As an author, It take a lot to make it on a book list that I endorse. This is that list. These books are those that I would recommend to family and close friends if they had limited time to read. The list is comprised of three absolute read books that have made a difference in my life. Enjoy!
Book: Keys to a Successful Retirement
This is one of my favorite retirement books, because it doesn’t overly obsess about money. Don’t get me wrong, money is an important part to retirement, but it is only one of several “Keys.” If you master the others, then you can retire with far less money and still enjoy a happy and fulfilling retirement.
Keys to a Successful Retirement focuses on: planning, vision, relationships, experiences and lifestyle. It notably avoids the typical monetary world of retirement. There is no discussion about asset allocation, RVs, boats, vacation homes or how to get upgraded to business class using points and status.
The best part about this book is that it is easy to read and can be read cover to cover in a few hours. You won’t put down the book looking for a deeper meaning, it is exactly what the cover says it is.
Book: The One Week Financial Budget (as mentioned on the video, Just in Time Retirement Planning).
If you are looking for a simple and powerful book on setting up and maintaining a retirement budget, this one is the one you probably want. The One Week Financial Budget will take you from where you are now, probably trying to figure it all out, but not making the right decisions, to getting crystal clear about what you need, what you want and everything in between.
This book is about making the best choices for you, setting up a system that will allow you to pay your bill on time every time and moving on with you life instead of obsessing over what you spend you money on. If you are looking for a great budgeting book, this is one of only two that I recommend (the other is out of print)…
Book: The Millionaire Next Door
I put this on the list knowing that if there is one book you have probably already read, this is it. Still, if you haven’t read The Millionaire Next Door you absolutely should. In a world where books are overhyped with clickbait and false promises, this one over delivers.
The book identifies seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated wealth, and as the book points out most of the truly wealthy in this country don’t live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue-they live next door. They drive late model American automobiles, live in modest homes in safe neighborhoods, and think about money the way it should be thought of, as a tool to a better life.
