All the great entrepreneurs in the world seem to advocate reading, for it improves your mind and broadens your horizons. But with life being so fast-paced these days, who has the time and energy and patience to plow through finance books and extract the essence out of them?
Cryotosensei to the rescue. Bestowed with a healthy curiosity about the human condition (aka kay poh), I actually enjoy reading such books. Plus, I have grandiose dreams of being a paid book reviewer some day, so I’m in the habit of posting reviews on IG. In any case, I have paved the way for you. Enjoy my wacky and wise 10-word summaries to determine if a particular book you have always meant to read is the right fit for you!
For Children
Earn It! A Moneybunny Book (Cinders McLeod) - Don't focus on money; hone your craft first.
Money-Go-Round (Roger McGough) - Once money comes into your life, pay your debt first.
Warren Buffett's 26 Secrets to Success in the Business of Life (Andy and Amy Heyward) - Develop great habits for life as assets for your business.
For Teens
Manage Your Money Like a Grownup: The Best Money Advice for Teens (Sam Beckbessinger) - Trading cows is a form of investment in South Africa.
For Adults
Your Money or Your Life (Vicki Robin) - You exchange your life energy for money!
Work Optional (Tanja Hester) - Craft your money mission statement and charge your way there.
The 5 Money Personalities (Bethany Palmer and Scott Palmer) - Everyone has a Primary and another Secondary Money Personality
Everyday Millionaires (Chris Hogan) - Focus on growing wealth, not getting rich.
Unshakeable (Tony Robbins) - The volatile stock market actually functions on 7 predictable patterns.
Open Up: The Power of Talking about Money (Alex Holder) - Talk about money to declutter your mind of worries.
The 30-Day Money Cleanse (Ashley Feinstein Gerstley) - Keep a money journal; record your feelings after every purchase.
Real Life Money (Claire Seal) - Draw 10-by-10 grid; colour 1 square for every 1% of goal reached.
Happy Money (Ken Honda) - Say thank you when you receive and spend money.
The No Spend Year: How I Spent Less And Lived More (Michelle Mcgagh) - Ask for things on Twitter, and you shall receive.
Quit Like A Millionaire (Kristy Shen and Bryce Leung) - Involve yourself in geoarbitrage to stretch your dollar.
How to Make Your Kid a Money Genius (even if you’re not) (Beth Kobliner) - Gradually release financial responsibilities to children from 3-23 years old.
Money Minded Families (Stephanie Mackara) - Help your primary school child to invest in stocks
3 Takeaways From All These Books
I'm sure you are curious by now and will like to ask if my mindset has changed after reading so many books. I think reading all these finance books makes the topic of personal finance more exciting for me as I get a glimpse into the personality of each author. It's fascinating for me how different authors approach this topic differently, in their own idiosyncratic way. Remember how I said that I am a kay poh. Anyway, here are my three takeaways.
I find myself wanting to think about money more as I want to craft my original views about saving/spending/sharing/investing money. Being the father of a toddler boy helps in this respect as I have a "guinea pig" at home to try out my ideas with.
I'm definitely a more mindful generator and spender of money. Many of these books recommend that we track every single cent and/or assign a purpose to every single dollar, so I find myself appreciating the value of each dollar more. This is especially so when I go to the trouble of topping up my SRS account with paltry earnings gained from survey websites and the like.
I learnt that some of these authors who write finance books are ordinary people, just like you and me. If they can write books just by sharing their financial journey, why not me? My fire (not the Financial Independence, Retiring Early kind, though that would also be nice) is ignited.
What are some takeaways you have picked up after reading personal finance books? Let me know in the comments below!