16 Money Books You Need to Read

Quick financial analysis—buy a book written by a financial expert to help you better understand money, $13. Hire a money expert, wayyy more than $13. In other words, by reading this article, you're already making very a very wise financial decision. You're killin' this whole money-managing thing!

Looking to get savvy about your money is such a smart move!

Only 48 percent of U.S. adults say they have enough emergency savings to cover at least three months’ worth of expenses, according to a new Bankrate survey. To add insult to injury, more than half of those people can't cover even a $1,000 unexpected expense. 

Not managing your money can put you in a vulnerable position that makes unexpected expenses add more stress and worry to your life. Thankfully, you can take control of your money starting today and put yourself on a position of control.

In the interest of making other financially wise decisions, we rounded up 16 of our favorite finance books, written by (and for!) women. They cover everything from debt to self-confidence to investing, asking for a raise, or deciding how to finally set up a budget that works for your life.

The criteria we considered when making this list were the following:

The Best Financial Books: The Quick List

Best Finance Books For Beginners

Here's a good place to start to understand money, prep your mindset for wealth, and get started with managing your finances!

Get Good With Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche

Get Good with Money introduces the powerful concept of building wealth through financial wholeness: a realistic, achievable, and energizing alternative to get-rich-quick and over-complicated money management systems. With helpful checklists, worksheets, a tool kit of resources, and advanced advice from experts who Tiffany herself relies on (her “Budgetnista Boosters”), Get Good with Money gets crystal clear on the short-term actions that lead to long-term goals.

On My Own Two Feet: A Modern Girl's Guide to Personal Finance by Manisha Thakor and Sharon Kedar 

Two Harvard graduates get together to write a book, for women, about how women can improve their money management skills. It's a no-brainer that you want to read it—and read it now.

They cover topics like credit card debt, creating budgets, and how to come up with a simple plan to help ease your financial stresses. 

Best Finance Books for The Right Money Mindset

Get your mind right to get your money right.

You really need to remove all your preconceived notions about money and start with a fresh mindset that can help you build wealth in a healthy, long-term way.

Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu

Upon embarking on her Wall Street career fresh out of undergrad, Vivian Tu's initial realization was simple: she was earning more money than she had ever encountered in her life.

However, it wasn't until she encountered a mentor of her own on the bustling trading floor that she truly grasped the wisdom wealthy individuals seemed to possess innately. It was here that she unlocked the secrets to outwitting the age-old financial game, which had for far too long been dominated by a predominantly male, homogenous, and unchanging demographic.

Building on the lessons she learned on Wall Street about money and the markets, Vivian now offers her best personal finance tips and tricks to readers of all ages and demographics, so that anyone can get rich, whether you grew up knowing the rules of the game or not.

Vivian will be your mentor, dispensing fresh, no-BS advice on thinking like a rich person and creating smart money habits.

You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master The Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

You've probably already read Sincero's first book, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life.

Even if you're not a self-help book person, you'll love her sarcastic, witty insight on how to live a better life. Her take on finances is the same—even if you're not a money person, you'll be able to laugh and learn alongside the nuggets of financial wisdom she provides. Sincero gets real about her own financial perils and successes—which makes it a relatable, motivating read.

Women's Worth: Finding Your Financial Confidence by Eleanor Blayney

Women are different than men.

We earn money differently (think: wage gap, male-dominated industries) and spend money differently than men. Why is most of the financial advice, then, written by men, about men's experiences, meant for men, but marketed for "everyone"?

This book gets real about women and our relationship with money. Blayney breaks big concepts down into palatable chunks, and even includes exercises to help think them through. Education breeds confidence—and we all deserve to be more confident in ourselves

Best Overall Finance Books

Looking for the most bang for your financial buck? We love these comprehensive books about money, budgeting, debt, investing, and more.

Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money, and Build Real Wealth by Bola Sokunbi

This financial book comes from the perspective of a Black woman. When Bola Sokunbi realized that close to zero financial books were serving women of color, she set out to write Clever Girl Finance: Ditch Debt, Save Money and Build Real Wealth. It sets an actionable beginner's guide to all things personal finance. Learn how to get rid of your debt and save your money—for real. 

The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack 

A remarkable notion was born in a chance encounter between University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack and Helaine Olen, the acclaimed financial journalist behind the bestselling Pound Foolish.

Pollack casually suggested that the essentials of managing your money could easily fit onto a humble index card. To illustrate this concept, he reached for a simple 4" x 6" card, jotted down a list of ten rules, and then shared a snapshot of it online. The result? A viral sensation.

In a unique collaboration, Pollack and Olen join forces to delve into why these ten straightforward rules, etched on that unassuming index card, prove to be more effective than complex financial strategies.

Inside their partnership, you'll discover a practical action plan that transcends the ebb and flow of financial fortune, equipping you with the tools, knowledge, and confidence necessary to take charge of your financial well-being.

