Welcome to this week’s edition of our Tuesday Top 5, Econ4U’s weekly tips post to help you manage your money in five easy steps.
Amazon.com may be the best thing that ever happened to those of us who don’t want to be seen perusing the self-help section of the local bookstore. If you’re in need of a money makeover, these bestsellers can point you in the right direction.
- The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton. This no-nonsense guide shows that even blue-collar workers can fill their piggybanks to bursting — all it takes to start is saving 10 percent of your income for the long term.
- Smart Women Finish Rich by David Bach. Here’s one for the ladies: Women are statistically more likely to let the men in their lives handle the money, but this unintimidating book shows that financial savvy can be empowering.
- The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko. The secret to getting rich is not frittering your money away on the trappings of wealth, write Stanley and Danko, who extensively surveyed people with more than $1 million in the bank.
- Your Money and Your Man by Michelle Singletary. This book is a must-read for any couple combining their finances. Singletary spells out the three C’s — communication, compromise, and common goals — that will help you avoid endlessly fighting over money.
- Pay Yourself First by Jesse B. Brown. Written for an African-American audience, this book explains how to get and stay out of debt, start investing, and avoid financial pitfalls (especially if you make less than $30,000 per year).
