Best Personal Finance Books Of 2024

There’s plenty of great personal finance advice on the internet, but sometimes you want the depth and focus only a book can provide. Below, CNBC Select rounded up 10 of the best personal finance books for the year. We considered Amazon bestseller rankings, consumer sentiment on social media and our own editorial judgment to bring you a curated list of personal finance page-turners.

“I Will Teach You To Be Rich”

Who’s this for? “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” covers several areas within personal money management, including debt payoff, banking, automating your money, negotiating your bills and more. The author shares a fresh take on creating a “rich life” — even if you aren’t a millionaire yet — by spending consciously on what you love and cutting out the expenses you don’t care about.

The book is formatted as a six-week “program” so after each topic, readers should evaluate their learnings and start implementing author Ramit Sethi’s advice.

Readers say: Ramit Sethi’s guidance in the book has helped them consider their financial values so they can then take actions that support those values. Readers also say that the detailed advice is fairly easy to read and follow, and the book overall offers some refreshing perspectives on budgeting and managing your money.

“Die with Zero”

Who’s this for? “Die with Zero” is best for anyone who’s looking to turn tried-and-true retirement advice on its head. Author Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.

Readers say: This book challenges a few conventional ideas about how to pass down money to your loved ones. For example, instead of waiting until the end of your life to gift money to your children, give them the money when they’re younger and could use it for more experiences. Because of this, readers say the advice might be most actionable for those with disposable income and who have planned on leaving a sizable inheritance for their next of kin.

“Rich Dad Poor Dad”

Who’s this for? “Rich Dad Poor Dad” has been a popular read over the years. The author challenges conventional ideas of what wealth is and how to achieve it, making it an interesting read no matter where you are on your journey to financial security.

Readers say: The book has changed their perspective on a few key areas, including financial independence, wealth building and investing. Kiyosaki emphasizes that discipline and dedication are the keys to building wealth, and he’s littered the book with anecdotes to illustrate his point. Many readers recommend it as a suitable read for just about any age group.

“The Price You Pay for College”

Who’s this for? “The Price You Pay for College” is a breakdown of the financial systems surrounding paying for college. The author discusses topics that range from financial aid, to the value of what you’re learning and asks other tough questions.

Readers say: The book is a treasure trove of knowledge and author Ron Lieber shared many details about paying for college that some readers hadn’t even known about. Readers also note that the book discusses not just the cost of college but also the value of the experience. One area of opportunity mentioned by reviewers was that the book doesn’t really offer information for students considering trade schools, so if this is the type of education you’re considering pursuing, you may not get as much information on it from this book.

“The Total Money Makeover”

Who’s this for? “The Total Money Makeover” is written by famed financial guru Dave Ramsey. Ramsey is famous for his philosophy on aggressively paying down debt and sticking to a bare-bones budget while you do so. The advice in his book is a detailed rehashing of that philosophy, which readers who are eager for practical tips on the topic may find appealing.

Readers say: “The Total Money Makeover” by Dave Ramsey is easy to read and the financial concepts are straightforward — one reviewer even went as far as to say they finished the entire book in just one day. Other readers say the book offers real-life examples for managing your money and outlines several steps (called baby steps) to build a budget and get out of debt.

“Get Good with Money”

Who’s this for? “Get Good with Money” is full of best practices for readers who want to put their finances in order — starting with a budget. Author Tiffany Aliche is a well-known financial influencer and entrepreneur who shares frameworks for what she calls a “noodle budget,” assessing the issues within your current spending and handling life events like a job loss, home purchase and more.

Readers say: The book is described as a comprehensive guide to financial literacy that also includes advice on becoming an entrepreneur. Readers also commend the author, Tiffany Aliche, for being a relatable character throughout the book, not using a ton of industry jargon and being able to speak intimately about some of the challenges individuals face when it comes to managing and winning with their money.

“Think And Grow Rich”

Who’s this for? “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill was originally written in 1937 and co-authored by Rosa Lee Beeland. It does have a restored and revised version that was published in 2015 in case you’re looking for a more updated option. The book offers 13 principles for thinking about wealth and success and taking action to achieve your goals.

Readers say: The book applies principles of philosophy to the wealth-building journey. Many even go as far as to say that it has led to an improved mindset. There is a huge emphasis on improving your mindset, goal-setting and discipline around money.

“The Psychology of Money”

Who’s this for? “The Psychology of Money” dives into the different mental motivators that drive our financial decisions. If you want to know how emotions and biases affect your bottom line, this is the book for you.

Readers say: Author Morgan Housel’s advice is timeless and has prompted them to reflect on and reshape their relationship with money.

“Girls That Invest”

Who’s this for? “Girls That Invest” breaks down everything you need to know to start investing, including how the stock market works, the different kinds of investments out there and how to start building your portfolio. If you’re completely new to investing or just want to brush up on the basics, the book is packed with explanations that decode industry jargon and help you make sense of it all.

Readers say: The concepts presented in this book are written in a way that’s easy to understand and the information is easy to implement. Some readers point out that prior to reading Simran Kaur’s book, they had no knowledge of investing or how the stock market works, and now they feel like they’ve improved their level of understanding of these topics.

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