Managing personal finances is an unavoidable part of life. But we’re not always set up for success in school.

Saving money for retirement, creating emergency funds, and investing are very different topics from secondary school maths, so there’s no wonder many adults feel confused about money.

It’s important not to feel stuck, though! There are endless money management tips and resources available to help you take control of your financial future. We’ve researched the top personal finance books for beginners to help you get started. Consider adding these to your reading list today!

How Can A Personal Finance Guide Help?

Before continuing with the book list, we want to stress the importance of building your personal finance knowledge. Continually improving your financial literacy gives you more confidence to make better money decisions, and it can help you retire with more savings.

Here are some additional benefits of diving into the best personal finance books:

The Top 5 Personal Finance Books For Beginners

Want to explore something new? Add these financial literacy books to your summer reading list.

The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards

The One-Page Financial Plan by Carl Richards strives to help readers become more disciplined without any added stress. As the name suggests, Richards teaches you to plan your financial future on just one page, removing all the confusing details and time-consuming jargon.

This is one to read if you find personal finance a burden. It’ll make the topic much more manageable — ideal for anyone with a busy schedule!

The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

Want to start eliminating debt and retire comfortably? Scott Pape’s The Barefoot Investor could be the read for you.

This personal finance book describes Pape’s experience working on a farm after failing at stock trading. He uses accessible farm metaphors to help readers understand the basic concepts of finance, which is extra helpful if you’re starting your journey from square one.

Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi

If you’re looking for a personal finance book written for women by a woman, Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi is worth reading.

Men shouldn’t completely write this off, though! This book details common financial challenges and their solutions. Sokunbi’s life experience and writing style make for an accessible read, and she empowers readers to start their journey now.

The Financial Diet by Chelsea Fagan

Chelsea Fagan has built an online world around digestible and enjoyable financial tips, and her book The Financial Diet is the best place to start.

This book explains personal finance in a clear and informative format, allowing you to explore the topic at your own pace. Great if you’re looking for a light read or want to take the topic one step at a time.

Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Perhaps one of the most popular financial literacy books around, Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey is jam-packed with actionable tips and tricks to get your finances on track.

The book is written in a no-nonsense tone, which is both motivating and educational. Essentially, Ramsey helps you take accountability for your finances and pushes you to improve them. Nice!

Don’t want to wait for a book to arrive? Skip to the Cash Asap blog for money management tips ASAP.