Best Investment Books for Building Wealth (2023) - The STRIVE (2024)

If you’ve ever said to yourself, “I want to be rich”, then you’ll enjoy this page. But let’s be honest, we all want to become rich someday, right? Now, we don’t mean to be harsh, but statistically speaking, there is a good chance it’s going to be an uphill battle for you, especially if you don’t follow through on the suggestions in this article.

Now, we’re notsaying you’ll never be rich, or that you can’t be rich. Just that the odds are against the people who don’t seek out insights. So, it’s not for lack of opportunity, it’s just what the numbers show.

If You Want to Become Rich Someday, Keep Reading…

How do we know? Well, just look at what is one of the most popular reality T.V. shows of all time. It’s ‘Keeping up with the Kardashians’.

Every night on the tube, we watch with regularity, the lifestyles of the rich and the famous play out their lives on T.V. and we secretly imagine how great our lives would be if only we could be them.If only we could have what they have. If only, if only…..

And if it’s not happening on T.V., then it’s happening on YouTube. Too many of us spend countless hours glued to our screens, ogling at the rich or the entertaining, or infinitely scrolling through countless videos wishing we could be living similar lives.

We day-dream, fantasize, and imagine that someday we’ll be able to retire early, and live like a king or queen.

We watch commercials of either the young and vibrant new rich, or those grey-haired couples riding motorcycles together, smiling, and enjoying their time cruising along some random sunny coast in semi-retirement, and we think to ourselves, “Yeah, someday, I’ll be doing that.”

But chances are most people won’t, statistically speaking of course. Most people won’t because most people don’t have a plan.

All most people have, is a wish, a hope, a Hail Mary. The problem is, that too many people believe that someday, somehow, success, money, and comfort will just happen for them.

The Illusion

But this is an illusion.

It is mostly an illusion, because we all believe one thing, but statistics say another.

Statistics tell us, that the odds are most people who read this article won’t be getting rich any time soon. Here is why:

• According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 34.6% of Americans are saving for retirement in a 401(k)
• The median savings in the average retirement account was a measly $65,000.
• 75% of Americans have less than $10,000 saved up!
• The median bank account balance is only $5,300.

More: Scary Financial Statistics

Instead, most people will likely end up spending most of their money pretending to be rich.

Because when people don’t know how to get rich, they do the next best thing, and that is to pretend. Of course, this doesn’t have to be that way it is for people, or for you, it’s just the trend.

The average household carries a credit card debtbalance of $5,221.

In other words, the average household pretends $5K of their life away.

They pretend by spending all their money on clothes, cars, watches, shades, and all the other expensive items that “scream” to the world, look at me, “I am rich!”

And in so doing, they seal their fates. They perpetually create the conditions that will never allow them to actually become rich.

Why? Because they waste the very things that could have set them free.

Time and Money

When you try to keep up with the Kardashians, you waste precious time. When you try to keep up with the Joneses, you waste precious money.

If you are always watching the rich, you’ll never find time to learn how to actually become rich.

If you are always pretending to be rich, you’ll never use your money to do the things that will actually make you rich.

Related: Best Ben Franklin Quotes on The Way to Wealth

There is Still Hope

But all hope is not lost.

In fact, if you will but draw a line in the sand, and make up your mind to be more than the average now, so you can live above average later, you have a chance.

Is it as easy as just deciding? Yes.

But in your decision, you must also make up your mind to learn. You must commit to discovering “the secrets” on how you can use your money well. The odds are that you’ve probably already wasted tons of time, which means you have a lot ground to cover.

And that’s okay, better late than never.

Better Late Than Never

We all need a good starting place. So here is one. Books!

There are seven books that many people say they wish they had read immediately after graduating high school. We didn’t read them till years after college, and it cost us nearly hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Fortunately, these books found their way into our lives, and we devoured them. But we didn’t just devour them, we sought to put them to use.

And put them to use we did. The knowledge gained from these books propelled us into action. And action has lead to an ever-growing bank account.

These books can do the same for you.

