10 Best Personal Finance Books To Read in 2023

10 Best Personal Finance Books To Read In 2023
Editor's Best Personal Finance Books

It’s not easy to go online and find the personal financial information you need to make the right money choices. There’s so much information that choosing what’s suitable for you is like finding a needle in a haystack.

That means there’s still ample reason to open an ebook, audiobook, paperback, or hardcover book.

So sit down or plug in. No matter where you are on your financial journey, we bet you’ll find a book on this merit-based list that can help you take your next financial step forward.

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“The One-Page Financial Plan” by Carl Richards

#1 Book for Setting Financial Priorities

Certified Financial Planner™ Carl Richards, proprietor of Behavior Gap, is a writer, podcaster, and financial planning coach who is also a sketch artist skilled at illustrating financial concepts in a few carefully placed lines.

His sketches serve as source material for “The One-Page Financial Plan,” which distills his thinking down to the basics.

Why We Love “The One-Page Financial Plan”

Carl understands that most people who struggle with money also struggle with information overload when it comes to financial self-help.

The book focuses on helping readers understand their money motivations and figure out what’s important.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2015
  • Print length: 224 pages
  • Available as: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Perfect Credit” by Lynnette Khalfani-Cox

#1 Book for Building Credit Scores

Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach®, is a personal finance whirlwind who has published 15 money-management books between speaking engagements, TV appearances, and coaching sessions.

From credit to debt, saving, and budgeting, Lynnette covers all the financial bases. “Perfect Credit” is her step-by-step guide to overcoming credit setbacks and building a good score.

Why We Love “Perfect Credit”

The book explains the intricacies of the credit score system, which most Americans need to know more about.

It’s also great at providing credit-building advice that works for consumers at all financial stages.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2017
  • Print length: 222 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

#1 Book for Financial Sustainability

The first edition of “Your Money or Your Life” by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez entered the market in the 1990s. A new edition came out in 2008 to update the story.

Vicki is a frequent speaker and radio and television guest. She matches her commitment to financial independence with an equal commitment to global sustainability.

Why We Love “Your Money or Your Life”

Vicki and Joe successfully connect people’s relationship with money to their connection to family, community, and the planet.

They argue that changing our mindset about consumption is the key to learning to live with less.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2008
  • Print length: 368 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Get Good with Money” by Tiffany Aliche

#1 Book for Budgeting

Tiffany Aliche is The Budgetnista, so you know you’re getting good advice about organizing your finances.

Tiffany is a speaker, podcaster, and media personality. She’s helped millions save, manage, and pay down their debts through her Live Richer Movement.

Why We Love “Get Good with Money”

Tiffany built a 10-step process for financial security after a recession and some money missteps set her back financially. It’s practical advice based on personal experience.

Because her advice is rooted in practical experience, her book achieves an authenticity that readers at all financial stages readily respond to.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2021
  • Print length: 368 pages
  • Available as: Hardcover, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Financial Freedom” by Grant Sabatier

#1 Book for Financial Independence

For years, Grant Sabatier was an office drone living under fluorescent light. Until he got fired.

That lit a fire in his soul to take responsibility for his financial freedom.

Within five years, he was a millionaire who no longer needed the rat race to stay alive.

Why We Love “Financial Freedom”

This book doesn’t mince words when it comes to the sacrifices Grant made to pinch pennies and devote his spare time to increasing his income.

His dramatic take on achieving financial independence inspires us to try to do the same.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2020
  • Print length: 368
  • Available as: Hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Broke Millennial” by Erin Lowry

#1 Book for Millennials

Erin Lowry knows what’s up when it comes to being smart with her money and to making productive personal financial choices.

As the Broke Millennial, she frequently appears in the media to explain the financial challenges of her generation.

Why We Love “Broke Millennial”

At times, “Broke Millennial” is hilarious; at other times, readers will feel deep sympathy for the financial challenges of younger Americans.

Because the book speaks the language of millennials, it’s tailor-made for the people of a certain age it’s trying to reach.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2017
  • Print length: 288 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“The Financial Diet” by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage

#1 Book for Overspenders

Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage are the proprietors of The Financial Diet, a website devoted to women talking with women about money.

Everything Chelsea and Lauren do is rooted in understanding the unique financial challenges of being female in America, from videos to podcasts, articles, and media appearances.

Why We Love “The Financial Diet”

This is a book for everyone, not just for women. We appreciate that it gets down to the nitty-gritty about how everything people do impacts their financial success.

That said, the book speaks the language and addresses the financial concerns of modern women in a way that applies to almost everyone.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2018
  • Print length: 208 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” by Cary Siegel

#1 Book for Recent College Grads

Cary Siegel wrote “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” after a successful and lucrative business career.

His original motivation was to pass his wisdom on to his sons, but the book took hold and has become a classic. Cary also frequently appears on podcasts and other media outlets.

Why We Love “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?”

This is a book written with love and designed to make an impression. It’s very well organized and filled with practical advice.

It truly is a primer for getting started on the right financial foot and building from there.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2013
  • Print length: 188 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“How to Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any” by Erik Wecks

#1 Book for Financially Struggling Households

Erik Wecks is a novelist and screenwriter who has also published one of the most popular financial books on the market.

“How to Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any” is for folks who may not know how to make ends meet.

The book helps readers understand how to overcome modern economic challenges and improve their finances.

Why We Love “How to Manage Your Money When You Don’t Have Any”

This isn’t a story about someone who made all the right moves and retired early to live a life of leisure.

Instead, it’s a book about common struggles, written in everyday language, offering practical solutions to problems real people face.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2012
  • Print length: 190 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

“Finance for the People” by Paco de Leon

#1 Book for Changing Money Habits

At The Hell Yeah Group, Paco de Leon is all about keeping it real. She does that through newsletters, articles, podcasts, financial coaching, and speaking.

She’s also the author of “Finance for the People,” which takes a broad view of the financial world and personal money mindsets.

Why We Love “Finance for the People”

Although Paco considers the system somewhat rigged against everyday people, she remains optimistic that everyone can improve their finances.

The book makes understanding financial beliefs and challenges easy and recommends practical steps for tapping into their personal power.

Key Stats

  • Year published: 2022
  • Print length: 384 pages
  • Available as: Paperback, ebook, audiobook
  • Where to buy: Amazon / Barnes & Noble

Sitting down with a good book is a treat in today’s world, especially when reading can lead to positive financial choices and lasting wealth. If you’re unsure of what steps to take to move forward financially, putting your trust in an expert is a great way to go. Best wishes for a productive financial journey!