Favorite Personal Finance Books....

[TexasOaks]

Did a search and didn't see anybody start a book thread so here we go....

I'll start with a few:

The Successful Investor Today by Larry E. Swedroe
Rational Investing in Irrational Times by Larry E. Swedroe
Strategic Index Investing by Richard D,. Romey
Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
The Secrets to Power Negotiating by Roger Dawson
The Option Playbook by Tradeking

[rstlne]

I read The Lies About Money by Ric Edelman recently. I don't agree with the man on everything but it seems like as good a place to start as any because of the quiz and model portfolios he provided in the book and (by reference) on his website.

Aside from that, I haven't read many personal finance books lately because most of my reading has been in macroeconomics and specialized investment topics. However, I can recommend the following classics:

Andrew Tobias: The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need
Burton Malkiel: A Random Walk Down Wall Street
John C. Bogle: Common Sense on Mutual Funds

I also mentioned Lee Eisenberg's The Number somewhere in these forums. That's intended for those who're thinking ahead to retirement.

[Ginger]

Young Fabulous and Broke

Automatic Millionaire

Millionaire Next Door

How To Think Like a Millionaire

[Tightwad]

I really like 'Millionaire Next Door' and the 'Tightwad Gazette' books. Not exactly 'financial', but still very relevant to financial success.

[Megan]

Originally Posted by Ginger

Young Fabulous and Broke

I also like Suze Orman's Young, Fabulous, and Broke. I was pretty clueless about personal finance and how things like 401(k)s and IRAs and mortgages really worked. I know the basics, but I wanted to know more, and this book was a great starting point. It's a great gift for a graduating college student, though they may not realize it at the time.

[pastorjezer]

I like Dave Ramsey's Financial Peace, because it provides practical guidance for the individual that needs a strong financial foundation. Once that foundation is set, then you can move on to the higher complexities of personal finance. People love to read about investing and they don't even have an emergency fund (a savings account with three months worth of income). How many people do you know have achieved this? Without an emergency fund your living paycheck to paycheck like 70% of America.

[khorrell]

Great suggestions so far...I love Suzi Orman, too!

I also really like Mary Hunt's Debt-Proof Living and Debt-Proof Your Marriage. I reread them occasionally to remind myself to keep my finances under control. Unfortunately, I haven't found her other books to be useful.

Also, I very much enjoy Die Broke by Stephen Pollan and Mark Levin.

Great thread!

[Rebecca]

Fabulous and Broke really hit home for me, since I'm one of those drowing in student debt. I have to say, however, since I've jumped on the Dave Ramsey bandwagon, when I re-read YFB I was kind of queasy when I saw how much Suzi advocates credit card use (albeit responsible use). Now that I'm in debt from irresponsible use, I kind of cringe whenever someone says "credit card" let alone recommends using one.

[kav122]

gosh, I like Total Money Makeover, by Dave Ramsey, the Tightwad Gazette by Amy Dacyczyn, the Cheap Bastards Guide to Good House and Home by Josh Garskof. I have also read some really good "self help books" that can relate to personal finance, but these three are kind of my bibles for how I do my finances.

[jdp]

As much as it pains me to admit it - Suze Orman anything. She annoys me to no end but is extremely helpful.