10 Money Mindset Books You Should Read

“Women, Money, Power” by Josie Clark

First and foremost, women need to remember that money is about way more than mindset. There are very real systemic issues that inform our access to, experience of, and relationship with money. It’s important to acknowledge that reality before digging into books about mindset. Start with “Women, Money, Power” by Josie Clark.

Learn about the social and political hurdles that have kept women from financial equality ​and the work that remains to be done. Also, be sure to subscribe to Clark’s newsletter by the same name for even more incredible education.

“Money Out Loud” by Berna Anat

If you are a woman, especially a woman of color, who feels lost when it comes to money matters — you are not alone! Unfortunately, most of us never learn about budgeting, credit, debt, savings, etc. It’s not taught to us at school, and society still acts as though money matters are best left to men. Fuck that. 

In the illustrated, deeply unserious “Money Out Loud” by Berna Anat (aka the Financial Hype Woman), you get an easy-to-understand guide to the basics of money. And there’s no shame in needing to start at square one! In addition to the abc’s of saving and spending, she also talks about trauma and money habits, and building wealth to make your dreams a reality.

“Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” by Denise Duffield-Thomas

Unlock your hidden potential for abundance with sassy and smart advice in “Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” by 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.

“To Sell is Human” by Daniel Pink

Business owners who want to make more money have to first get over their fears around selling. Developing a sales mindset is possible for anyone, and one way is to reconsider how you think about selling. It doesn’t have to be sleazy! In fact, selling is a very human thing to do (and, you’re already doing it every day).

In “To Sell is Human,” Daniel Pink draws on social science for his counterintuitive insights. He reveals the new ABCs of moving others (hint: it’s not “Always Be Closing”), explains why extroverts don’t make the best salespeople, and describes the six successors to the elevator pitch. Get ready to have your understanding of sales flipped on its head.

“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz

“Profit First” by Mike Michalowicz is all about how to smartly handle your money. I implemented this financial accounting method in my business in 2019 and it made me feel like a badass CEO. Better yet, it helped me dramatically increase my profit margin (ie, helped me keep more of what I earn).

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 nearly 20 years of self-employment.

“Financial Feminist” by Tori Dunlap

“Burnout” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski

Not specifically about money, but “Burnout” by Emily and Amelia Nagoski needs to be on any list of mindset books. It’s particularly important when talking about money because it addresses the burnout that happens from hyper-productivity—and hustle culture is very much part of many people’s relationship with money.

This book will help you learn how to recognize signs of stress (like those that can come up when working to earn money or even just when thinking about your finances). And it will give you incredibly useful tools for managing those feelings in the moment, before they can spiral and cause mental, emotional, and physical harm. This is the book I’ve recommended to more of my clients than any other.

“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks

“The Big Leap” by Gay Hendricks was the first mindset book to begin shifting my own ability to dream bigger (and to recognize the trauma that had held me back from doing so). Of course, it’s a book written by a older white man with lots of privilege, so please keep that in mind! 

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.

“The Whiteness of Wealth” by Dorothy Brown

Unpacking privilege is a really important part of developing a healthy money mindset (and not perpetuating racist ideas about meritocracy). A groundbreaking exposé, “The Whiteness of Wealth” by Dorothy Brown draws on decades of research to show that tax law is racist.

American tax law rewards the preferences and practices of white people while pushing Black people further behind. From attending college to getting married to buying a home, Black Americans find themselves at a financial disadvantage compared to their white peers. The results are an ever-increasing wealth gap. This book points to a better future.

“How to Be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century” by Erik Olin Wright

Capitalism has created enormous human suffering … and, we cannot escape it. If you’re like me, however, you dream of another way (one that honors our full humanity, not one that wants to turn us into productivity machines). One of the first steps in creating that new world is to paint a clear picture of how it might look, and that’s why this book is on the list.

In “How to Be an Anti-Capitalist in the 21st Century” by Erik Olin Wright, you’ll find a tightly argued manifesto that analyzes the varieties of anti-capitalism, assesses different strategic approaches, and lays the foundations for a society dedicated to human flourishing.