If you’ve been an avid reader of The Wicked Wallet then you know how much we promote self education. We want 2020 to be your year for education and action. In this article, we will share some of our favorite finance books, blogs, and podcasts that we think you should dive into in 2020.
The ability to learn and digest information is an extremely powerful skill. Access to information has never been easier. With the internet at our fingertips, we can download any book, subscribe to any podcast, and visit any website in a matter of seconds. I want you to realize how great of an opportunity self education can be. With self education you can seriously differentiate yourself from your peers and build skills that can benefit you professionally and financially.
Finance Books for 2020
Most of these books have been around for awhile and are updated over time. However in my opinion, all of these books will help advance your financial literacy and money consciousness. If you’re looking for even more book recommendations then check out our Reading List.
I will Teach You To Be Rich – Ramit Sethi
If you think that all books on personal finance are boring then you haven’t read, I Will Teach You To Be Rich. Ramit is a fantastic author who writes about boring finance in a personal, easy-to-understand way.
In this book, you will learn Ramit’s 6-week program to get your finances under control. One of my favorite things about this book is that Ramit speaks to readers at all levels of personal finance. For instance, Ramit discusses the investment steps a beginner should take and then goes on to discuss more advanced steps after you’ve covered the basics.
If you’re interested in broadening your personal finance knowledge and taking control of your finances then definitely read this book.
Your Money Or Your Life – Vicki Robin
Vicki Robin is arguably the pioneer of the financial freedom movement. In 1992, the first edition of Your Money or Your Life was released and it was a hit. 26 years later in 2018, Vicki decided that it was time to update/revise the old version to keep up with the new ages.
In Your Money Or Your Life, you will learn Vicki’s 9 steps to transforming your relationship with money and achieving financial freedom. This book is great for beginners who are looking for simple steps to get their finances in order.
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki
One of the most highly regarded financial literacy books, Rich Dad Poor Dad should be at the top of your reading list. Rich Dad Poor Dad will provide you with a general understanding of investing, building wealth, and financial independence.
The author, Robert Kiyosaki, shares his experience growing up with one dad who was not financially savvy and one dad who was. The lessons he shares will teach you how to set up your financial future.
The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas Stanley
The Millionaire Next Door is a phenomenal book that provides real information on what it takes to become a millionaire. In this book, Thomas Stanley analyzes 20 years of data collected from millionaires.
After reading this book you’ll realize that becoming a millionaire is more tangible than you think. The case studies in this book will show you that being in control of your finances can take you to that next level of wealth.
A Random Walk Down Wall Street – Gordon Malkiel
This book is slightly more advanced and is for those who want a better understanding of investment strategies and the data behind it. Be warned though, some of the chapters are quite analytical and can be difficult to understand without prior subject knowledge.
Gordon Malkiel argues that the best long-term strategy for your portfolio is to invest in index funds and he provides the research to back it up.
For more information on index funds, check out this article!
Set For Life – Scott Trench
Set For Life is one of my all time favorite personal finance books. Scott Trench is the CEO of BiggerPockets and the author of Set For Life. In his book, you will learn the steps that you need to take in order to reach financial independence.
Scott breaks down the basics of saving, investing, reducing expenses, and paying off debt. He discusses the benefits of house hacking, different retirement accounts, index fund investing and so much more. Scott’s book is truly inspirational and is a must read for those seeking financial independence.
Finance Blogs for 2020
Would it be biased of me to list thewickedwallet.com and move on to the next section? Yeah, I figured it would be. If I’m being honest there are a ton of personal finance sites out there that share the same information. What separates the blogs below from others that aren’t listed is the quality of the content and how that information is conveyed. These are the blogs that I believe you should keep up with in 2020.
Mr. Money Mustache
MMM is a well known finance blog created by Peter Adeney who was able to retire from his 9-5 at the age of 30. If you have any interest in the FIRE movement (Financial Independence Retire Early) then MMM is a great resource.
