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Personal Finance Guide
By an Amazon.com customer
Personal Finance For Dummies, 5th editionPersonal Finance For Dummies, 5th edition by Eric Tyson
Buy used from: $2.71
I know the Idiot's and Dummies' guides can seem a bit cheesy and basic but I must admit this was one of the first personal finance books I ever read (10+ years ago). If you're looking for the basics, then this is the place to start.
Why Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money: Overcoming Financial DysfunctionWhy Smart People Do Stupid Things with Money: Overcoming Financial Dysfunction by Bert Whitehead M.B.A. J.D.
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $0.01
This is the third edition of Bert Whitehead's book and they get better each time. Whitehead addresses many topics in personal finance which provide a great foundation for improving your own financial situation.
Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your PartnerSmart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner by David Bach
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $0.01
While this book is obviously targeted at married couples, I think its advice is appropriate for anyone interested in learning more about personal finance. I think Bach does a good job of beginning with goal setting before moving into tactics on how to acheive those goals. Many personal finance books just jump into tactics without considering the purpose first.
The Random Walk Guide To InvestingThe Random Walk Guide To Investing by Burton G. Malkiel
Buy new: $10.85 / Used from: $3.73
A great place to start learning about investing. It's a relatively short book and quick read.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Revised and Updated)A Random Walk Down Wall Street: The Time-Tested Strategy for Successful Investing (Revised and Updated) by Burton G. Malkiel
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $9.80
This is by the same author of "Random Walk Guide to Investing" but is longer and much more thorough. Of all the books on investing, I think this does the best job of describing a coherent and understandable philosophy.
The Intelligent Asset Allocator: How to Build Your Portfolio to Maximize Returns and Minimize RiskThe Intelligent Asset Allocator: How to Build Your Portfolio to Maximize Returns and Minimize Risk by William Bernstein
Buy new: $19.77 / Used from: $6.99
This is another book on investing which focuses on the importance of diversification and using investments with different characteristics to build an investment portfolio. A bit more technical but important information worth understanding.
Index Funds: The 12-Step Program for Active InvestorsIndex Funds: The 12-Step Program for Active Investors by Mark T Hebner
Buy new: $13.57 / Used from: $5.54
A well-illustrated book on the use of index funds. This book offers a good argument for using passively managed index funds versus actively managed mutual funds. Hebner's website, www.indexfunds.com also has a lot of useful information.
The New Retirementality: Planning Your Life and Living Your Dreams....at Any Age You Want (New Retire-Mentality)The New Retirementality: Planning Your Life and Living Your Dreams....at Any Age You Want (New Retire-Mentality) by Mitch Anthony
Buy used from: $0.01
A great book for people considering "retirement" and its implications.
The Number: What Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life and What Will It Cost?The Number: What Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life and What Will It Cost? by Lee Eisenberg
Buy new: $11.31 / Used from: $0.01
Another great book for people considering retirement.