Ready to learn more about personal finance and managing your money? Most of the experts on my list give similar advice in different flavors with different focuses, but their general guidance is the same.

Know what you spend, spend less than you earn, pay off high interest debt, build an emergency fund and invest for your future.

Find the expert with the voice that resonates with you to help you learn, take action and change your financial life.

Here are my personal favorites, this is by no means a comprehensive list of ALL resources, just what I’ve found to be helpful over the years.

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey.

Dave Ramsey is a well known financial expert with a radio show, podcast and many books.

• Book walks through his financial Baby Steps:
  • Step 1: $1000 starter emergency fund.
  • Step 2: Pay off all debt, everything but the house, using the debt snowball method
  • Step 3: Build a 3-6 month fully funded emergency fund
  • Step 4: Save 15% of household income for retirment
  • Step 5: Save for children’s college (if applicable)
  • Step 6: Pay off the house
  • Step 7: Build wealth and give generously
• His financial advice is simple and approachable and what inspired me to payoff all my debt in my 20s.
• He is not for everyone. There are lots of bible references and I am not a fan of his business practices (firing unwed pregnant mothers?! WTF).
• His style is to shame and yell which apparently worked for me (still working that one out in therapy).
• My approach to Dave: take what resonates with you and leave the rest.

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley.

Research-based book that explores the habits and characteristics of America’s millionaires including teachers, firemen, janitors, and other “average” American’s.

• Debunks common myths about wealth and highlight that many millionaires live modest lifestyles.
• Practical advice on how to adopt these millionaire habits to achieve financial independence.
• Taught me that anyone can build wealth if you set your lifestyle up accordingly, stay out of debt and save as much as you can.

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

Emphasizes the importance of aligning your spending with your values, finding joy in less consumption, and achieving financial freedom to live a more purposeful life.

• One of the original FIRE movement books.
• Contains exercise that walk you through how you spend your time and your money and how to make changes that align with your values.
• Taught me that your life becomes what you focus on, this is true of both your money and your time so make sure you are spending both in areas that are important to you.

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi.

Practical, no-nonsense guide to personal finance aimed at young adults.

• Combines financial advice with a straightforward, often humorous tone to make financial concepts accessible and actionable.
• Structured around a six-week program designed to help readers take control of their finances and build wealth.
• Geared towards helping readers lead a “rich life,” defined individually by personal values and goals rather than just accumulating wealth.
• He preaches turning up your spending in areas that are important to you and dialing back your spending everywhere else.
• Perfect for people who hate the idea of restrictive budgeting.

Financial Feminist by Tori Dunlap.

The anti-Dave Ramsey approach to personal finance. Her tagline is “Fight the Patriarchy. Get Rich.”

• Aims to empower women to take control of their finances and achieve financial independence.
• Combines practical financial advice with a strong focus on gender equality and social justice.
• Filled with real-life stories, actionable steps, and empowering messages to help women take control of their financial futures

Other books by experts I admire but I have not yet read:

Get Good with Money: Ten Simple Steps to Becoming Financially Whole by Tiffany Aliche aka The Bugetnista

Rich AF: The Winning Money Mindset That Will Change Your Life by Vivian Tu aka Your Rich BFF

Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management by Joel Saul-Sehy, host of one of my favorite personal finance podcasts – Stacking Benjamins

The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins, one of the “fathers” of the FIRE movement, along with Vicki Robin.