As financial advisors, we spend a lot of time educating clients. After all, part of helping them make good financial and investing decisions is giving them all the information they need to understand in order to properly evaluate their options. In fact, learning about finance is one of the most important things anyone can do to increase both their understanding and their peace of mind as they participate in the financial markets.
What more people need to understand, however, is that financial learning shouldn’t wait until you start thinking about retirement, or even until you’ve begun your career. Children as young as age 4 can begin absorbing basics of money, saving, and investing. The key is to present the concepts in ways that make the most sense to persons at various stages of life.
Here are a few of my favorite books for financial learning for anyone from pre-K to MBA graduate. And by the way, as we enter the holiday season, remember that books make great gifts!
Children
If You Made a Million, by David M. Schwarz, illustrated by Steven Kellogg (HarperCollins Publishers, 1989, available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/0688070175?tag=dotdashinvest-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=5095583%7Cn725c5938d4bc42c297f444251b2b240801%7C). Though published in 1989, this is a classic, suitable for children ages 4–8. “Marvelosissimo the Mathematical Magician” explains the fundamental concepts of money, investing, and even dividends and interest.
The Everything Kids’ Money Book, by Brette M. Sember (Everything Publishing, 2008, available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1598697846?tag=dotdashinvest-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=5095583%7Cn725c5938d4bc42c297f444251b2b240801%7C). This book, aimed at kids 7–12, covers everything from how currency is made to the ins and outs of the financial tech industry, including principles of saving and investing.
Teens
Rich Dad, Poor Dad, by Robert Kiyosaki (Plata Publishing, 2nd edition, 2017, available at https://www.amazon.com/Rich-Dad-Poor-Teach-Middle/dp/1612680194/ref=asc_df_1612680194/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312162455511&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=7016960963233270787&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027253&hvtargid=pla-301634461823&psc=1). Perhaps the #1 selling personal finance book of all time, Kiyosaki’s book offers up “what the rich teach their kids about money that the poor and middle class do not.”
Heads Up Money, by Dorling-Kindersley (DK Publishing, 2017, available at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1465456260?tag=dotdashinvest-20&linkCode=ogi&th=1&psc=1&ascsubtag=5095583%7Cn725c5938d4bc42c297f444251b2b240801%7C). Teens are famous for questioning everything, and this book tackles issues head-on, discussing everything from what would happen if the government just kept printing money to whether money can really make you happy. Supply and demand, market trends, using credit, global economics, and other important topics are covered in this book intended for ages 11–18.
College and Young Professional
Managing Oneself, by Peter Drucker (Harvard Business Review Press, 2017, available at https://www.amazon.com/Managing-Oneself-Peter-F-Drucker/dp/163369304X/ref=asc_df_163369304X/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312118059795&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16719611820720321931&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027253&hvtargid=pla-404289632870&psc=1). Based on two influential articles published in the Harvard Business Review by “the father of modern management theory,” this book reveals the keys to becoming “your own chief executive officer.” For those on the cusp of a career or navigating its early stages, this is a must-read.
More Money, Please, by Scott Gamm (Plume Publishing, 2013, available at https://www.amazon.com/More-Money-Please-Financial-Secrets/dp/0452298431/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=). For everyone who ever found themselves in the professional world, wondering if there were things they should have learned along with trigonometry, Greek and Roman history, and Shakespeare, this book has the answers. Covering budgeting, credit card use (and abuse), handling student loan debt, and other vital financial topics for recent graduates and young professionals, this book by the founder of consumer financial website HelpSaveMyDollars.com “demystifies” financial topics “in an easy-to-understand and entertaining way.”
Empyrion Wealth Management is a fiduciary advisor, which means that we are professionally and ethically obligated to make sure our clients have all the information they need to make a decision that is best for their needs. Not only that, but we are committed to presenting that information in clear, jargon-free language. Books like those mentioned above are a great first step for anyone who wants to take more control of their financial future—or who wants that for their children or grandchildren. To learn more about how informed investors develop habits that lead to sound decisions, click here to read our whitepaper, “The Informed Investor.”
Stay Diversified, Stay YOUR Course!
