The 4 Books That Changed My Finances

I have in my book stash over 100 books on personal finance and personal growth. There is a handful of books that I return to time and time again to get a refresher or for inspiration. If I could pick just three books that have helped me go from money moron to where I am today, these three are it.

1. Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America’s Money-Saving Expert

Clark Howard is known as America’s cheapskate – but in a good way. He really knows his stuff and has been a consumer advocate for twenty-five years.

My life would look extraordinarily different if I had not stumbled upon the Clark Howard show in my mid–20’s. I gobbled up his words every afternoon at work when I listened to his radio show. I’ve saved tens-of-thousands of dollars by listening to his advice over the years.

I had the pleasure of being interviewed for one of Clark’s TV shows where they did a segment about me being a successful entrepreneur.

Get Clark Smart: The Ultimate Guide to Getting Rich From America’s Money-Saving Expert is very dated so I don’t recommend you purchase it.

Clark does have a bunch of other book’s he’s published. Check Clark out on Amazon and see if you can find one that fits your needs.

Clark Howard’s Living Large for the Long Haul is a more recent publication which contains a lot of good information and real-life stories.

2. The Millionaire Next Door

Contrary to what pop culture has us believe millionaires don’t all wear Rolex watches, drive BWMs, and live in mansions.

What The Millionaire Next Door reveals is the guy sitting at the stoplight next to you in the beat-up pickup truck is more likely to be the one with a million dollars than the guy in the Mercedes.

It’s a fascinating read not only into the lives of real millionaires – but how they got there. You’ll be surprised to learn:
– most millionaires are first-generation millionaires (they didn’t inherit any money)
– they live in modest homes
– they drive used cars (and pay cash for them)
– they don’t wear expensive clothes

Be warned there are a lot of statistics in this book. I found myself glazing over most of the raw data. The stories and information are inspiring though. This book will make you rethink what it takes to become a millionaire.

3. How to Win Friends & Influence People

Would you believe Dale Carnegie wrote How to Win Friends & Influence People in 1937?

Today it’s still one of the top-selling books for business and personal success. I read this book every couple of years as a refresher.

How to Win Friends & Influence People is the one book you need to excel in all areas of life. The book includes time-tested truths about building relationships. It’s a must read.

It changed my life – Warren Buffet

While technically not a book about personal finance, your business network, interactions, and how you treat people are critical to the growth of your income over your career. And if you can increase your income, you improve your personal finances.

4. The 4-Hour Workweek

Tim Ferriss has one of the most popular business podcasts going.

His book The 4-Hour Workweek is a bestseller, and a must read for anyone wanting to leave the 9–5 grind. If you have the entrepreneurial spirit, this book will get you going in the right direction and inspire you to take action.

Honorable Mention

Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover has changed the lives of millions of people.  It’s one of the best books written on getting out of debt.  While I don’t subscribe to his investment advice, his advice for tackling debt is solid.

I didn’t pick up this book until 2013 – long after I was financially secure.  Therefore, this book wasn’t a factor in my financial turnaround.  But it would be a disservice to not mention the Total Money Makeover in a best-of list for personal finance.

Check out the books in that list. You might find one that changes your life.