Amazon Prime Day — a four-day event starting on June 23 — can be an opportunity to shop for discounted items ranging from electronics to skincare. While you’re loading up your cart, consider snagging one or two personal finance books.
CNBC Select rounded up our top reads for budgeting, beginner investors and managing debt, among other topics, for those on the hunt for their next read. We considered Amazon bestseller rankings, consumer sentiment on social media and our own editorial judgment to bring you a curated list of personal finance page-turners.
If you’re more of an audiobook kind of person, our picks are also available on Audible. Right now, Amazon Prime members who sign up for Audible can get three months free, plus a $20 credit to use on the platform. This offer is only available for a limited time and ends on July 5, 2026.
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Best personal finance books of 2026
Best for basic ways to organize your money
“I Will Teach You to Be Rich”
Who’s this for? “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” covers several areas within personal money management, including paying off debt, banking, automating your money, negotiating your bills and more. The author, Ramit Seth, shares a fresh take on creating a “rich life” — even if you aren’t a millionaire yet — by spending consciously on what you love and cutting out the expenses you don’t care about.
The book is formatted as a six-week “program” so after each topic, readers should evaluate their learnings and start implementing Sethi’s advice.
Readers say: Sethi’s guidance in the book has helped them consider their financial values so they can take actions that support those values. Readers also say that the detailed advice is fairly easy to read and follow. Lastly, the book offers refreshing perspectives on budgeting and managing your money.
Listen to “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” on Audible.
Best for a new take on retirement
“Die with Zero”
Who’s this for? “Die with Zero” is best for anyone who’s looking to turn tried-and-true retirement advice on its head. Author Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living when tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
Readers say: This book challenges a few conventional ideas about how to pass down money to your loved ones. For example, instead of waiting until the end of your life to give money to your children, gift them the funds when they’re younger and could use it for more experiences. Because of this, readers say the advice might be most actionable for those with disposable income and who have planned on leaving a sizable inheritance to their next of kin.
Listen to “Die with Zero” on Audible.
Best for challenging the norm
“Rich Dad Poor Dad”
Who’s this for? “Rich Dad Poor Dad” has been a popular read for years. The author, Robert Kiyosaki, challenges conventional ideas of what wealth is and how to achieve it, making it an interesting read no matter where you are on your journey to financial security.
Readers say: The book has changed their perspective on a few key areas, including financial independence, wealth building and investing. Kiyosaki emphasizes that discipline and dedication are the keys to building wealth, and he’s littered the book with anecdotes to illustrate his point. Many readers recommend it as a suitable read for just about any age group.
Listen to “Rich Dad Poor Dad” on Audible.
Best for high schoolers and their parents
“The Price You Pay for College”
Who’s this for? “The Price You Pay for College” is a breakdown of the financial systems surrounding paying for college. The author discusses topics ranging from financial aid to the value of what you’re learning, along with asking some tough questions.
Readers say: The book is a trove of knowledge and author Ron Lieber shared many details about paying for college that some readers didn’t know. Readers also note that the book discusses both the cost of college and the value of the experience. However, reviewers noted that the book doesn’t offer information for students considering trade schools, so if this is the type of education you’re considering pursuing, you may not get as much information on it from this book.
Listen to “The Price You Pay for College” on Audible.
Best for managing debt
“The Total Money Makeover”
Who’s this for? “The Total Money Makeover” is written by famed financial guru Dave Ramsey, known for his philosophy of aggressively paying down debt while sticking to a bare-bones budget. The advice in his book is a detailed rehashing of that philosophy, which readers who are eager for practical tips on the topic may find appealing.
Readers say: Ramsey’s book is easy to read and the financial concepts are straightforward — one reviewer even went as far as to say they finished the entire book in one day. Other readers say the book offers real-life examples for managing your money and outlines several strategies (called baby steps) to build a budget and get out of debt.
Listen to “The Total Money Makeover” on Audible.
Best for budgeting
“Get Good with Money”
Who’s this for? “Get Good with Money” is full of best practices for readers who want to put their finances in order — starting with a budget. Author Tiffany Aliche is a well-known financial influencer and entrepreneur who shares frameworks for what she calls a “noodle budget,” assessing the issues within your current spending and handling life events like a job loss, home purchase and more.
Readers say: The book is a comprehensive guide to financial literacy that also offers advice on becoming an entrepreneur. Readers also commend the author for being a relatable character throughout the book, not using a ton of industry jargon and speaking intimately about some of the challenges individuals face when it comes to managing and winning with their money.
Listen to “Get Good with Money” on Audible.
Best for a classic
“Think and Grow Rich”
Who’s this for? “Think and Grow Rich” was written by Napoleon Hill — with help from his wife Rosa Lee Beeland — was originally written in 1937. A restored and revised version, which was published in 2015, offers an updated option. The book offers 13 principles for thinking about wealth and success, and taking action to achieve your goals.
Readers say: The book applies philosophical principles to the wealth-building journey and led to an improved mindset. There is also a large emphasis on improving your goal-setting and discipline around money.
Listen to “Think and Grow Rich” on Audible.
Best for financial psychology
“The Psychology of Money”
Who’s this for? “The Psychology of Money” dives into the different mental motivators that drive our financial decisions. If you want to know how emotions and biases affect your bottom line, this is the book for you.
Readers say: Author Morgan Housel’s advice is timeless and has prompted them to reflect on and reshape their relationship with money.
Listen to “The Psychology of Money” on Audible.
Best for beginner investors
“Friends that Invest”
Who’s this for? “Friends that Invest” breaks down what you need to know to start investing, including how the stock market works, the different kinds of investments and how to start building your portfolio. If you’re completely new to investing or just want to brush up on the basics, the book is packed with explanations that decode industry jargon and help you make sense of it all.
Readers say: The concepts presented in this book are written in a way that’s easy to understand and the information is easy to implement. Some readers noted that, before reading Simran Kaur’s book, they had no knowledge of investing or how the stock market works — now they feel they’ve improved their understanding of these topics.
Listen to “Friends that Invest” on Audible.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every personal finance article is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of personal finance products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
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Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
