Discover the best finance books for young adults and equip teens with essential financial knowledge. From budgeting to investing, these handpicked books offer practical strategies for teens to navigate the complex world of money.
Learning about all money topics: budgeting, saving, working, investing, retirement, and much more begins at a young age. When kids are young, it is important to introduce them to money: how it works and what it is for. As kids grow older and become teenagers and young adults, it can be time to teach them more of the nitty-gritty of money.
Not all teens are interested in these topics, just like not all adults are interested in financial management. Some things are non-negotiable, in my opinion. Teaching a kid about budgeting and saving is a must, no matter the interest level. Teaching kids about the finer points of investing and entrepreneurship is for the kids who are most interested in these topics.
Are you going to change a teenager’s financial future today? If the answer is a resounding yes! (and it better be!) check out this list of financial literacy books to help your teen start off right!
Financial Literacy Books for High School Students
If you have a teen in your life who must learn about budgeting and saving, then some of these books can help them learn in a non-pressurized way. Reading a book is one of the best ways to teach someone something. It broadens the mind and introduces them to new ideas. Not all these books are perfect for every teen, and not every teen will appreciate a book like this as a gift.
However, many teens out there would love to learn more about these topics and would be thrilled to read some of these books. Most of these books are available at the library, and I would be remiss if I didn’t tell you that if you are checking the book out for yourself, you should check the library first before spending money on a book.
Once you love the book, you can go out and buy it for your home. And, of course, you can buy one of these books as a gift to a teenager in your life.
Financial literacy for teens is important, and we, as adults, should be doing our best to help any teenager we can learn about finances and money management. Some of these books make great graduation presents and can be a great gift for any occasion. Sometimes a book can languish on a teen’s shelf for a while but then be there at the exact right moment that they need it.
Are you going to change a teenager’s financial future today? If the answer is a resounding yes! (and it better be!) check out this list of money books for teens.
This post contains affiliate links, so I will get a small percentage of the sale if you buy one of these books. You can read the full disclosure here.
Best Financial Books for Young Adults
Budgeting for Teens
The Teen’s Guide to Personal Finance by Joshua Holmberg and David Bruzzese
This book covers the basics of personal finance and budgeting for teens. So many adults do not know the basics of budgeting, saving, and investing. When read as a teen, this book can help set you up for a life of success. This also has some good content about investing, although it is not the book’s main point. (HT: Libby Magliolo)
My Money Matters: Teens by LaKesha Womack
My Money Matters: Teen is a part of a family financial literacy series. There is an adult, teen, and kids version so that families can learn to budget, goal setting, save, and invest together. Each week the user creates a budget and learns a money management lesson.
Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees: A Parent’s Guide to Raising Financially Responsible Children by Neale S. Godfrey
Government Worker FI recommends this book: My mom used this to teach me money habits when I was a tween/teen. It helped me understand how to structure a budget, and I read the book as a teen and adult many times.
The book has children divide their allowance (or income for teens) up into jars: “taxes,” which go towards something fun for the whole family, “long term savings” which goes to the bank and is never touched, “short-term savings,” which goes towards a large purchase (like a video game system), and “crazy cash” which the children can spend however they choose. The most powerful part to me was the “short-term savings” bucket. It showed me how working towards a goal over a long period of time can be worthwhile and really pay off. I’d highly recommend this book.
Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School? by Cary Siegel
Cary Siegel wrote this book to help his kids with personal finances when they grew up. However, one question became obvious in the process – the topic Siegel covered was incredibly important for all teens, yet schools never taught them anything on this matter. As a response, Siegel simplified all of the money concepts and put them in a rather engaging book that explains eight takeaways from 99 personal finance principles. The book is easy to read, which explains why it became incredibly popular among teens and adults. (HT: Mikkel, Dixa)
A personal finance book for teens isn’t going to do any good if it isn’t read. Sadly, most personal finance books target adults and are boring and dry.
This Teenage Guide to Financial Literacy switches up even the most daunting topics with entertaining stories and real-life inspired classroom scenarios. Ms. Brown’s user-friendly guide offers practical advice and open conversation on every aspect of money and money management, covering critical topics such as bank accounts, living on a budget, credit cards, and how to manage money after high school.
The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan
This book is a good place for teens to start learning about personal finance. It offers a basic overview of personal finance that’s quick and readable. It does not give an in-depth view of any particular topic, but it can help steer teens away from silly mistakes and give them a perspective for what fiscal responsibility looks like in the real world. I was so impressed with the book that I gave it to my niece as a high school graduation present. (HT: James Major, Insurancepanda)
Be like James and do the same: Buy this book as a gift for a teenager in your life!
Financial Planning Books for Beginners
Suppose you have the basics of finances and money covered, then it’s time to move on to financial planning. Planning for your future properly can help you live the life you want to lead. Books about financial freedom and wealth are great for teens who already have the basics covered and want a little more. These books can inspire a teen who is looking to plan their future.
Financial Planning Revolutionized: Money Doesn’t Exist Until You Spend It by James Laham
This book follows the “live for today but bet on tomorrow” mantra, offering savvy advice that allows readers of all ages to make the most of their day-to-day life while adopting strategies that ensure they have a comfortable nest egg for later down the road.
From managing lifestyle burn rate and paying off a mortgage to funding college and taking social security as early as possible, Laham covers how to approach life’s milestones in a painless and financially viable manner.
