Ally’s Personal Finance Reading List
With many countries around the world in some form of lockdown and travel restrictions in place for most Australian expats across the globe, this can be a great opportunity for you to brush up on your personal finance knowledge.
One of the things that I love about jumping on a plane, whether it be a short flight or a long-haul, is to head to the airport bookshop and find the latest book on personal finance, or biography on one of the titans of the industry. While we may not be able to board a flight any time soon, with technology at our fingertips, we still have access to some great resources all over the world.
This week our team at Ally Wealth Management is outlining our personal favourite finance books for you to check out. We’ve highlighted some of the key takeaways from each to give you an idea of which might be of interest to you.
- Rich Dad, Poor Dad series – Robert Kyosaki
There is little doubt that Robert Kyosaki is one of the big names of the personal finance industry, and his books are certainly worth checking out. We may not agree with his ‘fear-mongering’ approach to selling his seminars or other resources, predicting the next great ‘market crash’ or otherwise, his books are still an excellent foundation. Here you’ll learn the basics of starting a business, building wealth through investing in growth assets, and basic financial literacy. If you’re just getting started on your personal finance journey, we’d certainly suggest this is a great starting point.
- The Richest Man in Babylon – George Clason
Originally written in 1926, the lessons of this book are just as powerful today as they were back then, and we’d have to suggest, that they’re still ignored by many. The key message of this book is to always ‘pay yourself first’ and is a worthwhile read by anyone with a basic interest in personal finance. You’ll pick up the 7 rules of money, which we’re sure you’ll find helpful as you progress on your financial journey.
- The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas Stanley
Another simple story with a key message, that you too can amass wealth by following some simple rules. The book explores the key traits and behaviours of millionaires across America, dispelling some common myths, and outlines simple behaviours that anyone can adopt to improve their own personal finances.
- The Armchair Guide to Property Investing – Ben Kingsley & Bryce Holdaway
Australians, in particular, have a natural affinity to property, and this book aims to simplify the strategies behind investing in property. This is not your typical ‘zero to 200 properties in 20 minutes or less’ hype, but rather shares the case studies of everyday people who have achieved their property goals of amassing enough wealth in property to achieve their retirement income goals. We believe in the value of diversifying your wealth, and this book certainly sheds some light on property as an asset class.
- The Big Short – Michael Lewis
This is one of the few personal finance books that was turned into a movie, and if you haven’t already seen it, we’d certainly recommend that you do so. For anyone interested in financial markets, this particular story looks at the subprime mortgage crisis that gripped the United States and led to the financial crisis of 2008 – 2009. While some of the terminology used may not be familiar to everyone, it’s a fascinating read and one of our favourites.
- Security Analysis – Benjamin Graham
For anybody operating in the world of investing and financial markets, many would suggest that this is the ultimate handbook. For those that have seen the movie, The Pursuit of Happyness with Will Smith, this is the book that he is given to study for the job that ultimately changes his life. It is certainly quite technical, and many will find it quite a ‘dry’ read, but for those looking to learn more about why stock prices move, this is a great resource.
If you have some others that you’d like to see added here or have any questions about other resources, please reach out to our team. We’re always on the lookout for new ways to empower people with the tools and knowledge to make smarter financial decisions.
Ally Wealth Management is the trusted ally in finance for Australians at home and across the globe. As both Australian expats and residents, the founders of Ally have a unique understanding of the common personal financial challenges faced.
Book your complimentary appointment with our team at Ally Wealth Management to discuss how we can help you to achieve your financial goals.
Ally Wealth Management Pty Ltd is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Sentry Advice Pty Ltd ABN 77 103 642 888. Sentry Advice holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) No. 227 748.
General Advice Warning: The information contained herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute personal advice. You should not act on any recommendation without considering your personal needs, circumstances and objectives. We recommend you obtain professional financial advice specific to your circumstances.
