10 Money Mindset Books You Should Read
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Is money a constant struggle? Does it feel like there’s never enough? Or maybe you swing wildly between having plenty and then scraping to get by. Whatever your particular challenge, you’re not alone if money causes you more stress than joy.
I help women overcome their limiting beliefs, and scarcity thinking is among the most common. If you’re ready to change your thinking about (and relationship with) money, these money mindset books can help.(Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning—at no additional cost to you—I’ll get earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.)
“Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” by Denise Duffield-Thomas
Unlock your hidden potential for abundance with sassy and smart advice from Denise Duffield-Thomas. She’s a bit more “woo” than me, so this book really dives into the idea of manifesting. But Denise tells it like it is, so I still highly recommend it even for practical-minded folks.
She says the reason women most settle for pennies instead of embracing true wealth isn’t not because they’re not smart or ambitious. It’s because they’ve been programmed to block wealth with guilt, shame, or embarrassment. Even if you’re unaware of these blocks and fears, she says, you’re probably not earning what you’re really worth.
“You can be richer starting today, if you’re brave enough to define exactly what you want.”
“You Are a Badass at Making Money” by Jen Sincero
There’s plenty of adult language in this book, but if you don’t mind that then you’ll likely enjoy Jen Sincero’s humor and honesty. This is her manifesto on money, and why each of us deserves to make more of it.
This book is much more of a pep talk than a practical guide. Don’t turn here for step-by-step tips or exercises (that’s where my Money Mindset Crash Course can help), but use it for inspiration and motivation.
“You can have excuses or you can have success; you can’t have both.”
“Secrets of the Millionaire Mind” by T. Harv Eker
We each have a personal money blueprint ingrained in our subconscious minds, and it determines our financial lives.
Eker explains how your childhood influences have shaped your financial destiny, how to identify your blueprint, and how to revise it to create success. He also shares the 17 ways rich people think and act differently than most poor and middle-class people, including action steps you can practice to increase your income.
“It’s not enough to be in the right place at the right time. You have to be the right person in the right place at the right time.”
Pep talks, manifesting, and inspirational stories aren’t enough to make lasting changes to your money mindset. I believe you also need to learn how to actually manage your money. After all, what good is attracting more wealth if you don’t know how to keep it?
In this book, you’ll get practical tips for ditching debt, saving money, and building wealth. Learn how to do things like build a budget (and stick with it), keep your credit in check, build a nest egg, and generally be accountable for your financial well-being.
“Yes, it’s important to dream—and to dream big at that—but there’s a difference between having your dreams become your reality and having your dreams stay out of reach: being specific with what you want out of life.”
“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz
Like the last book, this one is about how to smartly handle your money. I implemented this financial accounting method in my business in 2019 and it not only made me feel like a badass CEO, it helped me dramatically increase my profit margin (ie, helped me make/keep more money).
It takes some work to put this system into action. In fact, it’s a giant pain in the ass. But I *PROMISE* you that it is worth the effort. This is one of the most important and powerful things I’ve ever done in my 15+ years of self-employment.
“A financially healthy company is a result of a series of small daily financial wins, not one big moment. Profitability isn’t an event; it’s a habit.”
“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks
No list of mindset books is complete without “The Big Leap.” I believe it’s the first book anyone should read when working on their mindset.
This book can help you create a major perspective shift. You’ll learn about the four most common fears that hold us back, and begin to understand how you can push beyond them to achieve your full potential in work, relationships, finance, and all other walks of life.
“If I cling to the notion that something’s not possible, I’m arguing in favor of limitation. And if I argue for my limitations, I get to keep them.”
“Mindset” by Carol Dweck
Believing you can earn unlimited money is a great example of a growth mindset. Sadly, many of us instead inherited fixed mindsets that are certain we lack some special something required to make more.
This book explains the difference between the fixed and growth mindsets, and offers ideas for how to shift your own. It’s a must-read for parents who don’t want to pass their own limited thinking onto their children.
“The growth mindset allows people to value what they’re doing regardless of the outcome . They’re tackling problems, charting new courses, working on important issues.”
“The Power of Broke” by Daymond John
Money mindset work is generally focused on thinking and acting wealthy. But I like adding in this perspective on the importance of staying hungry. It’s not about fostering a poverty mindset, but instead about thinking outside the box to make more out of limited circumstances.
John says this type of thinking is what allowed him to turn a $40 t-shirt business into a $6 billion company. If you’re like me, you find more inspiration from a “pull myself up by my boostraps” story than a “think happy thoughts” pep talk.
“Life is like business, 20% of what happens to you is 80% of how you react.”
“The Wealth Choice” by Dennis Kimbro
The money mindset discussion is dominated by white voices and marginalized people are, once again, pushed to the margins. It needs to stop, and that’s one reason I love this book.
Based on a 7-year study of 1,000 of the wealthiest African Americans, this book offers a trove of sound and surprising advice about climbing the economic ladder, even when the odds seem stacked against you. Learn how business leaders, entrepreneurs, and celebrities found their paths to wealth; what they did or didn’t learn about money early on; what they had to sacrifice to get to the top; and the role of discipline in managing their success.
“Our todays are what our yesterdays made them; our tomorrows must inevitably be the product of our todays.”
“Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill
Speaking of white people dominating the money mindset discussion…the “founding father” of the manifesting movement is Napoleon Hill. This is one of the books that started it all so, while it’s written by an old white dude, it’s worth reading.
“You are the master of your destiny. You can influence, direct and control your own environment. You can make your life what you want it to be.”
