Best Investing Books: 14-Day Challenge to Build Wealth & Financial Freedom

Want to grow your wealth and make smarter investments? This 14-day challenge walks you through the best investing books, teaching you time-tested principles for financial success.

Day 1

"The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel is about how our money and financial decisions are often determined by psychological factors such as ego, emotions, and biases.

He argues that making good financial decisions and building wealth is less about gaining financial expertise, and more about cultivating qualities like patience, humility, and long-term thinking.

"There is no reason to risk what you have and need for what you don’t have and don’t need." —Morgan Housel

Why read it?

After reading "The Psychology of Money" by Morgan Housel, I've gained incredible insights into how our emotions and biases significantly shape our financial decisions, often more than we realize.

It's not just about numbers and strategies; it's about understanding ourselves.

Housel uses engaging stories and examples that made me rethink my relationship with money.

I recommend this book because it's not just about getting rich; it's about cultivating a healthier, more self-aware approach to managing your finances and life.

It's a must-read for anyone looking to navigate the complex world of money with a clearer mind.

Day 2

The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins offers straightforward advice on achieving financial independence through saving, investing, and avoiding debt.

It simplifies complex financial concepts, advocating for investing in low-cost index funds and the importance of financial freedom.

"Stop thinking about what your money can buy. Start thinking about what your money can earn." —JL Collins

Why read it?

Having read "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins, I've been enlightened on how straightforward building wealth can be.

Collins demystifies investing and makes financial independence seem achievable, even for those who feel lost in the world of finance.

His emphasis on low-cost index funds and living below your means resonated with me deeply.

I recommend this book because it's more than just financial advice; it's a roadmap to a stress-free financial life.

Whether you're just starting or looking to refine your financial strategy, this book is a beacon of clarity.

Plus, this is Reddit’s #1 recommended personal finance book today.

You can’t argue with the internet, right? 👽

Day 3

"The Millionaire Next Door" by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko reveals a surprising truth: most millionaires don’t flash their wealth—they quietly build it.

They live in ordinary neighbourhoods, make smart financial choices, and follow simple, consistent habits.

This book uncovers how they do it—and how you can too.

"Wealth is more often the result of a lifestyle of hard work, perseverance, planning, and, most of all, self-discipline." —Thomas J. Stanley

Why read it?

You should read The Millionaire Next Door if you're interested in understanding the real behaviors and habits that lead to accumulating wealth.

This book breaks down compelling research that demystifies the common perceptions of millionaires, revealing that true financial success often comes from living below one's means, investing wisely, and avoiding consumerism.

Day 4

"Rich Dad Poor Dad" by Robert Kiyosaki shares financial secrets that rich people teach their kids about money, investing, and building wealth.

You'll learn how to make money work for you in smart ways, like by investing and owning businesses.

This approach is contrasted to the more traditional path of relying on a job and paycheck.

"The poor and the middle class work for money. The rich have money work for them." —Robert Kiyosaki

Why read it?

This book shows you why making money isn't just about getting a paycheck—it's also about finding smart ways to make your money work for you.

Why is this book so popular?

Because financial concepts are usually pretty boring, but Kiyosaki makes financial literacy fun by illustrating important ideas with stories from his childhood.

Day 5

Zero to One is about the future of technology and a guide for startup business founders.

Peter Thiel is a billionaire entrepreneur and investor that shares many unconventional ideas.

He says entrepreneurs should avoid competition.

Instead build a (legal) monopoly selling something completely new and incomparable.

"The perfect target market for a startup is a small group of particular people concentrated together and served by few or no competitors." —Peter Thiel

Why read it?

If you're trying to come up with an innovative new business idea, or if you're struggling to stay afloat in an overcrowded market, Peter Thiel's "Zero to One" may be your life jacket.

Peter Thiel, the entrepreneur and investor behind major names like PayPal, Facebook and Palantir — challenges us to think about creating something so unique it goes from zero (nonexistent) to one (the first of its kind).

This isn't about following trends; it's about setting them.

This book urges you to look where others don't and think differently. 🏆

Day 6

"The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason offers timeless financial wisdom through parables from ancient Babylon, focusing on principles such as saving 10% of your income, living within your means, and avoiding get-rich-quick schemes.

The book champions the concept of "paying yourself first" by setting aside at least 10% of your income before paying any expenses.

"A part of all I earn is mine to keep." —George S. Clason

Why read it?

After reading "The Richest Man in Babylon," the principle of "paying yourself first" truly resonated with me.

This idea of automatically saving a portion of your income before anything else has shifted the way I manage my finances.

It’s a small change that can make a huge difference in your financial journey.

The stories, set in ancient times, brilliantly illustrate how such a simple habit can lead to lasting wealth and financial independence.

