I always thought it was strange that we grow up learning about science, biology, literature, and math in school but are taught almost nothing about saving or making money.
Yet, making and managing money is arguably the most crucial life skill as an adult.
It’s no wonder that so many of us end up mismanaging our money and undermining our earning potential.
Fortunately, it’s never too late to learn new skills and level up your finances. You can take your financial education into your own hands just by turning to your local bookstore.
You will find no shortage of books claiming to help you create a life of financial freedom, but some are more helpful than others. If you need help choosing one, start with these eight best books on how to make money.
A lot of the time, when we struggle with money, it’s because we don’t have a great relationship with it. We know we need it, but idioms like “money can’t buy happiness” lead us to feel like actually wanting money is taboo.
That’s where Sincero’s book helps you take apart your money misconceptions and helps you realize that wanting to make more money is a good thing. Better still, you are in control of your own income potential.
You Are a Badass at Making Money is an enjoyable read; Sincero’s witty writing style entertains as well as informs. She also encourages you to take action by giving you steps to follow at the end of each chapter.
There’s a reason why The 4-Hour Workweek has sold more than 2.1 million copies in 40 different languages worldwide. This book may be over 10 years old, but it’s still very much relevant in today’s economy.
Ferriss went from an 80-hour workweek making 40k a year to a 4-hour workweek making 40k per month, so he knows his stuff. His book is a step-by-step tutorial for escaping your 9-5 and living your best life now instead of waiting for decades until you retire.
Mindset work is a large part of it, and Ferriss will challenge the way you think to help you move past your misconceptions and find success.
The expanded edition also includes more than 50 tips and case studies from people who have doubled their income and changed their lives with Ferriss’ strategies.
Forbes refers to Ramit Sethi as a “wealth wizard” and with good reason. His book I Will Teach You to Be Rich, originally published in 2009 with a 2nd edition published in 2019, will teach you how to efficiently eliminate your loans, set up high-interest bank accounts, automate your finances, and negotiate raises at work.
This book is the whole package because it teaches you not only how to make more money, but also how to manage and invest it so that you can live the life you want.
The 2nd edition also includes success stories and advice surrounding the psychology of money.
Sethi’s tone is down-to-earth and straightforward, making his books highly accessible for those who would otherwise have difficulty getting through a dry book about finance.
If you’re serious about starting your own business, this book by Female Entrepreneur Association founder, Carrie Green, is practically mandatory reading. She Means Business offers you an actionable blueprint for building a business, including how to determine your vision, find your audience, manage your time, and prime yourself for victory.
Green’s writing style is engaging, encouraging, and guaranteed to pump you up! Better still, it comes with a free workbook, online course, and 28-day challenge that will help you take action toward launching your new business.
Sally Miller is a certified business coach who is heralded as one of the top 100 business authors. She has published no less than 13 books on the subject of starting a home-based business!
Make Money from Home is the first book in the series and offers the foundation for launching your business, including how to find a winning business idea and implement smart workflow systems.
The step-by-step strategy, combined with her vast experience in business, can help you avoid common mistakes and expedite your path to success. You can refer to her later books in the series if you need more information on specific businesses, such as kindle publishing, blogging, life coaching, online courses, and more.
Bola Sokunbi, the founder of the Clever Girl Finance website, wrote this book of the same name to help other women get their finances together. It’s an extremely well-rounded guide to tackling your financial situation from all sides.
The topics include everything from cutting expenses and making the most of your salary, to starting a side hustle and investing in your future.
This is another great option for those who struggle with finance books that are overly technical and dry. Clever Girl Finance is an enjoyable read and written in an authentic voice that’s easy to understand.
It also encourages you to take action by giving you steps to follow at the end of each chapter.
The average adult’s typical path is landing a full-time job and working until retirement while investing in stocks, mutual funds, and 401Ks. But according to MJ DeMarco, this is not a life of freedom but a “slowlane” lifestyle that relies on living most of your life frugally and hoping for the best.
On the other hand, The Millionaire Fastlane teaches you how to take the “fastlane” approach to life, which offers financial freedom long before retirement. Using his CENTS framework, you will learn how to create a thriving business based on his experiences.
Rachel Richards is a former financial advisor who quit her day job at 27 years old and has been earning over $10,000 in passive income every month ever since.
Richards breaks down her passive income streams in her book, Passive Income, Aggressive Retirement, which includes royalty income, portfolio income, rental income, and more. The book also features examples from other experts who achieved financial freedom from passive income, including Hal Elrod, Bobby Hoyt, and David Osborn.
It’s a great read if you are looking for a way to diversify your income streams.
Conclusion
If you’re ready to take control of your income potential, these books are an excellent place to start. Whether you want to make the most of the money you already have, learn how to invest your money wisely, or start a life-changing business, you’ll find the information you need to achieve your financial dreams.
Just remember that even if you’ve read all the best books on how to make money, you still need to implement what you’ve learned!
At the end of the day, making money comes down to taking action, doing the best you can, and learning as you go. These books are merely roadmaps that can make the maze of finance that much easier to navigate.