Money matters. Women are now in their “get the bag” era and I have the perfect personal finance books to get you started! Whether you’re creating a budget, saving, investing, or just trying to get out of debt, financial literacy is key to financial freedom. The best part is that these are written by women! Who better to learn from than women who’ve mastered their money?
Why Read Personal Finance Books by Women?
It is no secret that women face unique financial challenges. We have the gender pay gap, career interruptions from pregnancies, and the mental load of managing families. This is why it is crucial to find personal finance advice from someone who gets it. The personal finance space has been primarily white, cis-male dominated. But the good news? Women are getting into the game! These books offer expert advice tailored to real-life experiences. So if you are ready to take charge of your finances, check out these finance books written by women for women.
1. Clever Girl Finance by Bola Sokunbi
The first three books I would like to add to the list are the Clever Girl Finance Books Series, by Bola Sokunbi:
- Ditch debt, save money and build real wealth
- Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money
- The Side Hustle Guide: Build a Successful Side Hustle and Increase Your Income
Why You Should Read
These series are perfect to start learning about your finances. The first book, Ditch debt, save money and build wealth, covers many beginner topics like debt, credit score, budgets and more.
Her second and third book, are great for someone who wants to start building multiple sources of income and make their money work for them.
Bola Sokunbi provides practical, no-nonsense strategies for budgeting, saving, and investing, especially for women starting from scratch.
2. Cultura and Cash by Giovanna González
Cultura & Cash: Lessons from the First Gen Mentor for Managing Finances and Cultural Expectations, is catered towards the First Gen Latina. It combines personal finance advice with the cultural experience many First Gen Latinas face.
Why You Should Read
As a First Gen Latina myself, it gave relatable and cultural personal finance advice that I can’t find in the typical finance book. It also helped me navigate why this financial advice did not apply to me. Learning to find harmony in balancing the individualistic American culture and the Latino collective culture, was a game-changer. If you are a First Gen who is struggling to make money moves while also having the responsibilities of taking care of your family, this is the book for you!
3. Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs by Nathalie Molina
Leapfrog: The New Revolution for Women Entrepreneurs, by Nathalie Molina Niño, is a guide for the woman entrepreneur. She discusses her “leapfrogs,” or hacks, she had to learn to become a successful business woman.
Why you should read
Nathalie, provides 50 hacks to accelerate your entrepreneur journey, that is geared toward women. The books discusses how the system has several obstacles for Women of Color and how to overcome them.
This was a great read for me as a First generation immigrant, who has had to stumble her way. She is an advocate for women of color in the business world. She points out how the system is not made for us, but provides actionable ways for us to overcome them. Definitely a must for any woman of color entrepreneur.
4. The Mind of an Entrepreneur by Wendy Muhammad
The Mind of an Entrepreneur, by Wendy Muhammad, discusses one the most important tools to succeed as an entrepreneur, your mindset. She discusses the importance of self-talk and how to improve your relationship with money.
Why You Should Read
Wendy goes over her struggles and challenges in the business world as an African-American woman. What helped her succeed was her mindset. She shares her tips on mindset and how to use it to help navigate the business world dominated by men. She gives ways to self-talk and change your mindset. It’s a quick and easy read. Plus, it is geared towards the woman of color experience.
5. Jefa in Training by Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda
Jefa in Training: The Business Startup Toolkit for Entrepreneurial and Creative Women, by Ashley K. Stoyanov Ojeda, is a step-by-step guide to start your busines. It includes activities that help guide you on starting your own business and entrepreneurship.
Why You Should Read
If you are an entrepreneur, or thinking of starting your own business, this is a guide for you. It is catered to the Latinx community, with many inspirational quotes. It covers what all is needed to start your business, including branding.
6. Investing in Rental Properties for Beginners: Buy Low, Rent High by Lisa Phillips
Investing in Rental Properties for Beginners, by Lisa Phillips, created this guide to help you get started investing in rental properties. She discusses the steps you need to get into the real estate investing game. Her focus is on working class neighborhoods, which are in the lower price range. She covers how to find deals, how to calculate cash flow, and what goes into being a landlord.
