What books have made the greatest impact on your financial life?

[JessicaBella0187]

What books have made the greatest impact on your financial and/or investing life?

[Keshet]

The Total Money Makeover (Dave Ramsey)

Personal Finance for Dummies (Erik Tyson)

[james.hendrickson]

The Millionaire Next Door is a classic.

I also liked Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad. Kiyosaki has his share of limitations, but that particular book is good for inspiration, if not learning the nuts and bolts of wealth building.

[TexasHusker]

The Bible.

[rob62521]

Besides the Bible, there are a couple that made me rethink things. One is "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." I read it for the first time at 16 -- it was in my aunt's bookshelf and when she died I was given her books. I realized a couple of things by reading it -- I was poor, and I wanted to get an education and improve things like Francie did in the book.

I've read Dave Ramsey's Money Makeover as well as Suze Orman's finance books. I liked them all, but realize that every financial guru has their own take on things just like I do.

[rennigade]

None...never ready a financial book.

I visit/read plenty of financial forums though.

[Gailete]

Besides the Bible, there are a couple that made me rethink things. One is "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn." I read it for the first time at 16 -- it was in my aunt's bookshelf and when she died I was given her books. I realized a couple of things by reading it -- I was poor, and I wanted to get an education and improve things like Francie did in the book.

Funny on the 4th we were talking about that book. I've read it several times and my son read it a few years ago. It can make an impact, and most of of us have never lived a life like those people. A unique book to think of about finances, but it certainly is about finances!

[Gailete]

I have read many over the years, anything for any hint on how to make more or stretch what we had. But probably the one that had the most impact was Charles Long, How To Survive Without a Salary. Also a book I was given in college when they had the author come and talk with the female students and we all got a copy. Living on Less and Liking it More.

As a note: I went to a Christian College where most of the students were preparing to become preachers, preacher's wives and missionaries, etc. Not a business school where folks would be thinking they would be making big bucks over the years, but people that would be getting at times barely the minimum to maintain them, so a very important thing was learning how to stretch every penny, and being happy with what you have.

[disneysteve]

The Tightwad Gazette which actually started as a monthly newsletter.

Also The Wealthy Barber and The Millionaire Next Door.

[scfr]

"Making The Most of Your Money" by Jane Bryant Quinn

[corn18]

The Millionaire Next Door changed everything for us. Got us to control spending and save a boatload.

The Bogleheads Guide to Investing (and the Boglehead wiki / forums) taught us how to invest our money.

[bjl584]

Probably Rich Dad, Poor Dad.

It doesn't get too specific on anything, but it does make you look at things from a totally different perspective.

[Gailete]

One of the things that I have found is I have bought at full price some books on finances, but have found plenty at book sales and yard sales. Such as the Tightwad Gazette, etc. I had them on a bookshelf and my younger son would pull them down and read them. They were there for the reading. Older boy never touched them, younger boy did. The made a great impact on him as he has been self-supporting for years now. This past week he did something that apparently he has wanted to do for a while to help pay back for all the times he would be included in family get togethers and never was asked to contribute food or whatever. Now that he is in his bigger apartment, he had over 20 family members over for the 4th from his dad's side of the family. He bought and paid for all the food himself! He must have been saving and setting aside money to do this for months. But then other than a car payment he has no credit card or loan debts. He doesn't own a credit card and does try to follow the Dave Ramsey method. But he also sticks his nose into any finance book he can to gather any crumbs he may have missed. Many of those finance books he was reading when still in HS. He turns 35 this summer.

All that to say, if you have kids and they maybe don't like listening to you on certain topics, having some good books freely available might reach them that lecturing can't.

[snafu]

I can't believe I'm saying this but the journey taken following 'The Life-Changing*Magic of Tidying Up,' resulted in a huge change in buying decisions.

The Automatic Millionaire, Smart Couples Finish Rich [Bach]

[disneysteve]

I can't believe I'm saying this but the journey taken following 'The Life-Changing*Magic of Tidying Up,' resulted in a huge change in buying decisions.

A penny saved is a penny earned.

I think you're absolutely right. Anything that changes your mindset about consumerism is going to help improve your personal finances. Spending less is just as good if not better than earning more. Plus when you buy less stuff, you don't need to upgrade to the bigger house. You don't need to buy more storage containers and shelving units. You don't need to rent a storage locker to keep stuff that you didn't need in the first place.

Years ago, we were talking about having a shed built in the backyard because the basement and garage were overflowing with stuff. I kept procrastinating because I didn't want to spend the money. Finally, we got serious about the clutter and before we knew it, we no longer needed a shed because we had gotten rid of so much junk.