Resources

Here are some of my favorite personal finance resources:

Net worth tracker:

Empower. I’ve been using this one for years and it has been instrumental in keeping me motivated by giving me a big picture view of my finances. Empower is a free app that helps you track your net worth by automatically syncing all your financial accounts in one place. It allows you to monitor spending, set up budgets, and visualize how your investments and savings are growing over time. Empower also provides personalized insights and suggestions to help you optimize your finances, and its simple, straightforward design makes it easy to stay on top of your financial health. Learn more here!

Books:

Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez. This transformative book challenges readers to rethink their relationship with money. It helps you identify how much time you’re spending to earn money and teaches you how to align your spending with your values. Through its nine-step program, the book helps individuals achieve financial independence and live a more intentional, fulfilled life.
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. The book debunks the myth that millionaires live flashy lifestyles, revealing that many accumulate wealth through frugality, disciplined saving, and smart investing. It highlights key traits such as living below your means, avoiding debt, and investing wisely. This book is a great resource for anyone looking to understand the behaviors that lead to financial success and long-term wealth.
The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. This books offers a straightforward guide to achieving financial independence and retiring early (FIRE). Collins breaks down complex investment strategies into easy-to-understand concepts, with a focus on low-cost index funds. His simple approach to investing, alongside his insights on managing money, makes this book a must-read for anyone looking to secure their financial future without complicated strategies.
Millionaire Mission by Brian Preston. This book offers a nine-step system for building wealth using the money you already have. Through his Financial Order of Operations (FOO), Brian simplifies money management and empowers you to take control of your financial future with strategic, actionable steps.
The Bogleheads’ Guide to Investing by by Mel Lindauer, Taylor Larimore, and Michael LeBoeuf. This is a comprehensive resource for anyone looking to learn the basics of investing. Based on the philosophy of Vanguard founder John C. Bogle, the book emphasizes low-cost, long-term investing in diversified index funds. It covers everything from asset allocation to retirement planning, providing a clear, practical framework for achieving financial security.

YouTube channels:

The Money Guy Show. The Money Guy Show is a personal finance podcast and YouTube channel hosted by Brian Preston and Bo Hanson. With a focus on wealth-building, financial independence, and smart investing, they offer advice that blends practical tips with long-term financial strategies. Their content appeals to those looking to take control of their finances, with a particular emphasis on investing, taxes, and retirement planning.
Caleb Hammer. Caleb Hammer’s Financial Audit is a YouTube channel where Caleb provides detailed financial audits of real people’s finances. His approach is rooted in transparency and education, breaking down budgets, debt repayment strategies, and personal finance tips to help viewers learn and improve their financial situations. The channel offers a unique, practical approach to understanding how everyday individuals can better manage their money.
The Dave Ramsey Show. The Dave Ramsey Show offers practical advice on personal finance, focusing on debt elimination, budgeting, and wealth-building. I don’t agree with everything that Dave preaches in the world of personal finance, but his no-nonsense, straightforward approach has helped millions get out of debt and build financial security. The show features callers who ask questions about financial struggles and provides guidance on how to manage money wisely, with a strong emphasis on living debt-free.

Blogs:

Get Rich Slowly. Get Rich Slowly is an excellent resource for those looking to build wealth steadily over time. Founded by J.D. Roth, it focuses on personal finance fundamentals like budgeting, saving, and investing. The blog takes a slow-and-steady approach to wealth-building, emphasizing the importance of consistent saving and thoughtful spending. Get Rich Slowly is a great blog for people who prefer incremental, sustainable growth rather than get-rich-quick schemes.
Her First $100K. Created by Tori Dunlap, Her First $100K is all about empowering women to take control of their finances. Tori’s philosophy emphasizes financial independence, investing, and making money work for you. The blog covers everything from debt repayment to building wealth, all with a focus on improving your financial literacy and helping women break free from societal financial expectations. It’s perfect for anyone looking to start their personal finance journey or enhance their financial confidence.
Mr. Money Mustache. Mr. Money Mustache is perhaps one of the most famous blogs on financial independence and retiring early (FIRE). Run by Pete Adeney, Mr. Money Mustache advocates for living below your means, reducing consumption, and prioritizing long-term financial freedom over immediate gratification. His advice on cutting unnecessary spending, investing wisely, and focusing on financial independence resonates with many readers, especially those looking to change their relationship with money and live a more intentional life.
A Wealth of Common Sense. A Wealth of Common Sense, authored by Ben Carlson, focuses on wealth management, investments, financial markets, and investor psychology. Ben manages portfolios for institutions and individuals at Ritholtz Wealth Management LLC. The blog aims to explain the complexities of finance in a way that everyone can understand, emphasizing that complex problems don’t require complex solutions.