For those who’ve asked when the light bulb went off in my head, prompting me to stop drowning in debt and start taking my finances seriously:

It happened around the time I moved out of New York City and into the suburbs. With the daily grind of city commuting behind me, I finally had the mental space to think clearly. That’s when it hit me: if I didn’t change my financial habits, things were only going to spiral further out of control.

Around this time, I discovered a Financial Independence group on Facebook, which became a turning point. I started reading books recommended by people who had already achieved financial freedom.

Here are a few of my personal favorites.

The Simple Path to Wealth

The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life

This book will teach you how to invest without getting caught up in social trends, how to avoid exhausting research,, how to spend your time more wisely while investing the easy way.

It’s a compelling read that will keep you engaged from start to finish.

Rich Dad Poor Dad

Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!

This book will transform the way you think about money. While some of its perspectives may be open to debate depending on your background, you’ll still find its educational value undeniable.

It’s the boost you need to shift your financial mindset.

Think and Grow Rich

Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller–Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century

This book equips you with essential skills to improve both your financial and professional situation. While it doesn’t focus solely on finance, it explores the law of attraction, offering insights that can be applied not only today but also by future generations.

The Intelligent Investor

The Intelligent Investor: The Definitive Book on Value Investing

This book is packed with valuable insights, but it’s not for the faint of heart. Due to the heavy use of technical investing language, I had to read it twice to fully grasp the concepts. It’s also worth noting that the book hasn’t been revised since 1949, yet the core principles of investing remain timeless.

Get a financial life

Get A Financial Life: Personal Finance

This book will guide you, step by step, on how to get your finances in order. You’ll learn how to create a budget, pay off debt, and save on taxes. While it’s primarily aimed at a younger audience, I consider it a valuable “reference tool” for people of all ages and in various financial situations.


Money Management & Apps

We personally use Empower to track our spending, saving, see current balances, and check on portfolio performance. It allows you to view all of your accounts from one screen and sends you weekly spending updates. It’s 100% free to use for tracking your finances and available on all platforms.

This go-to cloud application has been a lifesaver in consolidating all of my personal money data into one convenient area. It helps me in identifying areas where I could improve as well as areas where I am doing well.

Online Stock Brokerage & Investing tools

I first started investing in the stock market with Robinhood and still using it today as it holds a larger portion of my portfolio. Robinhood is a no-fee brokerage. Trade stocks on mobile, pay nothing. It is totally free.

Fidelity is also a mutual fund company and online broker. They offer great stock details and great customer service. They hold a huge portion of my IRA retirement accounts.

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Loans

Neighborhood Assistance Corporation Of America is a non-profit, HUD-certified homeownership and advocacy group dedicated to assisting financially deprived people in becoming homeowners by providing low-interest loans with no down payment and no closing charges.

Insurance

I no longer recommend Gabi. The agency rates became more expensive than going directly through the insurer.

When it comes to vehicle and house insurance, comparison shopping is a must. Gabi is the one to go to. They saved me $900 by comparing and matching my coverage with additional benefits. I highly recommend their services