6 Books To Read When You’re Just Starting To Figure Out Your Finances

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Figuring out your finances can be overwhelming, especially in your 20s. Between student loan debt, employee benefits, retirement accounts, credit cards, rent and more, it’s difficult to know exactly what you need to do. From saving and paying down debt to investing and paying taxes, these six books will help you get your financial footing so you can manage your money like a boss.

1. “Broke Millennial: Stop Scraping By And Get Your Financial Life Together” — Erin Lowry

The Skinny: If you’re in your 20s, you might easily identify with the title of this book. Being a broke millennial might be common, but it’s definitely not something that’s necessary. Author Erin Lowry knows from experience. She wrote the book in her mid-20s, and is now a successful author, writer and speaker. This book explains how to have a healthy relationship with money, manage student loans without overwhelming anxiety, discuss debt with your SO and more. If you’re young and need financial advice, this is the book for you.

2. “The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money” — Chelsea Fagan

The Skinny: If you’re navigating your first job, new student loan debt and more, read this book. “The Financial Diet” has been a successful personal finance blog for a while now, but in 2018, founder and author Chelsea Fagan put it all on paper. Learn everything you need to know about money management, negotiating a better salary, sticking to a budget and more. It’ll even break investing down into terms that you can actually understand. You’ll find financial freedom in no time.

3. “Refinery29 Money Diaries: Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Your Finances… And Everyone Else’s” — Lindsey Stanberry

The Skinny: Not that we condone comparing ourselves to others (we’re all unique and beautiful in our own ways), but we do think we can all use a little insight into the financial lives of others so we don’t feel so alone in managing our money. Refinery29’s known for its “Money Diaries” series, and now you can read all of the best ones, while also getting the financial advice you need. R29’s work and money editor Lindsey Stanberry helps make sense of your finances with both financial advisors and regular people. You’re not alone in paying back student loans, spending a little more than you probably should on rent or buying coffee instead of saving money for retirement every month in your 20s. Once you’re done relating to these women, you’ll feel able to take control of your finances for real this time.

4. “Money Honey: A Simple 7-Step Guide For Getting Your Financial $hit Together” — Rachel Richards

The Skinny: Rachel Richards gets real about money in her book with some of the best personal finance advice out there right now. As a former financial advisor, she knows what she’s talking about when it comes to spending less and making more every month, consolidating student loans and lowering your interest rate, using short-term savings strategies and more. Richards starts at the very bottom with budgeting tips and savings strategies so that you can go from beginner to pro in no time. This book will be like your very own financial planner.

5. “Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties” — Beth Koblinger

The Skinny: Author Beth Koblinger’s book is one of the OG personal finance books out there. It’s been revamped and targets millennials like never before. You’ll get the best advice for managing your money in your 20s, but this book will also easily be one you’ll want to read once you hit your 30s, too. From avoiding common money mistakes to decreasing your debt to investing to living on a budget, it’s time to get a financial life of your own and this book can help.

6. “The Hardworking Woman’s Guide to Money” — Kathleen Thomas

The Skinny: Let’s be real — you’re a hard worker and deserve to know the strategies for achieving success and wealth in your career and life, and this is where Kathleen Thomas comes in. Through her book, you’ll learn how to determine and grow your net worth, bank like a boss, secure a mortgage, take full advantage of your employee benefits and more. You’ll save money, think long-term, play the stock market and more before you know it. Financial independence is achievable, friends.

Do you have a favorite personal finance book? Tell us about it in our LinkedIn Group!

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