Recommendations
I thought it might be helpful to share some of my favorite recommendations when it comes to the best financial books or my favorite financial tools. Check them out below!
Book Recommendations
Blog Recommendations
Podcast Recommendations
Credit Card Recommendations
Budgeting Recommendations
Brokerage Recommendations
Book Recommendations
1. Rich Dad Poor Dad
Description
Rich Dad Poor Dad is an absolutely wonderful written by Robert Kiyosaki book and should be required reading in schools all across America. This book was one of the first books I have ever read and it completely changed my life. Once you get started, it's impossible to set down. This book will motivate you and change your mindset when it comes to money.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
2. The Millionaire Mind
Description
The Millionaire Mind is a great book written by Thomas Stanley. As the name implies, Thomas studied the minds and thoughts of many millionaires and compiled them in this book. It's a great book for understanding how your thoughts have a direct impact on your personal finances.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
3. Think & Grow Rich
Description
Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill is another personal finance classic. Napoleon lays the framework for the mindset that is required to become wealthy. After reading this book you will quickly understand why it's one of the best-selling books of all time.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
4. Set For Life
Description
If any of you listen to the Bigger Pockets Money Podcast (listed below in the podcasts section) then you will quickly understand why you need to read this book. Set For Life is written by the Bigger Pockets Money Podcast host, Scott Trench. Scott is a brilliant young man passionate about personal finance and in his book he lays out an easy to follow plan for becoming financially free.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
5. The Book On Rental Property Investing
Description
There are an incredible amount of real estate investing books out there, but hands down one of the best is Brandon Turner's The Book On Rental Property Investing. Brandon is the host of the Bigger Pockets Podcast and is a true inspirational real estate investing success story. In this book Brandon lays out his formula for successfully investing in rental properties. An absolute must read if you're interested in real estate investing at all.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
6. The Snowball
Description
I've lost track of how many times I've read this book over the years. All I know is it is a lot! Warren Buffett is a true financial inspiration and you will learn so much from this fascinating book written by Alice Shroeder. Warren Buffett will go down as the most influential investor there is and this book is a great insight into his life. This is one of those books that I recommend reading several times in your life as you will glean new and interesting things from every read.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
7. John Bogle On Investing
Description
There is no doubt in my mind that John Bogle is the most influential investing mind this world has ever seen right alongside Warren Buffett. John Bogle founded the investing behemoth, Vanguard, and in his book he gives his thoughts on investing. This book is an absolute must read for everyone, in my personal opinion. Sadly, not enough people will read this book.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
8. John Bogle On Mutual Funds
Description
To be honest, you should read everything that John Bogle has written. Here's another great book. Similar to the above recommendation, only John dives more deeply into the world of mutual funds. You will learn a ton from reading this book and I highly recommend.
Where to buy
Amazon. Click here to purchase this book on Amazon.
Podcasts
My Thoughts
I absolutely love the Bigger Pockets Podcast. Hands down my all-time favorite podcast for a million reasons. The podcast is all about Real Estate investing and is hosted by Brandon Turner and his co-host David Greene. As absolute real estate power hitters themselves, you get to listen to them interview hundreds of succesful real estate investors. There is not a single real estate topic that they haven't discussed on this podcast and they are always adding more every week. Quit taking real estate advice from your uncle who lost his shirt on that one real estate deal he did 20 years go. Go to the best real estate investing resource there is, Bigger Pockets.
My Thoughts
The Bigger Pockets Podcast was so successful they decided to start another one called the Bigger Pockets Money Podcast. Hosted by Scott Trench and Mindy Jenson, the show dives deep into personal finance topics every week with a new and exciting guest. This podcast is my next go to podcast when I'm all caught up on The Bigger Pockets Podcast. The topics are always great and you will learn a ton from listening. Highly recommend.
My Thoughts
If Entrepreneurship interests you then you will absolutely love this podcast. There's one thing I can't ever get enough of, success stories. This show is hosted by the brilliant interviewer, Guy Raz, as he interviews successful entrepreneurs all around the world. You get to hear extremely motivating and insightful interviews with some of the most successful entrepreneurs on the planet and learn exactly "How they built it."
My Thoughts
I recently just started listening to Millennial Investing so I don't have a ton to say about it. However, the few episodes I've listened to so far have been fascinating and the host has done a great job interviewing so far.
My Thoughts
The Investor's Podcast is another great podcast diving into investment topics and the lives of billionaires. If you like to actively invest, then this is a great podcast for you as the hosts discuss specific investing strategies and ideas in depth.
Credit card recommendations
Card: Amazon Prime Rewards Card
My Thoughts
At this point, who doesn't love Amazon. Naturally, they have a pretty good credit card. If you're a prime member and you get this credit card you get 5% back on every purchase on Amazon.com. In addition, you will earn 2% cash back at restaurants, gas stations, and drugstores and another 1% cash back on everything else. All of this and still no annual credit card fee, which is beautiful. Just remember, cash back doesn't mean anything if you don't pay your card off in full every single month!
Card: Savor Rewards from Capital One
My Thoughts
I love this card primarily because you get 4% unlimited cash back on dining & entertainment. I'm pretty frugal, but I do tend to spend too much money on eating out when I do spend and this card atleast helps me make up for that a little bit. You get a nice $300 cash bonus when you sign up to! Again, remember to pay your credit card off in full every thing month. No excuses.
Card: PNC Cash Rewards Visa Credit Card
My Thoughts
I just recently picked this card up because of its 4% cash back on gas station purchases. I live in a rural area so I do a lot of driving and the cost of gas adds up. In addition, the other cards above only pay 1% cash back on groceries, whereas this card pays 2% cash back for groceries.
Budgeting Recommendations
Budgeting Software: Mint.com
Mint.com is hands down the best budgeting option on the market right now in my opinion. The best part, it's completely free. Just link up your accounts and automatically start tracking your spending and investments. It's very simple to use and gets smarter the more you use it.
Budgeting Software: Microsoft Excel
Yes I still use old fashioned microsoft excel to track spending and plan my budgets. It's extremely powerful software. Yes, it's more manual than a specific budgeting app or software, but budgeting should be relatively manual. That's the only way you get into your finances and recognize spending patterns and truly understand what's going on. Budgeting apps are great, but if everything is automatic then you will become out of touch with your financials.