth

Another great book on money mindset, full of really illuminating exercises. This one leans heavily on the Buddhist idea of Monkey Mind, helping you get to grips with your internal chatter and deeply-held beliefs and assumptions around money. Take it slowly, do the exercises, and you’ll definitely see some major shifts. I worked my way through both of these books over a period of six months. I don’t think it’s coincidental that my income soared during those months.

The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel

This is aimed at people who already have an investment mindset, and know a little about how the stock market works. It offers great perspectives on risk, reward, saving, and investment choices, and it’s also blessedly short, with very little padding. I found lots that was new and interesting here. If you find yourself longing for a bigger house, a more impressive car, or getting into debt to buy more stuff – this will help you gain a new perspective.