Financial literacy is one of the most important skills you can develop to feel empowered and take control of your future. Whether you’re looking to build a budget, save for big goals, or understand the basics of investing, financial education is the key to success. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of accessible and inspiring resources to help you on your personal finance journey. We’ve rounded up 10 highly recommended books that cover everything from budgeting strategies to achieving financial independence. Each one offers practical advice, relatable stories, and actionable steps to put you on the path to financial confidence.

Here’s your reading list to improve your money management skills and set yourself up for financial success:

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

This worldwide bestseller contrasts the financial advice of two father figures in Kiyosaki’s life. He highlights the differences between working for money (earning a paycheck) and making money work for you (investing). While it has a broader focus than just budgeting, it’s an eye-opening introduction to financial literacy.

Key takeaway: Develop a richer understanding of assets, liabilities, and the mindset needed for lasting wealth accumulation.

2. Common Cents: A Budget Workbook - The Totally Approachable, Not-Scary Guides by Meleah Bowles and Elise Williams Rikard

Budgeting can seem intimidating, but Common Cents makes it approachable, fun, and entirely doable. This workbook provides guided exercises and templates to help you create a budget that actually works for your life. Instead of being purely about numbers, the book blends practical advice with emotional insights to help you understand how your money habits connect with your goals.

Key takeaway: Learn to take control of your finances through interactive exercises that simplify the budgeting process and make it feel personalized and empowering.

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

A true game-changer, Your Money or Your Life teaches you how to rethink your relationship with money and align it with your values. This book doesn’t just focus on budgeting; it gets to the heart of what financial well-being means. It provides tools to track spending, assess your financial situation, and create a life where money supports your happiness.

Key takeaway: Redefine “enough” in your life by focusing on intentional spending and achieving financial freedom through mindful living.

4. Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By and Get Your Financial Life Together by Erin Lowry

If you’ve ever felt like personal finance books are too dry or just don’t apply to your life, Broke Millennial is for you. Erin Lowry writes with a witty, millennial-friendly voice to help new grads and young professionals feel capable of managing their money. She covers everything from paying off student loans to budgeting on entry-level incomes.

Key takeaway: Stop winging it with your money and learn step-by-step strategies to gain control of your financial life, with plenty of humor thrown in along the way.

5. The Barefoot Investor by Scott Pape

Written by Australian finance expert Scott Pape, The Barefoot Investor offers simple, no-fluff advice for turning your finances around. It’s split into weeks, with step-by-step actions you can immediately implement to reduce debt, grow savings, and protect yourself financially.

Key takeaway: A practical and actionable guide that simplifies budgeting and savings into manageable, bite-sized steps.

6. The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover is a classic, no-nonsense guide to getting your finances in order. Ramsey breaks down his famous “seven baby steps” for financial success, which include paying off debt (using the debt snowball method), building an emergency fund, and investing for the future.

Key takeaway: This book focuses on transforming your financial habits to achieve debt-free living and pave the way for financial independence. Ramsey’s motivational style will give you the boost you need to get started.

7. The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins

This book started as a series of blog posts to help the author’s daughter understand money, and it blossomed into one of the most straightforward guides to achieving financial independence. JL Collins explains concepts like financial freedom, index fund investing, and minimizing expenses in easy-to-follow language.

Key takeaway: Learn how to make your money work for you through the power of simple investing strategies and a focus on long-term wealth-building.

8. Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach

David Bach’s groundbreaking book, Smart Women Finish Rich, is tailored specifically for women who want to build financial security and independence. He breaks down strategies to manage money wisely, eliminate debt, and invest for long-term growth. The book is full of empowering advice and practical exercises.

Key takeaway: Empower yourself with the tools and confidence needed to take charge of your financial future, no matter where you're starting from.

9. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

This #1 bestseller is packed with humor, actionable tips, and clear strategies to help readers take control of their finances. Ramit Sethi covers topics like optimizing your bank accounts, automating savings, paying off debt, and investing without fear. His writing is approachable, perfect for readers intimidated by the idea of managing money.

Key takeaway: Build a plan that includes both smart saving and guilt-free spending on the things you love. Sethi’s advice is modern, practical, and designed to work even if you’re not someone who loves spreadsheets.

10. Budgeting 101 by Michele Cagan

True to its title, Budgeting 101 is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to organize their finances, no matter their starting point. Michele Cagan explains how to set realistic goals, track expenses, and create a budget that actually works. It’s all about making budgeting a tool to help you live the life you want.

Key takeaway: A perfect beginner’s guide that equips readers with the skills and confidence to manage their money without feeling overwhelmed.

Reading is one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Pick a title (or a few!) from this list, take notes, and start applying the lessons to your own finances. Whether you’re a budgeting expert or just starting your financial literacy journey, these books offer valuable insights and strategies you can use to improve your money management skills.