The Best Personal Finance Books For Women

First of all, why do women need different personal finance books than men? If you’re asking that, it’s a perfectly valid question. Money doesn’t care about gender. And if you’re a woman you can absolutely read all the same personal finance books your husband, dad or brother does.

However, with money – as with so much else – if we ignore gender completely we’re ignoring centuries of social history, patterns passed down from generation to generation, and a social landscape where women are still statistically more likely to earn less, invest less, retire with less, and generally be encouraged to take less responsibility for their own finances.

So yes, if you’re a woman, it may be worth looking at personal finance from a different perspective. Let’s take a look at a few books that will help.

Women & Money by Suze Orman

Suze Orman was one of the original female finance gurus, rising to fame with TV appearances on Oprah, and other high profile platforms. Her book covers true life stories of all the smart, capable (anonymous) women she’s known who have been hopeless with finances, due to external cultural and social factors as well as the practicalities that limit women’s earning power over time.

The practical advice in the new, updated version of the book centers around Orman’s brand new Financial Empowerment Plan, aimed to help women get to a place of financial security as quickly as possible, because we all know that time is a commodity that is often scarcer for women.

Girls That Invest: Your Guide to Financial Independence through Shares and Stocks by Simran Kaur

The stock market doesn’t care about your gender, so why do women invest differently (and generally less aggressively) than men? Again, we’re looking at a long social and cultural history that has resulted in a climate where many heterosexual women in particular still tend to let their husband or partner take care of the investing.

In this book, Kaur gives women the tools they need to build confidence when it comes to investing, including decoding the jargon, understanding diversification and exploring different strategies to find out what fits your own objectives and appetite for risk.

Wealth Secrets: A Woman’s Guide To Own And Secure Your Financial Future by Deborah Owens

Deborah Owens is known for taking a unique perspective when it comes to personal finance, with a focus not only on helping women, but specifically underprivileged women and women of color.

Her advice might not resonate with every woman, and certainly not with the average male personal finance guru, but for those it’s actually aimed at, it’s invaluable. Owens both acknowledges the fact that the current system favors the already-wealthy, and teaches those born without the privilege of inherited wealth how to reach financial independence.

Get Rich Lucky Bitch: Release Your Money Blocks and Live a First Class Life by Denise Duffield-Thomas

I first came across Denise Duffield-Thomas when she was encouraging women to make a Lucky Bitch List. A traditional gratitude list with an extra dose of attitude. This is a book that really focuses on mindset, releasing mental blocks about money, and (to a certain extent) manifestation. I used to turn my nose up at manifesting, as I guess many more practical money-minded people do, but I’ve since had a re-think.

Manifestation is about focus, and we all know that where you put your focus is generally where you put your energy, research, ideas and actions. There’s a reason everyone from Napoleon Hill to this author believe you can think yourself rich.

Worth It: Your Life, Your Money, Your Terms by Amanda Steinberg

Steinberg has produced a book that beautifully addresses the complicated relationship between money, self-worth, and women. A more general book than some of the others on this list, this one covers all the basics that women of any age and life stage might need to address, from debt management to retirement planning and investing.

What is does well is look at the emotional relationship with money that many – though certainly not all – women have. A good one for the many moms, wives, daughters, and partners for whom prioritizing our financial needs doesn’t come naturally.

The Fiscal Feminist: A Financial Wake-up Call for Women by Kimberlee Davis

Davis is a successful wealth manager and host of the Fiscal Feminist podcast, and she’s here to help women achieve and maintain their financial wellness, make career choices aligned with their financial goals, money-proof their relationships and secure your financial future.

Finances have always been a feminist issue, from way back when women were legally prohibited from fully partaking in economic life. In modern times the inequalities are more nuanced, which is why it’s more imperative than ever for women to address them.

Women With Money: The Judgment-Free Guide To Creating The Joyful, Less Stressed, Purposeful (And, Yes, Rich) Life You Deserve By Jean Chatzky

Chatzky’s book perhaps addresses better than most why women need their own take on personal finance. In this one you’ll be exploring some tactical solutions for issues not always addressed in general get-rich-quick books, including getting paid what you’re worth, using money to foster secure relationships, raising independent and confident children (and sending them to college), caring for aging parents, and leaving a legacy.

Your Money Or Your Life: 9 Steps To Transforming Your Relationship With Money And Achieving Financial Independence by Vicki Robin And Joe Dominguez

We all know that it’s possible to devote yourself to wealth-building at the expense of living an awesome life. This book is about balancing both, and connecting your money (and your spending) with your values.

It’s also about learning a valuable lesson that I spend a lot of time writing about: Ultimately, and often, less is better. While not aimed exclusively at women, a couple of the smart women I know recommended this book to me, and I can see why.

Have a favorite finance book for women? Feel free to share.

Karen Banes is a freelance writer specializing in entrepreneurship, parenting and lifestyle. She writes articles, website content, ebooks and the occasional award winning short story. Her work has appeared in a range of publications both online and off, including The Washington Post, Life Info Magazine, Transitions Abroad, Brave New Traveler, Natural Parenting Group, and Copia Magazine.

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