He also lends his investment experience, choosing a financial advisor, and the best approaches to building a portfolio suited to personal financial goals and risk tolerance. Ultimately, “Financial Planning Revolutionized” offers a fresh, fun way of thinking about financial and retirement planning.
The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life by JL Collins
JL Collins, a straightforward normal guy, writes a book for his daughter about avoiding the biggest money mistakes and making money investing in index funds. The simplicity of his language and approach show that he’s, in reality, much more than an average guy. (HT: Daniel Penzing, Maze of our Lives)
Money Management for College Students
College, student loans, and being a student is all part of being a young adult today. These money books are geared specifically towards students. Any of these can make a great present for a high school student who is preparing to go onto college.
Financial Basics: A Money-Management Guide for Students by Susan Knox
This book is just the right choice for incoming students who face University Life away from home. It teaches you how to be prudent, saving up money, and tips on successfully navigating the world. (HT: Jill Sandy, Constant Delights)
The Complete Guide to Personal Finance For Teenagers and College Students by Tamsen Butler
This is a great and handy book covering many ground regarding investing and saving. It even has a chapter on dealing with creditors when going into college since young college students are particularly vulnerable to getting into debt. (HT: Justin Nabity, Physicians Thrive)
Investing and Saving Books for Teens
The Automatic Millionaire by David Bach
This fascinating read provides a deep dive into automating various parts of your financial decisions, including bill payments, savings, and more using easy-to-follow strategies. David Bach teaches teens the fundamentals of positive financial decision-making with a focus on long-term growth. (HT: Sara Bernier, Born For Pets)
Smart is the New Rich by Christine Romans
Learn what you should ask yourself before spending any money, revisit some old money rules that are actually good habits, see simple rules for managing student debt. Learn how to talk about money with friends, dates, and parents all in this book.
Money: Master The Game by Tony Robbins
Instead, Sethi advocates for “conscious spending” in that you decide how you want to spend your money and frame your budget around that, rather than depriving yourself of any enjoyment at all.
This book will make sure teens and young adults really start to think about how they want their financial future to look and what to do to get there. As they start to approach an age where temptations like credit cards suddenly become available, following a plan like Sethi’s and keeping in mind the idea of using their money intentionally will give them a great foundation for starting their adult lives on the right financial track.
Books About Entrepreneurship
Career Books for Teens
You don’t need to be an adult to start working or dreaming of the future. The hustle can start young. I worked throughout high school to save money for college and pay for my own expenses. Many other teenagers need to work to pay their own way or contribute to the family finances.
Teenagers who are prepared for the adult and working world are more likely to be successful. Having an idea of how to work and how to make the best out of your career, starting from a teenager, can be extremely beneficial to anyone who wants to secure a financial future. Even if these ideas are not applicable right now, I believe in learning ideas and techniques before you need them. Let the ideas percolate until you are ready to use them. These books can also be a great gift for the young hustler in your life (we all know a teenager like that!).
These books can also be helpful in helping a teenager figure out what they want to do with their lives, career-wise, and help them figure out which type of schooling, or training they require to be successful.
Set for Life: Dominate Life, Money, and the American Dream by Scott Trench
Daniel Carter from Zippy Electrics recommended this book: “I first read Set for Life two years ago, just when my online business was starting to take off. It was bringing in five figures a month, and I wanted to make sure that I was making the right investments and didn’t get overwhelmed.
I like how Scott Trench emphasizes figuring out your values and how you should use your time and money in a way consistent with those values.
(HT: Daniel Carter, Zippy Electrics)
Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Epstein
The Art of Money Getting by P.T. Barnum
Phineas Taylor “P. T.” Barnum (1810-91) is best known for forming the circus that came to be known as The Greatest Show on Earth. A brash, larger-than-life entrepreneur, he transformed the nature of commercial entertainment in the nineteenth century, from his private museum of curiosities to his big-top extravaganzas. Towards the end of his illustrious career, the renowned showman shared the secrets to his success.
P.T. Barnum may not have been a very good person, but he certainly knew how to make some money!
It’s not only a short book, making it less of a drag for those who may not be keen on reading a thick book, but it’s also full of a lot of great advice that’s written in an interesting and attention-grabbing way. (HT: Jacob Dayan, Community Tax)
Best Economics Books for Beginners
These books about economics won’t help you or your teenager learn how to manage money, but they are interesting! These books are great for any teen, young adult, or old adult who wants to know more about money, economics, fiscal policy, or money psychology. This list is not only for teenagers; any beginner who wants to learn more should also check out any of these best economic books for beginners.
Whatever Happened to Penny Candy? by Richard J Maybury
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel
A large majority of books out there on investing and personal finance tell you what to do and how to optimize this or that. Few books highlight the psychological aspect of money. Humans have tendencies and biases that can affect our decision-making and behaviors. I believe it’s essential that people learn this at a young age. This book can be eye-opening for young adults to help them navigate their finances while minimizing the negative impact of their thoughts and emotions. (HT: Brandon Hill, Bizness Professionals)
Best Financial Books for Young Adults
A Dime Saved
Hi! I am a millennial mom with a passion for personal finance. I have always been “into” personal finance but got inspired to start my blog after a period of extended unemployment. That experience really changed the way I viewed my relationship with money and the importance of accessible personal finance education.
Thanks for sharing!