The Money Manual: A Practical Money Guide to Help You Succeed On Your Financial Journey by Tonya B. Rapley

Becoming a savvy money manager doesn't necessitate prestigious degrees or fancy certifications. What you truly need is access to information tailored for your benefit, enabling you to take decisive action. Enter The Money Manual, a resource designed to help you cut through the bewildering financial clutter that often leads to feelings of overwhelm and anxiety.

Best Finance Books for Saving Money

Here are some of our favorite books when you need to save money ASAP.

The 30-Day Money Cleanse by Ashley Feinstein Gerstley

 

A cleanse for your money? Yes, except you won't feel deprived. Ashley, aka "The Fiscal Femme", will show you how to put together a spending plan that fits with your lifestyle and sets you up to reach your money goals.

She also covers the money mindset which makes it easy to actually stick with the plans you make. That's key. And it works. The average participant saves $950 during the 30-day program. Also, this book is unique in that it's a beautifully designed and super approachable workbook—yes, please!

Spend Well, Live Rich: How to Get What You Want With the Money You Have by Michelle Singletary

Previously published as 7 Money Mantras for a Richer Live, this book is a classic.

Her first mantra? "If it's on your ass, it's not an asset." So you see, now, why we love this book. It's filled with no-nonsense real talk, breaking down the anxiety that comes with the complexity of our finances by simplifying the way we think about and spend the money that we have. You have enough—and you can do better.

Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry

You're an adult, so you definitely don't live paycheck to paycheck anymore, right? ...Right... Guess what? 78 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, according to a recent study.

So if you are, you're not alone. But this book can help you grow into the 24 percent of Americans who aren't. Doesn't that sound better? It starts with reflecting on your relationship with money—and how you think about it. Lowry walks you through real-life situations like managing student loans and splitting bills at dinner (because Venmo is sometimes just not the business.) 

Best Finance Books For Investing

One of the best ways to make more money is through investing. Learn how to get started with some of these books!

Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence Through Shares and Stocks by Simran Kaur 

Introducing your comprehensive roadmap to financial independence, brought to you by the creator of the top-ranked investing education podcast, Girls That Invest.

Have you ever pondered over the intricacies of the stock market but hesitated to seek answers to those daunting questions? If so, you've stumbled upon the perfect resource! In this guide to investing in stocks, Simran Kaur imparts the fundamental principles that can be universally applied to any market spanning the globe.

Money, after all, grants us freedom: the freedom to make choices, the freedom to navigate life's challenges, and the freedom to thrive and flourish. This book extends a warm invitation, beckoning you to join the vibrant community of women dedicated to constructing a more secure financial future.

Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money by Bola Sokunbi

Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money is the leading guide for women who seek to learn the basic foundations of personal investing.

In a no-nonsense and straightforward style, this audiobook teaches listeners: exactly how investing works and what you should be doing, no fancy finance degree required; how to leverage investing to build long-term wealth even on a modest salary; the key pitfalls to avoid in order to become a successful investor; how to build a nest egg and invest in your future; and insights from real-world success stories from other "clever girl investors".

Best Finance Books for Asking For a Raise

Negotiating a job offer, asking for a raise, or even understanding your compensation in general is important to your financial wellness.

Power Moves by Lauren McGoodwin

One of the biggest Power Moves you can make is with your money. Knowing your worth, asking for it, and ensuring you are compensated fairly are all covered in Career Contessa founder, Lauren McGoodwin's book.

Get practical advice, examples of scripts, and stories from real women who have navigated their salary and work expectations. 

Power Moves also provides tips for discussing money with your coworkers, determining your market rate, and more!

Own It: The Power of Women at Work by Salli Krawcheck

According to Krawcheck, the path to success for professional women is no longer about attempting to fit into the mold of a male-dominated game. It's no longer about conforming to society's expectations of how powerful individuals should behave. Instead, the key lies in embracing and investing in our inherent strengths as women, wearing them proudly and unapologetically in our professional lives.

In doing so, she believes that we unlock a new kind of power that propels us forward in our careers through more authentic means. This power allows us to initiate bold and necessary conversations in the workplace.

It empowers us to forge unconventional career trajectories, even if it means leaving companies that fail to recognize our true value, and perhaps even starting our own ventures. Most importantly, it grants us the power to leverage our economic influence for the betterment of our lives and the world at large.

Fair Pay: How to Get a Raise, Close the Wage Gap, and Build Stronger Businesses by David Buckmaster

Even though the author is male, we had to add this one to the list because it provides a thorough understanding of compensation and raises!

Read an expert take on the crisis of income inequality, addressing the problems with our current compensation model, demystifying pay practices, and providing practical information employees can use when negotiating their salaries and discussing how we can close the gender and racial pay gap.