Personal Finance Book Rec

[BurtsGirl]

I'm looking for a really awesome personal finance/financial planning book.

I don't need a "get out of debt" book but more of a book that is
informative, motivational, non-get-rich-quick, investment info/stategies, financial planning type of book. And I'm not interested in Dave Ramsey. We aren't in debt but I think we could definately use our money a little better and make it work harder for us. A book from a crunchy friendly author would also be nice.

Thanks!

[velochic]

I very highly recommend Eric Tyson's Personal Finance for Dummies. No nonsense, straight-forward, and well respected among arm-chair investors everywhere.

[BurtsGirl]

Thanks, velochic, anyone else have any recommendations?

[xekomaya]

I'm personally a fan of Suze Orman. I've read so much of her stuff I can't remember though which in particular is most suited to what you're looking for. I also really like David Bach - Smart Women Finish Rich is one of his titles that I enjoyed some years ago. Also Jim Cramer is a favorite of mine for investing - Stay Mad for Life might be a good choice.

Hope that helps some.

[chrissy]

i've been meaning to post a thread just like this!

[BurtsGirl]

I've read David Bach's Smart Couples... and LOVED it!

[Jadzia]

David Bach - The Automatic Millionaire. I also liked his Smart Women Finish Rich.
A great starter guide to getting all of your finances in order and getting your savings automated to reach multiple goals (retirement, college, house, etc.). Very motivasting and both are a great read!

The Boglehead's Guide to Investing - a terrific investment guide. Once you get your savings plans in place, this will tell you everything you need to know about low-cost, common sense investing.

[Belleweather]

I like David Bach, but Elizabeth Warren is my absolute personal hero. She's a bankruptcy professor at Harvard and studies middle income America, family budgets and what causes people to go into bankruptcy. She wrote "The Two Income Trap", which is more sociological and "All Your Worth" which is more how-to oriented and is my #1 personal finance book.

I'm wary of Suze Orman. I've heard (from the DVD of "Maxed Out" and other places) that she has a lot of sponsorship deals with various financial companies that makes me a bit wary of her advice.

[msjd123]

I, too, am a fan of both Eric Tyson and Elizabeth Warren. Suze Orman is good if you're a super-early beginner, but I was actually very devoted to Making the Most of Your Money by Jane Bryant Quinn as my primer. My mom gave that to me when I was 18, and it was the only book I needed for years.

[Staceyy]

An awesome book is, Your Complete Guide To Money Happiness by Henry S. Brock. I've read hundreds of financial books over the years but this one stands out as being the most comprehensive and understandable. I've never seen it in a bookstore, I believe I ordered it by mail a few years ago. Brock is a financial planner from Utah. I suspect he may be a Mormon as he stresses self reliance and storing a years worth of food, clothing and fuel. The book is thick and filled with lots of good information. He is very astute. I would assume you could order it online from Amazon or half.com or through your local bookstore. This book is well worth having.

[cdahlgrd]

: I have been looking for books beyond the basics myself. THanks!

[sallyg6]

Just wanted to chime in that I've read the Personal Finance for Dummies (per velochic's recommendation) and it was great, very informative, and less on get out of debt and how to be frugal and more on the other stuff (stocks, mutual funds, insurance, etc).

[BookGoddess]

I do have favorite books but what I like and what may be good for me may not be good for you. Having said that, these are my favorites..

Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach
Smart Couples Finish Rich by David Bach
Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley and William Danko

They are all easy reads with simple and organized concepts.

[carfreemama]

Your Money or Your Life, by Joe Dominguez and Vicki Robin. They introduced me to the idea of converting money into "units of life energy" and somehow this really resonated for me and dh. We haven't followed all their advice; for example, they advocate intesting only in things that are zero-risk; but overall, they really helped us align our money with our values, which was key for us. I only just realized they have a website, www.yourmoneyoryourlife.org and I haven't checked it out. I got their book for $5 from a discount bin at least 10 years ago and haven't even looked at it for a while. Anyone else a fan?

[starling&diesel]

Originally Posted by velochic

I very highly recommend Eric Tyson's Personal Finance for Dummies. No nonsense, straight-forward, and well respected among arm-chair investors everywhere.

And there's one specifically for Canadians, which I take out of the library often. It's great because I really am not hard-wired to numbers or ledgers or anything else remotely financial ... he breaks down the concepts into chewable pieces, and I end up coming away actually understanding.

Another great Canadian one that changed my life is "The Wealthy Barber" by Dave Chilton. I read it when I was 18 years old (Thanks, Stepmom!) and it has saved my bacon more than once. I've followed his advice and am better off for it.

Suze Orman seems like an automaton ... I also don't like her assumption that debt is part of life. And on and on about your FICO score!

I like Ramsey's focus on how financial burdens can strain marriages ... I also like his real life families. His Christian-centric leanings are a little flowery for me, but I like the gist of his message.

And besides books, I have a financial mentor ... an older woman I met in a spirituality circle when I was a teenager. She's been my advisor and confidante. She is as fascinated by wealthy and poverty and how money factors into people's well being as I am. She's been my biggest help in ensuring that I didn't end up like my parents (financially / emotionally bankrupt.) I am so grateful for her. In fact, I think I'll call her right now and tell her! If you have someone in your life like this, hit them up for all their savvy, precious wisdom.