Mr. Money Mustache was one of the first influential finance blogs that I discovered. Peter’s FI (financial independence) story is inspirational and he lays out the steps & strategies that you need to take in order to reach the same goal. If you’re looking to retire early then definitely give this blog a read.
Four Pillar Freedom
Four Pillar Freedom is a great finance blog that was created by a gentleman named Zach. Zach was able to save $100k by the age of 24 and leave his full time job as a data scientist at 25 in order to full time blog.
Four Pillar Freedom is based on the 4 pillars that Zach believes anyone can use to grow wealth and gain freedom 1) philosophy, 2) psychology, 3) work ethic, and 4) finance. One of my favorite things about this blog is that Zach keeps it real and plays no gimmicks. His goal is to help you grow your wealth and gain freedom. This is definitely a blog you should check out in 2020.
Millennial Money
Grant Sabatier is the creator of Millennial Money and the author of the book, Financial Freedom. Grant is a straight shooter with a passion for personal finance and financial freedom.
On Millennial Money you can read all about Grants financial independence journey and how he went from having $2.26 in his bank account to over $1,000,000 in just 6 years. His story is truly inspiring and you can see his passion for personal finance in the way he writes.
Millennial Money is a great read for all things finance for people at all levels of expertise.
The White Coat Investor
This blog is targeted at high net worth medical professionals who are looking to learn more about personal finance. Contrary to popular belief not all doctors are wealthy. Many have huge amounts of student loan debt and others simply were never taught how to properly manage their money.
If you fall into this niche of professionals then this blog is definitely for you and worth your time in 2020.
Finance Podcasts to Tune Into in 2020
If you don’t have the time to sit down and read a book or blog post then podcasts are your bread and butter. These are 4 podcasts that you should be listening to in 2020.
Afford Anything
One of our all time favorite bloggers/podcasters/extraordinaire, Paula Pant is the host of the Afford Anything podcast. The mantra of the Afford Anything podcast is that you can afford anything, but not everything.
Topics such as real estate investing, early retirement, money management, paying down debt, and pretty much anything else finance related are discussed heavily. One thing I enjoy about this podcast is that the structure of each episode is different.
Sometimes Paula will interview guests, sometimes she soley answers listener questions, and sometimes she’ll dedicate an entire show to one topic. I find this variety keeps the show more interesting and keeps me more engaged.
The Afford Anything podcast is perfect for all listeners and I guarantee you will learn something.
Mad Fientist – Financial Independence
The Financial Independence podcast is created and hosted by the Mad Fientist aka Brandon. Brandon was a former software engineer and was able to achieve financial independence at the age of 34.
On this podcast you will hear interviews from successful FI people. The first episode is with Mr. Money Mustache discussing how early retirement is easier than it sounds, and the most recent episode is with Scott Young the author of Ultra Learning.
The Mad Fientist podcast never fails to have interesting people on his show.
Smart Passive Income
Number 3 on our list of podcasts is Smart Passive Income. This podcast is hosted by Pat Flynn and takes you inside the minds of some of the top entrepreneurs in business. Some of the guests on the show include Gary Vaynerchuck, Tim Ferris, and Chalene Johnson.
If you have an entrepreneurial spirit then this podcast is sure to light a fire under you in 2020.
The College Investor
Last, but not least is The College Investor podcast. This podcast is hosted by Robert Farrington and is targeted at millennials.
In this show you, can expect topics such as student loan management, side hustles, investing, and building wealth. One thing that I enjoy about this podcast that’s different from the others is the short form content.
These podcast shows are generally between 5-10 minutes long which makes it the perfect show to listen to when you don’t have a lot of time.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! These are some of the top finance books, blogs, and podcasts that will increase your financial literacy.
Remember that knowledge is power, but it’s what you do with that knowledge that makes the difference. Which means that you should learn as much as you can and take action on what you learn. 2020 is going to be your year! đŸ˜„
For more wicked reads check out these articles:
