18 Financial Literacy Books You Should Read in 2023

Now is a great time to brush up on your financial literacy with these 18 financial literacy books.

Whether you want to learn more about investing, savings plans, or just want to improve your financial security overall, these 18 popular financial literacy books will help you reach your financial goals, or at the very least, improve your understanding of topics that are not always taught in school or at home.

This list of popular financial literacy books comprises chart-topping hits, best sellers, and books by some of our favorite finance gurus. 

1.  The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards

In this book, Richards explains that bad calls about money aren’t failures. Instead, they’re just what happens when emotional creatures have to make decisions about the future with limited information.

He goes on to explain that he feels it’s important to scrap striving for perfection. Instead, it advises committing to a process of guessing and making adjustments when things go off track.

Great For:

Those who want to gain clarity about the big picture of finance in order to cope with the unexpected. 

2.  The Little Book That (Still) Beats The Market by Joel Greenblatt

In this expanded-upon version of the original book, Greenblatt explained how investors can outperform the popular market averages by simply and systematically applying a formula that seeks out good businesses when they are available at bargain prices.

Great For:

Anyone who wants an anecdote-rich, easy-to-understand investing strategy.

3.  Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Now 25 years old, this book has been updated to ensure that the information aligns with today’s society. Rich Dad Poor Dad is Kiyosaki’s story of growing up with two dads — his real father and the father of his best friend, his rich dad.

It details the ways in which both men shaped his thoughts about money and investing.

Great For:

Those who want to make their current money and financial standing work for them.

4.  The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

The Richest Millennial in Babylon was written by a young professional, and provides 10 tiny habits to help readers get out of debt, build savings, and retire with financial freedom.

Great For:

Anyone who wants a quick read that integrates short stories, step-by-step guides, and illustrations that keep the content engaging.

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

With a refreshingly casual attitude, this is a great financial literacy book to pick up if finances scare you. With information like understanding your relationship with money and managing student loans without having a full-on panic attack, this provides a wealth of insight in an actionable and easily digestible way.

Great For:

Millennials who want simple advice packed with funny stories that hit the nail on the head by sharing real world experiences we’ve all found ourselves in along with useful information on how to move forward from these situations.

6.  Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi

Check out this financial literacy book for guidance on ditching debt, saving money, and building real wealth.

Sokunbi, the force behind the hugely popular Clever Girl Finance website, draws on her personal money mistakes and financial redemption to educate and empower a new generation of women on their journey to financial freedom.

Great For:

Women looking to learn real-world stories and advice from other “clever girls”.

7.  Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche

Written by Tiffany Aliche who was a successful preschool teacher with a healthy nest egg when a recession. What’s more? Bad advice from a shady advisor put her out of a job and into a huge financial hole.

So she began to chart the path to her own financial rescue. The outline of her ten-step formula for attaining both financial security and peace of mind began to take shape. That was the framework for this financial literacy book,

Great For:

Anyone who wants to cultivate good financial habits.

8.  The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

This book focuses on the concept of value investing. Value investing is a long-term investment strategy that involves buying stocks that are undervalued by the market and holding onto them until they reach their full potential.

Great For:

Anyone looking to learn more about this approach to investing (value investing).

9.  Stop Acting Rich and Start Living Like a Millionaire by Thomas J. Stanley

This book explains the author’s thoughts about how the less affluent have fallen into the elite luxury brand trap that keeps them from acquiring wealth and details how to get out of it by emulating the working rich as opposed to the super elite.

Great For:

Those looking for a defensive strategy for tough times.

10. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

Personal finance expert Ramit Sethi has been called a “wealth wizard” by Forbes and the “new guru on the block” by Fortune. Now he’s updated and expanded his modern money classic for a new age, delivering a simple, powerful, no-BS 6-week program that just works.

Great For:

Those looking for a six-week program to help you set up finances will adore this financial fix

11. The Basics of Bitcoins and Blockchains: An Introduction to Cryptocurrencies and the Technology that Powers Them by Antony Lewis

In addition to the money advice we’ve all grown up hearing, there’s a world of cryptocurrency to learn about!

This book provides a clear guide to this new currency and the revolutionary technology that powers it.

Great For:

Those looking to get a better understanding of cryptocurrency and how it all works will love this introductory book.

12. The Psychology of Money: Timeless Lessons on Wealth, Greed, and Happiness by Morgan Housel

The concept of this book is amazing because it talks about the reality of making financial decisions. It explores how people often make these decisions at the dinner table, or in a meeting room.

These are places where personal history, your own unique view of the world, ego, pride, marketing, and odd incentives are scrambled together.

Money is typically taught as a math-based field, where data and formulas tell us exactly what to do. The only problem? Most people don’t use that structure to make financial decisions.

Great For:

Anyone looking to learn more about human behavior surrounding money and how it affects financial choices.

13. Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez

This book has been around for over 15 years. It has been recognized as one of the top financial literacy books around.

This updated edition claims to ensure that its time-tested wisdom applies to people of all ages.

It covers modern topics like investing in index funds, managing revenue streams like side hustles and freelancing, and tracking your finances online. It even tackles the task of having difficult conversations about money.

Great For:

Those looking for a step-by-step program to learn to live more deliberately and meaningfully will love this book.

14. Student Loan Solution: 5 Steps to Take Control of your Student Loans and Financial Life by David Carlson

According to US census data, over 17% of Americans (45 million) have student loan debt. Needless to say, this book is very relevant. It explains what student loan borrowers should be focusing on. He provides a 5-step approach to help you understand your loans, your options, and how to improve your greater financial life. The best part? You can do this all while paying down your student loan debt.

Great For:

Anyone looking for tools to start your student loan repayments with a bang.

15. The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan

The Financial Diet is the self-proclaimed personal finance book for people who don’t care about personal finance. Are you in need of an overspending detox? Are you buried under student debt? Are you just trying to figure out how to live on an entry-level salary? Whatever you need, The Financial Diet gives you tools to make a budget, understand investments, and deal with your credit.

Great For:

Those looking for a personal finance guide written in an approachable and helpful tone.

16. Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties by Beth Kobliner

This New York Times bestseller guides millennials and Gen Z through the world of personal finance. It was so popular that it’s been completely revised and updated in the fourth edition of this book!

Great For:

Those just starting out who are looking to learn how to decrease their debt, avoid common money mistakes, and navigate the world of personal finance in today’s ever-changing landscape.

17. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By by Cary Siegel

Is there anything that you resonate with more than the concept of “why didn’t they teach me this in school?”

This book hits on all the concepts we missed through the gaping holes in our education system.

It was initially developed by the author to pass on to his five children as they entered adulthood. Summed up as quick and easily digestible, this book is beneficial for anyone at any age.

Great For:

This book is great for those interested in an easily digestible read that focuses more on the qualitative side than the quantitative side of personal money management.

18. Financial Feminist: Overcome the Patriarchy’s Bullsh*t to Master Your Money and Build a Life You Love by Tori Dunlap

You might recognize Tori Dunlap as the social media star behind Her First $100K. This book covers everything from managing debt to investing and voting with your dollars.

It’s a great read for those who want a financial book with a feminist focus.

Great For:

This book is great for women looking for a shame- and judgment-free approach to paying off debt. It helps readers learn how to spend mindfully. It also discusses how to save money without monk-like deprivation, and investing to spend your retirementTulum.

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If you’re looking at this list of financial literacy books and feel like you still need some additional support, check out our list of 26 personal finance apps to help you make managing your finances more enjoyable!