Buying guides
The 8 financial habits that consistently survive recessions — built from books, programs, and the math behind why most "downturn-proof" portfolios actually underperform.
Ramit Sethi's I Will Teach You to Be Rich is one of the most practical modern finance books. We read the 2nd edition.
A cross-cut paper shredder prevents identity theft from trashed financial documents. Amazon Basics is the value pick.
Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad Poor Dad sold 40M+ copies. We read the updated edition to evaluate lasting influence vs controversy.
James Clear's Atomic Habits is the modern habit formation classic. We read the hardcover edition for this review.
A wall-mounted calendar + budget whiteboard keeps financial goals visible. We tested the 48x36 magnetic glass board.
SentrySafe 1160 is the budget fireproof safe for home documents. We tested it for passport + tax + will storage.
Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover is the debt-elimination classic. We read the updated edition to evaluate 2026 relevance.
The TI BA II Plus is one of two CFA-approved calculators. We tested it for finance calculations + exam preparation.
Vicki Robin's Your Money or Your Life predates and founded the FIRE movement. We read the 2018 updated edition.
Morgan Housel's Psychology of Money has sold 5M+ copies. We read the paperback to evaluate it for personal finance education.
Organized financial documents save time during tax season. The DYMO LabelManager 160 delivers portable labeling at reasonable pricing.
Jesse Mecham's You Need A Budget (YNAB) has converted hundreds of thousands of "I cannot budget" self-identifiers into actual budgeters. The 4-rule system is simple; the app is $99/year. After 24 months running YNAB, here is whether the system justifies the subscription.
Dave Ramsey's Total Money Makeover has sold 9 million copies by teaching debt elimination through the 7 Baby Steps. Its advice is simultaneously life-saving for one audience and mathematically flawed for another. Here is how to know which you are.
Thomas Stanley's 1996 research on actual US millionaires shattered the stereotype of wealth-as-conspicuous-consumption. Three decades later, the book remains a personal finance staple. Our 2026 review: what still holds up, what 30 years broke, and who should still read it.
Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor is the most recommended investment book in history — Warren Buffett called it "the best book on investing ever written." The new 3rd edition adds Jason Zweig commentary for 2025. Is it still the book to read?
What to prioritize financially in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s: the most important money moves at each life stage, from building foundations to retirement acceleration.
What the FIRE movement is, the four FIRE variants (Lean, Fat, Barista, Coast), how savings rate determines your timeline, and the real criticisms worth understanding.
How to build a 6-month emergency fund from zero — starting with $1,000, then scaling systematically using automation and a high-yield savings account.
A step-by-step guide to opening a brokerage, buying your first index fund, and setting up automatic contributions — all with $500 or less.
The 50/30/20 budget rule is a useful starting point but breaks down in high-cost cities. Here is a modified version that works regardless of your income or housing costs.
A 100-point credit score improvement in 6 months is achievable by targeting utilization, payment history, and credit report errors. Month-by-month action plan included.
Proven steps to improve your credit score in 60-90 days: how FICO scoring works, the fastest ways to raise your score, and what credit repair myths to ignore.
How to start investing with $500 or less: best accounts for beginners, what index funds to buy, how dollar-cost averaging works, and why automating contributions is the key to wealth.
How to build a 6-month emergency fund: how much you need, where to keep it, the two-stage approach that makes it achievable, and how to automate the savings process.
Step-by-step guide to building your first budget: how to track income, categorize expenses, use the 50/30/20 rule, choose a budgeting app, and handle irregular expenses.
The complete personal finance roadmap for 2026: the financial order of operations, net worth tracking, SMART goal setting, and the automation habits that build lasting wealth.
FTC Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click through and make a purchase or sign up for a service, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us continue providing valuable
FTC Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us maintain our free content while providing honest
FTC Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. When you click these links and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products and services we've thoroughly resea