Why You Should Read
Want to start investing in real estate, but have low funds? Well this book discusses how you can get into the low income market. She covers the pros and cons of getting into these low markets and provides actionable steps for the beginner.
As a real estate investor myself, this book is a great beginner book to start your real estate investing journey that will put you on the path to financial freedom. It is easy to follow and understand. She goes over everything you need, including how to build your team.
7. Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche
Get Good with Money, by Tiffany Aliche, gives you a ten-step guide to build a better relationship with your money and gain financial security. Tiffany goes over how you can make better financial decisions in an easy-to-follow book. She shares parts of her own journey that are relatable to the reader.
Why You Should Read
If you are at the beginning of your financial journey, this guide will teach you how to work through your finances. It is geared towards the beginner or intermediate, with easy to understand steps. She also has a workbook to go along with the book.
8. We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers
We Should All Be Millionaires, Rachel Rodgers, gives you pointers on how to make better financial decisions and bring in more money. She brings in her own experience and those from coaching. She also talks about the struggles that BIPOC women go through trying to become successful. She provides actionable steps that you can take to get you closer to financial success.
Why You Should Read
As one of my favorite finance books, this book rejects the common patriarchal financial advice, that doesn’t really apply to women of color. She goes over the obstacles people of color go through trying to gain financial success. She covers how to empower yourself, change your mindset of money, and gain financial security.
I related to her experience and journey trying to overcome obstacles as a BIPOC woman. Not only does she cover the struggles of the patriarchy but also the issues that we face in a white male dominated world. I also loved the broke decisions vs millionaire decisions. She also advocates for buying back your time. She provides actionable ways to overcome some of the things standing in your way of becoming successful. It is a must read for BIPOC women!
9. Financially Lit! by Jannese Torres
Financially Lit!, by Jannese Torres is a guide for the modern Latina on how to take charge of their finances. From budgeting to investing, she covers it all.
Why You Should Read
This book provides everything you need to know to start getting your finances in order. She shares her own financial journey which is relatable to not only Latinas but many women. Her motivating journey will inspire to start yours. She provides easy and digestible tips to make finances less intimidating.
10. Limitations to Limitless by Tanya Taylor
Limitations to Limits, by Tanya Taylor, is a financial ruin survival guide to ensure you are protected from financial ruin from unexpected life events. She shares her own story of dealing with unexpected life event that put her financially at risk. She shares her strategies to protect yourself.
Why You Should Read
We often fail to plan for the worst, which is why this book is a must read. You never know when disaster may strike. Ensuring you reduce your financial risk will help you weather the storm. Many of us are one accident away from financial ruin. Learn how to reduce that with Tanya’s strategies.
11. Wealth Warrior by Linda García
Wealth Warrior, by Linda García, is a guide to help people of color learn how to invest in the stock market. She makes investing in the stock market seem less intimidating. She makes the fancy stock market lingo easy to understand.
Why You Should Read
This book is great for those wanting to start investing in the stock market, but feel intimidated by it. She addresses the money wounds we have and our scarcity mindset. These prevent us from building wealth via the stock market. It is easily digestible and you will be ready to buy your first stocks!
12. Invest Like a Mother by Tina Berger
Invest Like a Mother, by Tina Berger, questions the typical investment advice of “set it and forget it.” She gives actionable tips on investing with intention and purpose.
Why You Should Read
You hear the typical stock investing advice on how to invest in an index fund, automate your contributions and then let it grow. Don’t look at it or mess with it. However, in the MoneyChisme episode, “Are we funding our own struggles,” Tina dives into how this has had a negative impact that is affecting us. We are investing in companies that are making putting food on the table harder. Perfectionism isn’t the goal here. More of an awareness of what is going on and different investments that may align more with your values. A must read!
FAQs
1. How can women build wealth?
A great way to start is by learning how to budget, invest, increase your income, and break through limiting beliefs about money.
2. Are personal finance books really helpful?
Absolutely! A good book can provide new perspectives, actionable advice, and motivation to take control of your financial future.
3. What book should I read if I’m in debt?
The Budgetnista’s Get Good with Money by Tiffany Aliche is a fantastic guide to getting your finances in order.
