Money is something we all think about, but often shy away from discussing openly. We only bring it up when we’re at that dreaded point of being broke. But here’s the truth: if you want to avoid those rock-bottom moments, it’s time to start talking, learning, and mastering your finances.
Books are your best friend in this journey. Whether you prefer hard copies, e-books, or audiobooks, there’s a wealth of knowledge out there waiting for you. While there are many ways to learn, books often offer the most detailed and structured insights, straight from the minds of seasoned authors and experts. So, if you’re serious about figuring out how money works, how to invest, and why budgeting is essential, let’s hit the books before reality hits us. Trust me, you’d much rather be proactive than reactive, urgent 2ks shouldn’t be our regular anthem anymore.
So here are seven books that will help you step up your money game:
Small Business, Big Money – Akin Alabi
Akin Alabi, the mastermind behind Nigeria’s first online sports betting platform, NairaBET, has experienced every phase of building and running small businesses until they turn profitable. If you want money, you need to learn how to make it. This book is a playbook for Nigerians, offering the best insights into running a successful business and turning it into a money-making machine.
The Smart Money Woman – Arese Ugwu
Chances are, you’ve heard of this book either online or offline. Arese Ugwu wrote a game-changing financial guide specifically for Africans, particularly women, on how to be smart with money. She emphasizes the importance of investing, breaking bad money habits, speaking to people about money problems especially someone who has it figured out, budgeting, and channeling funds into the right areas.
The Smart Money Tribe – Arese Ugwu
A companion to The Smart Money Woman, The Smart Money Tribe takes the African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone; but if you want to go far, go together” to heart. Arese lays the groundwork for building wealth with friends, like pooling funds together to invest in larger ventures such as real estate and growing brands.
Ideas Rule the World – Sam Adeyemi
Your ideas and mindset can take you further than money ever could. Sam Adeyemi teaches the value of investing in yourself and your ideas. This book covers how to brand yourself, promote your ideas, and pitch them to the right people. It’s about leveraging your brainpower to open doors that money alone can’t.
The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko
This book is a deep dive into the lives of real people who have achieved significant wealth, sometimes even generational wealth. The authors debunk myths about the wealthy and offer practical lessons on frugality, living below your means, wise investing, and avoiding debt. Whether you’re single, in a relationship, or have a family, this book will guide you on saving, investing, and building wealth.
Secrets of Six-Figure Women – Barbara Stanny
Barbara Stanny’s book focuses on women and how they often hold themselves back from financial success. Through interviews with both high and low-income earning women, the book reveals how mindset influences earning potential. The practical advice includes overcoming self-doubt, negotiating, investing, and building multiple income streams.
The Richest Man in Babylon – George S. Clason
Despite being written in 1926, this book remains a timeless guide to building and managing wealth. George S. Clason uses storytelling to impart lessons on saving, living below your means, investing wisely, protecting your wealth, and planning for retirement. This foundational text has inspired countless financial books that followed.
Ultimately, your financial success boils down to the value you place on yourself, your money habits, and your wealth mindset. These books provide the knowledge you need, but it’s up to you to pave your own path to wealth. Start reading, start taking notes, start asking questions, start learning, and most importantly, start taking control of your financial future.