Before we divulge the books you should read to get rich, it is important to understand that each is meant to inspire and educate. However, knowledge and inspiration alone won’t automatically get you the results you seek.

Why? Because good results only come with effective execution of what is learned. And execution is always an individual thing. In other words, the results are up to you.

So what are these books that will make you rich? Well, here they are, listed in an order that you may want to read them. By reading them in this order, you will create for yourself a strong financial foundation. A foundation that will allow you to start winning the money game.

Ready, set, here you go, the seven books you need to read, if you want to become rich someday.

BOOKS THAT WILL MAKE YOU RICH

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1. Richest Man In Babylon – George S. Clason

‘The Richest Man in Babylon‘ will teach you the basics of intelligent money management. If you follow the guidelines set out in this book, you will be doing yourself a huge favor.

The knowledge you gain from this book will be basic. But it will help you steer away from being like so many of your debt-ridden friends. This book will teach you the fundamentals. And just like athletes, you need to master the fundamentals before you can get to that next level.

By getting a good handle on this book, you will learn how to keep more of the money you make. You will also learn how to avoid losing it all. But most importantly, you will learn how to betterleverage what you save so it can grow.

The great thing about this book, is that the advice is provided in story form, and everybody loves a good story. Plus, a good story will help the lessons stick.

This book is a must read for every single person striving to improve their financial lives. In other words, it’s a book for everyone.

Next.

2. Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

Many people go through their lives hearing words like “money doesn’t grow on trees” almost daily while growing up, and they get convinced that having lots of money is just not in the cards for them. But if they read this book, Rich Dad Poor Dadby Robert Kiyosaki, they can quickly rewire that false financial programming.

This book has opened countless people’s eyes to the real possibilities of getting rich.

Now, a huge portion of this book educates the reader on how to stop thinking like just a worker bee, and instead, how to start thinking like an investor or a business owner.

The premise is that if you only think in terms of earning money for trading your time, you’ll limit your ability to get rich.

This book also helps drive the point home, that big (rich) money never comes from incremental growth. It always comes from either geometric or exponential growth. And these types of money gains can’t and never will come from just grinding it out a your J.O.B.

The insights are supremely helpful, and they’ll absolutely play a big role in helping you secure the right money mindset to you can secure a richer future for yourself.

Next.

3. The Millionaire Fast Lane – MJ Demarco

This next book is a highly informative book and should be read shortly after reading Rich Dad Poor Dad. The sooner you read this book, the quicker you’ll be able to set your big-money-making trajectory in the right direction.

‘The Millionaire Fast Lane’ leans towards business ownership to get rich. But, it also touches on other ways as well, including Real Estate.

By reading it early on, you can better decide what vehicle will better suite you on your journey to Moneyville (Real Estate or Entrepreneurship).

When you read this book, you’ll find that MJ Demarco is a great writer, and all his lessons pack a punch.

Much of his insights are powerful lessons on what it takes to make money fast. But beyond him actually giving us the keys, he makes a strong case for why we need to get started now, not later.

All in all, the book is a great teacher and a good guide to getting rich.

4. How to Get Rich – Felix Dennis

Felix Dennis wrote ‘How to Get Rich‘, and was the owner of many popular magazines, like Maxim and The Week. He made multiple millions of dollars, and in his book, he tells like it is. The great thing about his book, is he doesn’t sugarcoat anything. He tells the truth, which is exactly what you need if you want to become rich. You need the truth.

Felix also does a great job at filling us in on the perils of getting rich. He provides the best advice he could conjure up over his big-money-making career, and shares it with us brave souls willing to do whatever it takes to get rich.

That said, we highly recommend this book. It will help you establish the strong mindset you’ll need as you decide to embark upon your own journey to riches. So, If you want to become rich, read ‘How to Get Rich’, period.

5. The Millionaire Mind – Thomas J. Stanley

Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D. is the best selling author of ‘The Millionaire Next Door’ as well as this hard hitting gem of a book. ‘The Millionaire Mind’ is an insightful book, that provides well researched facts on exactly how the typical millionaire thinks, what they care about, how they conduct themselves, and even how most of them make their millions (industry & habits).

