Financial Literacy Books
Must-Read According to A.I.

A myriad of financial literacy books is serially being proposed to the public that’s starved for life-changing financial guidance these days.

Undeniably, there’s a lot of noise on the internet. That’s why at Squarecubic, our m.o. is to vet financial information and help disseminate only what has a proven and verifiable track record.

As you can imagine, we have already read a great number of these books. But, in this instance, we wanted to experiment a bit.

So, we asked A.I. to sort through all the popular titles in the genre and come up with a list of seminal and trusted books. They are in essence A.I.’s must-read picks for those looking to get to the core of what to learn for better financial literacy.

Here's the list of standout financial literacy books recommended by our A.I. query:

The Richest Man in Babylon

The Richest Man in Babylon was written by George S. Clason, and first published in 1926.

This is a relatively short book that uses parables set in ancient Babylon to teach timeless principles of personal finance. They include the proverbial “paying yourself first”, “spending less than you earn, and ‘investing your surplus income”.

It’s a reminder of another simple but so true catchphrase that contends that all the necessary information about money management could fit on an index card. This is credited to Harold Pollack who shows that, indeed, personal finance is often made unnecessarily complicated.

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Rich Dad Poor Dad was written by Robert T. Kiyosaki and published in 1997.

At the core of this book is the ground-breaking thematic of the “cashflow quadrant”. It has also gone on to challenge traditional thinking about what is an asset and what is a liability outside of conventional accounting principles.

Many items that we call assets are described as liabilities on the grounds that they don’t actually produce cashflow to help build up our wealth. Thus, they are likely obligations that cost us money.

Hence, the author emphasizes the importance of building wealth through cashflow producing assets and the necessity of financial education.

The Intelligent Investor

The Intelligent Investor was written by Benjamin Graham, published in 1949.

With the particularity of being touted as the book Warren Buffet recommends the most, this thick old book remains a treasure trove of information for beginners and seasoned traders alike.

If you wish to learn more about playing the winning long-game of the stock market, you could start by investing in this book.

Among other things, it teaches investors how to identify undervalued stocks and build a long-term investment strategy. It is considered the bible of value-investing.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich

I Will Teach You To Be Rich, by Ramit Sethi, was published in 2009.

This newer classic of personal finance offers a practical and actionable guide to managing your money, including budgeting, saving, investing, and negotiating.

The book is part of an entire financial education program started online with a mere $4.95 e-book to ultimately build a multimillion-dollar fortune for the author.

Not a bad way to establish unquestionable credibility in the field. Be prepared for unconventional advice that challenges old assumptions in wealth-building.

The Simple Path to Wealth

The Simple Path to Wealth, was written by J.L. Collins and published in 2016.

The most endearing part of this book is, as the title may or may not indicate, the simplicity sought by the author and finance expert.

J.L. Collins keeps his wealth formula extremely simple to understand and practice. In a nutshell, he advocates splitting what you earn down the middle, one portion for spending, the other portion for investing.

If you can stick to that easy prescription long-term, the book teaches you to follow a low-cost, index fund-based investing strategy for building long-term wealth. The keyword here again is “long-term”. Get set for a marathon, not a sprint.

These books provide a strong foundation for understanding personal finance, investing, and building wealth. They offer different perspectives and approaches, so you can find one that resonates with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

An additional tier of financial literacy books was proposed by A.I. for our query. Those offer variations of wealth-building strategies, some already well-anchored in today’s financial literacy education scene, some going beyond strictly finance.

Here is the ancillary list:

The Total Money Makeover

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey, was published in 1992.

So, you have a hard time reading a financial literacy book? Well, you can follow this radio personality on his syndicated show. You can even buy audio versions of his many books.

This pick is a good choice for those who want a clear “baby-steps” approach to managing finances.

The book outlines a proven 7-step plan for achieving financial freedom through budgeting, paying off debt, and investing, using wealth-building strategies to take control of your finances.

It is also liked for offering practical advice in a way that everyone can relate to.

Your Money or Your Life

Your Money or Your Life, written by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez in 1992.

There is something of a revival for this book written three decades ago with a current generation of readers, many from the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early), who can relate to its core message.

The book focuses less on growing your money and more on your relationship and lifestyle choices relative to your financial decisions.

It helps readers examine their values and relationship with money and develop a plan to achieve this according to their individual perception of the role of money in one’s life.

Broke Millennial

Broke Millennial was written by Erin Lowry in 2016.

It is increasingly well-documented that Millennials have a less than ideal relationship with money compared to prior generations of Americans. The caricatural portrayal is the return to live at home, after college and career fail to produce the anticipated result.

This book is written specifically for millennials and young adults who are experiencing struggles with financial insecurity.

It offers practical advice on debt, credit cards, student loans, buying or not buying a home, retirement and wealth-building, all from the vantage point of this particular generation.

Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, was originally published in 1937.

While not strictly focused on financial literacy, this book is a vintage and authoritative personal growth guide reportedly based on insights from billionaire Scottish-born immigrant Andrew Carnegie.

The book offers timeless principles on goal setting, motivation, and achieving success. It can be a helpful mindset shift for those looking to improve their financial situation.

It can also provide a well-rounded perspective on various financial topics and empower you to make informed decisions for your financial future.

In Closing

This AI-curated list provides a strong foundation for your financial literacy journey.

Remember, financial knowledge is empowering. At Squarecubic, we believe that the bigger your knowledge base, the better equipped you are to make informed decisions and achieve your financial goals.

So again, grab a book! Rich Dad Poor Dad is an example known to be a tremendous eye-opener for many, but so are many others from this list or beyond.

Keep exploring the world of personal finance by any means you like, and take control of your financial future! There's a wealth of knowledge waiting to be discovered. Happy reading, and happy building!

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