12 Summer Reads to Help You Win With Money
8 MINUTE READ
With some of the country still sheltering in place, that bucket list may not look like what you thought it would. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be a summer to remember! Instead of venturing to the beach or that amusement park, grab some books and learn how to be a better leader, dump those student loans, cultivate contentment, or map your steps to becoming an everyday millionaire.
Whoever said reading beachside is the only way to burn through your summer reads hasn’t picked up these books. Here are our top 12 books that are sure to make this summer your best one yet.
1. The Richest Man in Babylon
All of this coronavirus craziness probably has you ready to wade through all the financial nonsense out there and get back to the basics. We don’t blame you. The Richest Man in Babylon is full of financial wisdom that dates back to ancient Babylon. It’s probably what your great-grandma turned to for financial advice.
This Ramsey Press revised edition of George Clason’s classic shares stories of people who struggled with debt only to come out on the other side ready to build lasting wealth. It even includes Dave’s sound advice from The Dave Ramsey Show. This little book will inspire you to take a new look at your own finances and change your life.
2. The Proximity Principle
Around 70% of Americans are unengaged at their jobs.1 Sure, right now, many of us are blessed to even have jobs. But if you’re dreading Monday mornings, it might be time to start looking for new opportunities that will get you pumped to go to work each week. And you can work toward your dream job while you keep food on the table and gas in the tank.
Listen: You don’t have to stay in a job that’s just that—a J-O-B. Ken Coleman answers all the questions swirling in your head about how to network, gain a mentor, and close the distance between where you are right now and where your dream job is. So, go ahead—watch your kid do their 20th cannonball and then jump on into this incredible read!
3. Debt-Free Degree
It’s never too early to start thinking about college. And your kids can go to college . . . debt-free! Did you know the average college graduate walks across the stage with $35,000 of student loans?2
Lead others to financial peace! It’s easier than you think. Learn how.
For years, people have been spoon-fed the idea that student loans don’t really count as debt. But that’s a bold-faced lie. Student loans are the worst. It’s like going through a pandemic . . . and running out of toilet paper. Yikes.
National bestselling author Anthony ONeal has created this step-by-step guide on how to help get your kid through college without the loans and set them up for financial success. Kicking off your student’s future debt-free? That’s a gift that keeps on giving!
4. Destroy Your Student Loan Debt
In this 64-page Quick Read, Anthony ONeal gives you the ugly truth about student loans and how they’re actually hurting you. If you’re new to the Baby Steps and short on time, but want the facts on how to tackle those loans for good, this motivating read might be your favorite one of the summer. Anthony gives you a step-by-step plan on how to send those student loans packing—for good.
5. Smart Money Smart Kids
Give. Save. Spend. Teach your little ones the value of hard work when they’re young and they’ll be masters of their piggy banks (and their finances) as they grow. Father-daughter duo Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze team up to share their personal stories of raising money-smart kids (and growing up with a financial guru as a dad).
Dave and Rachel tackle the importance of teaching your kids where money comes from, the value of hard work, paying cash for college, living responsibly, and how to avoid debt like the plague.
6. Love Your Life, Not Theirs
Comparison is dumb. Not only does it make us want what others have but it makes us ungrateful for what we do have. (And let’s be real: When we want what others have, we’re probably going to spend ourselves broke.) Keeping up with the Joneses is overrated. Why? Because the Joneses are broke!
This is the perfect summer read. No matter what your summer looks like (or what it doesn’t look like), there’s still so much to be thankful for. Rachel Cruze will show you how to live the life of your dreams by wanting the life you already have, steering clear of debt, and leaving behind the stress. You won’t be disappointed.
7. Business Boutique
You know that dream that’s been cooking in the corners of your mind for the past few years? The one that keeps you up at night and makes your heart go pitter-patter? Yup—that one. Who says you can’t turn that dream into a real-life actual business? And who says you can’t make some serious money doing what you love? Send those naysayers packing and pick up this step-by-step guide by bestselling author Christy Wright.
This read is everything you need to know about how to start making money doing what you love. You’ll learn how to create a business plan, manage your time, market your brand, and sell your product. Oh, and all those nitty-gritty details like taxes, budgeting and pricing? Christy covers those too.
8. The Total Money Makeover
If you’ve never read this, you’re in for a treat. This isn’t just another boring book about finances and spreadsheets. Nope. This bestselling book is going to be one you can’t put down until you’ve read every last word.
Not only does it give you a proven plan for how to take control of your finances—once and for all—but it also tackles those etched-in-stone money myths you may have believed all your life. With real-life stories of people who have hit rock bottom and worked their way to the top, this book will inspire you, motivate you, and help you give your finances the makeover they deserve.
9. The Graduate Survival Guide
Turns out, the choices you make in college can lead to a successful future . . . or knock you down for years to come. This book by Anthony ONeal and Rachel Cruze talks about the five mistakes many college students make in college that cripple their financial future when they should be chasing their dreams.
This book lays out the honest truth when it comes to credit cards, student loans, dumb decisions and the mistake of not having a plan (or money) in college. If you’ve got a recent high school grad in the house, they’ll want to binge this—instead of Netflix.
10. Everyday Millionaires
All millionaires drive fancy cars, eat steak dinners prepared by their own personal chef, and only wear brand-name clothing, right? Wrong! Chris Hogan and his team conducted the largest study ever recorded on 10,000 U.S. millionaires. What they found was that millionaires actually live on less than they make, invest, use coupons, and avoid debt like the plague.
This summer read will burst those millionaire myths floating around and help you realize that you too can be an everyday millionaire. Dive in. You won’t be disappointed.
11. One Question
If you could ask Tony Dungy one question, what would it be? What about Malcolm Gladwell or President Jimmy Carter? Ken Coleman sat down with these amazing people (and many more) to ask them questions about leadership, integrity, parenting, reaching your full potential and more. Once you start, you’ll be glued to the pages, learning from the giants of our time.
12. The National Study of Millionaires
Remember that study Chris Hogan and his team conducted on 10,000 U.S. millionaires? We decided to share it with you. Have you always wanted to know the average amount a millionaire actually spends on their groceries? Or the stats behind just how many of them received an inheritance? The numbers will surprise you. This may not be the easy poolside read you’re used to, but if you’re one who loves research, this is right up your alley.
Well, what are you waiting for? Head over to our $10 (or less) Sale and stock up on these amazing reads for your summer bucket list. You’ll be inspired to change your life—for the better—in no time.