Of course, you won’t automatically become a millionaire by just reading this book, but you will give your self a massive head start over the competition who don’t. At the very least, applying what you learn from this book will help you get richer.

So, if you’re looking for a collection of maps for how many millionaires found their riches, reading this book is a must.

Related: How to Make Money While You Sleep

6. The Simple Path To Wealth – J.L. Collins

This book by J.L. Collins is the perfect addition to this list of books to get rich. His books is easy to read and provides simple, yet powerful insights on how anyone can get rich and build significant wealth over time by following his extremely easy to apply and simple steps to investing.

It’s not a technical book, but it provides a simple philosophy to investing that can help you beat the performance of most active traders when you start investing your money in the stock market.

So, do yourself a favor and add this book to your list of books that can get you rich, because, it truly is an effective road map for achieving financial independence and creating a rich and free life for yourself.

7. Think and Grow Rich – Napoleon Hill

This last an final book is last on the list, but it is by no means the least important. This book by Napoleon Hill is in fact one of the most important books you can read to get rich, especially if you are of the mindset that riches, wealth, and success is something that is not obtainable for you.

In fact, if you have a doubting mindset, or one that thinks that riches is only something that is obtainable by the lucky or elite few, then this book is a must read, and should actually be read more than once.

Think and Grow Rich is a classic, and it will help you mold your mindset, and your actions into the type that is required to create riches for yourself.

Bonus Book – The Science of Getting Rich

Okay, here’s a quick bonus. This book is old, but it is extremely value. The material within this book has influenced countless books on money and success.

Some of those books are classics like the one just mentioned, as well as other extremely popular books, like ‘The Secret’ and ‘The Master Key System’.

That said, The Science of Getting Rich is worth the read if you have the time. You won’t be sorry.

Related: Get Rich Quotes

Final Thoughts on Becoming Rich

Before we wrap things up, here’s an important thought to consider about getting rich…

“Everybody Wants to be Rich, Until It’s Time To Do What The Rich and Wealthy Do.”

Meaning…

All too many of us know what we are supposed to do to become rich. But when it comes down to actually implementing the self-control and discipline to do what is necessary, we don’t do it. So, can reading books make you rich? No, not by reading alone. But, if your reading is backed up with action, then YES!

How do we know? We know because the rich read books. We know they study money making trends, and ideas. And we also know they don’t obsess over celebrities, and definitely not over their neighbors.

The rich are just like you, they dream, scheme, and strategize, but what sets them apart, is they learn and then they go do.

Nothing is ever too much effort for the rich. They don’t ever take easy street, and they never distract themselves with endless consumerism and entertainment.

So what about you? Do youwant to become rich someday? If yes, then you know what you need to do.

The days of pretending to be rich are over. Instead of striving to impress others, strive to impress your financial planner, better yet, strive to impress yourself.

Start with taking those first steps, and then those next natural steps.

The first steps are simple:

1. Turn off your T.V.
2. Stop Playing Keep Up With the Kardashians (Joneses).
3. Educate Yourself, Starting with These Five Books.
4. Take Determined Action Like Your Life Depends Upon It. Because It Does!
5. Keep Educating Yourself.
6. Don’t Become a Statistic, Stop Wasting Precious Time. Keep Taking Action.
7. Become Rich

To open up new possibilities for your financial future, you need to read these books.

Keep in mind, that these are just a few of the books you need to read to be rich. It’s a starting point, not a panacea.

And after you read these books, you must apply, apply, apply.

If you do, you’ll have a real shot at becoming rich.

If you don’t, you’ll become a statistic, so get off your couch and go try!

Till you reach your aims,

STRIVE

PS – There a many ways to become rich, and reading books that will make you rich will helps, so long as you apply their knowledge. Of course, if you’re looking for a shortcut, this article on how to become rich and successful and this one on how to get rich with a normal job may shave a decade or so off of your journey.