The 16 best personal finance books for 2022

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These are the best personal finance books for 2021:

• “I Will Teach You To Be Rich,” by Ramit Sethi
• “The Automatic Millionaire,” by David Bach
• “The Simple Path to Wealth,” by JL Collins
• “Get Good With Money,” by Tiffany “The Budgetnista” Aliche
• “Retire Before Mom and Dad,” by Rob Berger
• “When She Makes More,” by Farnoosh Torabi
• “You Are a Badass at Making Money,” by Jen Sincero
• “The Millionaire Next Door,” by Thomas J. Stanley
• “Spend Well, Live Rich,” by Michelle Singletary
• “Your Money or Your Life,” by Vicki Robin
• “Broke Millennial Takes On Investing,” by Erin Lowry
• “Get a Financial Life,” by Beth Kobliner
• “The Financial Diet,” by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage
• “The Money Manual,” by Tonya B. Rapley
• “Clever Girl Finance,” by Bola Sokunbi
• “How I Invest My Money,” by Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy

We’ve put together a list of 16 books for every stage of life and for every money goal, whether you want to retire early, invest in the stock market, start conversations about money with your family, or just see money from a different point of view. 

These titles were handpicked by the Personal Finance Insider team: some of our personal favorites, some we’re always talking about, and some with truly impressive Amazon reviews and ratings.

From timeless advice to detailed budgeting breakdowns for millennials, here are Insider’s top 17 personal finance books for 2022.

‘I Will Teach You To Be Rich,’ by Ramit Sethi

Personal finance author Ramit Sethi outlines a six-week plan for living out your “rich life” as you define it. “by Ramit Sethi” walks readers through how to use credit cards and maximize rewards, opening a high-yield savings account to earn interest, and even automating accounts to save with no effort every month. This easy-to-read and highly actionable book goes from reading to returns quickly. 

Best for:

• Making a plan
• Strategizing with your money
• Setting up systems to build wealth

‘The Automatic Millionaire,’ by David Bach

This book by financial writer David Bach teaches one simple principal: automating your finances. From saving to paying off debt, this book posits that setting up your finances to manage themselves could help grow wealth over many years. This book lays out a plan that can be put into action in an afternoon and make a lasting impact.

Best for:

• Making a plan
• Setting up systems to build wealth

‘The Simple Path to Wealth: Your Road Map to Financial Independence and a Rich, Free Life,’ by JL Collins

The principles of “The Simple Path to Wealth” were first laid out in a series of letters by the author to his daughter, and there’s no shortage of accessible and actionable advice on investing throughout the book. It takes on a light and casual tone in some chapters, but doesn’t shy away from explanations of more complicated topics, either. It’s the highest-rated personal finance book on the list, with over 3,800 Amazon reviews and an average rating of 4.8 stars. 

Best for:

• Investors
• People who want to retire early

‘Get Good With Money: Ten Simple Steps To Becoming Financially Whole,’ by Tiffany ‘The Budgetnista’ Aliche

Tiffany Aliche, aka The Budgetnista, shares her own triumph over debt and financial hardships. “Get Good With Money” also includes worksheets to help you assess your financial wellness without shame or judgment.

Best for:

• People who want to pay off debt
• People who like worksheets
• Young professionals

‘Retire Before Mom and Dad,’ by Rob Berger

For anyone considering early retirement through the FIRE (Financially Independent, Retire Early) movement, this book is a quintessential primer on the principles of getting started on this path. But, it also looks at principles that make financial independence and retirement attainable, even if retiring early isn’t on your list.

Best for:

• People who want to retire early
• People who want to build wealth

‘When She Makes More,’ by Farnoosh Torabi

“When She Makes More” author and personal finance expert Farnoosh Torabi explores a reality she lives with every day: being a breadwinner and a woman in a different-sex relationship. She looks at the realities and the rules she’s made with her partner, and discusses ways to maximize earnings and minimize conflict.

Best for:

• Starting a conversation about money

‘You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth,’ by Jen Sincero

Jen Sincero comes at money from a lighthearted angle in this book, and looks at the mindset it takes to earn and keep money. What it lacks in actionable financial advice it makes up for in inspiration. It’s an ideal book for anyone wanting a new perspective on earning and a motivation boost. 

Best for:

• Inspiration

‘The Millionaire Next Door,’ by Thomas J. Stanley

Thomas J. Stanley’s profile of America’s wealthy citizens finds that they’re more similar than they are different, and they’re not all the people you’d expect. Stanley looks at millionaires and finds seven habits that they have in common, including living below their means and rejecting traditional consumerism. Stanley’s insights have earned this book over 5,300 five-star reviews.