The book’s advice is straightforward but powerful, teaching not just to save, but to actively invest in our future selves.

It's inspiring to see how applicable these ancient principles are today, and I can't recommend this book enough to anyone looking to improve their financial health.

It's kind of like hearing life lessons from a wise and wealthy grandfather, but with more camels. 🐪

Day 7

The Black Swan is about understanding unpredictable extreme events like the 9/11 attacks, rise of the internet, and stock market crashes.

Nassim Taleb says we are unprepared for the next big event like this because we rely too much on incomplete theories, limited models and flimsy historical narratives.

"Years ago, I noticed one thing about economics, and that is that economists didn't get anything right." —Nassim Taleb
Day 8

Fooled by Randomness is full of ideas for finance and investing that go against what most people practice.

Taleb says randomness controls our lives more than we think, but we can learn tools to protect against life's uncertainty.

"Remember that nobody accepts randomness in his own success, only his failure." —Nassim Taleb
Day 9

Thinking, Fast and Slow explains how people make decisions using two mental systems: "fast" thinking is instinctive and emotional, while "slow" thinking is deliberate and logical.

Daniel Kahneman helps us understand our when our mind fall into common biases and irrational shortcuts, so we can make better decisions in the future.

"A reliable way to make people believe in falsehoods is frequent repetition, because familiarity is not easily distinguished from truth." —Daniel Kahneman
Day 10

"The Total Money Makeover" by Dave Ramsey is a step-by-step guide aimed at helping individuals overhaul their financial situation through debt elimination, savings, and investment.

Ramsey introduces his seven "Baby Steps" to achieve financial health, emphasizing aggressive debt repayment, building an emergency fund, and investing for the future.

"If you will live like no one else, later you can live like no one else." —Dave Ramsey

Why read it?

After reading Dave Ramsey's book, I was inspired to take control of my finances like never before.

Ramsey's straightforward, no-excuses approach to managing money, coupled with his practical Baby Steps, can turn what may feel like overwhelming battle against debt into a clear, achievable path to financial freedom.

This book helped me to not only reconsider my spending habits but also to make real, impactful changes in my financial life.

If you're feeling stuck in a cycle of debt and financial stress, I highly recommend giving this book a read.

There’s nothing complicated about Dave Ramsey's advice, folks!

He just provides us with a common sense financial plan that works—if we’re willing to work the plan! 💪

Day 11

"Your Money or Your Life" by Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez is about transforming your relationship with money to achieve financial independence and a meaningful life.

The book introduces a nine-step program that encourages readers to examine their money habits, reduce waste, and align their spending with their values and life goals.

It emphasizes mindfulness in finance, the importance of saving, and finding fulfillment beyond consumerism.

"Money is something we choose to trade our life energy for. (...) Life energy is all we have. It is precious because it is limited and irretrievable and because our choices about how we use it express the meaning and purpose of our time on Earth." —Joe Dominguez

Why read it?

Reading "Your Money or Your Life" completely shifted my perspective on what it means to be wealthy and happy.

This book isn't just about saving money; it's about finding a deeper sense of purpose and fulfillment through mindful spending and living.

Vicki Robin and Joe Dominguez offer practical, thoughtful advice that challenged me to evaluate not just my finances, but how I spend my life energy.

It's empowering to see money as a tool for creating a life that truly reflects my values.

I recommend this book to anyone who feels caught in the cycle of earning and spending without feeling fulfilled.

These authors are like financial therapists, helping us let go of our old guilt around money, while crafting a plan to change our lives. 👩‍⚕️👨‍⚕️

Day 12

Unshakeable is Tony Robbin's guide to simple investing.

He shows us how to achieve financial freedom and security.

You'll learn about smart investing tools like index funds, compound interest and diversification.

You'll also see how to avoid losing money due to fees and fear.

"Nobody can predict consistently whether the market will rise or fall." —Tony Robbins
Day 13

Millionaire Teacher explains how to start investing as a middle-class person so you could retire a millionaire.

Andrew Hallam, who was a Canadian English teacher, explains how to save more money through extreme frugality and where to put our savings for the most dependable growth. (Hint: index funds.)

"The surest way to grow rich over time is to start by spending a lot less than you make." —Andrew Hallam
Day 14

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John C. Bogle explains a simple investing strategy that can grow your money while minimizing risk.

Instead of trying to pick winning stocks, Bogle says you should invest in the entire stock market through low-cost index funds.

It’s an easier and lower-risk way to grow your wealth over time, highly recommended by Warren Buffet and countless experts.

"" —John Bogle

Why read it?

You need to read this book—it's a classic that anyone can learn from, whether you're new to investing or experienced.

It’s easy to understand and explains the stock market and investing clearly for beginners, with plenty of historical data to back it up. These are lessons they should teach in school but don’t, and it gave me confidence in saving for the future!