Kia Ora Whanau! Our most recent podcast talked about 8 finance books that you should read to learn more about personal finance and how you can make your money work for you. If you prefer a written format then this is the post for you.
I absolutely love reading and think that it's a great way to learn more about the world around us. Finance books are what got me in to learning about finance and so I'm a true advocate about reading and how this will enable you to access new schools of thought, theories, and different ideas from the ones surrounded by you.
Here are my 8 favourite finance books:
Your Money or Your Life.
I only started reading this book this year but I absolutely loved it. It was a quick and easy guide for beginner's to get started. You can purchase the book here: https://amzn.to/3u8ta5u ( Disclaimer: I receive a commission if you purchase the book through this link).
Page 3 has this quote which rings true for me and other people I've talked to about this:
Even though some people really like their jobs, very few of us can say with honesty that our work lives are perfect.
The chapter goes on to discuss the idea that 'We aren't making a living, We are making a Dying'.
For so many working people, however, from people who love their work to those who barely tolerate their jobs, there seems to be no real choice between their money and their lives. What they do for money dominates their waking hours, and life is what can be fit in to the scant remaining time.
My response to this is that YES! YES! YES! Full time work, 9:00am - 5:00pm leaves you the night and 2 days a week for you. And, that's if you're not exhausted from the 9-5. Whilst working full time in the summer, I found exactly this. You have no time to go to the bank because you are at work. The 2 days off each week - the bank is closed. It's crazy because I spent 4 odd months working full time and seeing how adults operate, some for 40 odd years... I had to be ultra organized just to make sure my washing was being done, floor was being vacuumed. 'Is this life?' I often thought... Like is this what I'm destined for? Being busy 24/7, working 9-5, tired 5-9?
It's crazy to think that this lifestyle is normalized worldwide. But, it's obvious it isn't working for so many people. Why? Just take a minute and google 'health problems on the rise' 'mental health problems killing adults'... Monday mornings or Sunday nights is the most common time for heart attacks to occur due to the stress of the working week starting, again. September 1 has the highest rate of suicides in Asia as this is when their exam results come out. People are literally dying because of the social norms which we feel obliged to obey. Aaaaand, what do we have to show for it? For all this work? For busting our ass at these jobs we so desperately need? A house? Most times not, many 9-5 workers can't even afford to purchase their own home. They're busting their ass at work and can't even buy a home to call their own. But hey, at least we have the weekend right!! 2 days a week which we can live it up, sleep in, chill, finally get to the washing that's been sitting around... No!! No!! No!! No! - A thousand times over. I'm not keen for that. I want more for this life, for my kids, for my whanau, for us, for people. We weren't put on this earth to just hustle. We weren't put here to go to school for 13 years, uni for 3 more, then work for 40 years until you retire at 65. Add some kids in, a marriage that may or may not fail. Travel once a year, visit family around the same frequency... Then, live off your pension and kiwi saver for the last 20 odd years before you 'die peacefully at home'. Why can't we change the social norms and start LIVING? Your Money or Your Life talks exactly about this. YMOYL (Your Money or Your Life) is NOT:
a get rich quick scheme. good things take time.
A pyramid scheme. This book isn't selling you a 'Become a millionaire in just 6 weeks' course.
A scam.
It is:
A book to get those cogs turning. Get you thinking about what shit means.
I have the book. I love it. Buy yours here:
She's On the Money
This book is cool because it's written by Victoria Devine who is an Australian.
The Millionaire Next Door
This book is a classic if you want to get started with your finance journey. I break down many of the concepts on my blog including 'Economic Outpatient Care' and 'You aren't what you drive'.
The 4 Hour Work Week
The 4 Hour Work Week is a rather large book but it's easy going nature will allow you to finish the book in just a few days. Check it out here.
Cashflow Quadrant
I love this book because it breaks down different ways to build an income in an easy to read way!
Rich Dad's Success Stories
If you've been following me for a long time, you'll know that I love all of Robert's books. This one is awesome because it shares individual stories which you may be able to relate to.
Rich Dad Poor Dad
Rich dad poor dad is an absolute classic for anyone who wants to learn about personal finance.
The Barefoot Investor
I had so many recommendations to purchase the barefoot investor and it did not fail to impress. Make sure to listen to our podcast here to find out about why we love these books.
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