Best for:

• Inspiration

‘Spend Well, Live Rich: How to Get What You Want with the Money You Have,’ by Michelle Singletary

Author Michelle Singletary reflects on her life with her grandmother, who raised five children (including the author) on a modest salary. Singletary looks into the principals that her grandmother used with her own finances to make the most of what she had. It’s best for anyone wanting inspiration on making the most of the money they already have. 

Best for:

• Budgeters
• Personal finance beginners
• Inspiration

‘Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence,’ by Vicki Robin

Financial Independence is at the core of “Your Money or Your Life,” and it lays out a plan to get to that goal. While the book is fairly long (368 pages long, to be exact) it does give advice for every aspect of becoming financially independent, from the mindset it requires to the investment moves you should be making. It offers specific advice that can be applied whether or not you’re aiming to retire early. 

Best for:

• People who want to retire early
• Setting up systems to build wealth

Broke Millennial Takes On Investing: A Beginner’s Guide To Leveling Up Your Money by Erin Lowry

Broke Millennial took the world by storm with great budgeting tips written specifically for avocado-toast-brunching millennials. Erin Lowry is back at it again with a practical, easy-to-read guide to investing. Packed with tips for beginners, Broke Millennial Takes On Investing will teach you how to navigate the market in alignment with your beliefs and values.

Best for:

• Socially conscious investors
• Young professionals

‘Get A Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties,’ by Beth Kobliner

Another book aimed at millennials and young adults, “Get a Financial Life” focuses on the basics. From doing taxes to debt repayment strategies, Beth Kobliner gives a thorough foundation for anyone wanting to establish a financial life for themselves. 

Best for:

• Young professionals
• Personal finance beginners

‘The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money,’ by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage

Another great book for beginners, “The Financial Diet” lays a groundwork for anyone wanting to learn more about money and life. Best for young adults, Fagan dives into starting to invest and saving for retirement, as well as budgeting and debt repayment plans. The advice here is no-frills and easy to put into practice. 

Best for:

• Young professionals
• Budgeters
• Personal finance beginners

“The Money Manual’ by Tonya B. Rapley

“The Money Manual” is a guidebook to the basics of managing money, from saving to building credit. Written by the blogger behind Myfabfinance.com, this book is both engaging and approachable, with money lessons that are applicable no matter how much you’re earning. 

This book is more interactive than most, with sections of questions and space for writing. The book starts with a simple money check-in, and from the beginning gives actionable advice that can help you understand where you are and where you want to go. 

Best for: 

• Young adults and millennials
• Re-learning the basics of budgeting and saving
• Hands-on learners

‘Clever Girl Finance,’ by Bola Sokunbi

This easy-to-read guide to money doesn’t make assumptions — it starts with the very basics of building wealth and builds on them. This book roots its lessons in reality with real-life anecdotes, including from the author herself. 

It doesn’t require any prior knowledge, either. It covers the basics of organizing money and budgeting, then explains the credit system, debt, investing, and even asking for a raise.

It’s an excellent choice for anyone who is just getting started with personal finance, or simply wants a refresher on the basics. 

Best for: 

• Young adults and millennials
• Anyone searching for a crash course on managing money and building wealth

‘How I Invest My Money,’ by Joshua Brown and Brian Portnoy

If you’ve ever wondered how your financial advisor, a venture capitalist, or that money expert on the internet invests their money, Brian Portnoy and Joshua Brown have answers.

With pithy stories from 25 financial experts, this book advances on basic personal finance topics, giving readers ideas to implement as they take the next steps on their financial journeys.

It’s not the best choice for anyone who’s new to managing money, as it lacks enough explanation of the basics to be a stand-alone guide. But for readers who are ready to make new financial moves, this book will prove helpful.

Best for: 

• Strategies for building wealth, saving, and retirement topics
• People who are looking for inspiration to take the next step with their money

Want to read more? Try these:

Not every book we wanted to mention made the top 17. Here are a few more good choices to continue your reading:

• “The Total Money Makeover,” by Dave Ramsey
• “The Intelligent Investor,” by Benjamin Graham
• “Girl, Get Your Credit Straight!,” by Glinda Bridgforth
• “Financially Fearless: The LearnVest Program for Taking Control of Your Money,” by Alexa Von Tobel
• “Millionaire Teacher: The Nine Rules of Wealth You Should Have Learned in School,” by Andrew Hallam