One of the first steps many newlyweds take is to combine their finances. The process itself can be difficult to manage, both now and into the future. Plus, if you don’t communicate well or share values around money, difficulties are almost guaranteed to arise. Luckily, there is a lot of literature on how to how to manage money and your marriage. By diving into the the best personal finance books, you can give yourself a stronger foundation.
These books are the “best” because they show up in several of the “best” lists of finance books for couples, are all favorably rated with multiple positive reviews on Amazon, and are judged positively in the author of this article’s expert opinion.
Some will help you navigate challenging conversations, while others give you practical money advice. Together, they become a powerhouse for greater success in your relationship and financial life. If you aren’t sure where to begin, here are three of the best personal finance books for newlyweds, as well as two honorable mentions.
1. The Heart of Money: A Couple’s Guide to Creating True Financial Intimacy – Deborah L. Price
Arguing over money can be incredibly damaging to any relationship. In The Heart of Money: A Couple’s Guide to Creating True Financial Intimacy, written by financial advisor Deborah L. Price, you can learn about unhealthy patterns and behaviors that impact your financial life and your relationship.
Each of the strategies is meant to serve as tools couples can use to achieve financial intimacy. They make it easier to talk about money, outline common goals, and get on the same page. Additionally, the tips cover how to communicate effectively and respectfully, ensuring everyone handles the conversation while maintaining the right mindset.
Along the way, you’ll also get to explore stories from couples who struggled with financial issues and came out the other side. It is an inspirational and informative approach, coupling moving tales from real couples and actionable guidance you can start using together right away.
You can get it on Amazon here.
2. Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner – David Bach
If you’re looking for practical tips that can help you manage your finances better as a couple, Smart Couples Finish Rich: 9 Steps to Creating a Rich Future for You and Your Partner is the book for you. David Bach, a famous wealth manager, offers up actionable guidance designed to help you get a grip on your financial situation now and prepare for the future.
Along the way, you’ll learn how to set both short- and long-term goals. Additionally, you’ll explore strategies for tackling credit card debt, investing wisely, retirement planning, and much more.
The book was updated and revised in 2018, ensuring that the guidance is applicable to the current landscape. When it comes to simple tools that can help you secure your ideal financial future, this book is really hard to beat.
You can pick up a copy on Amazon, here.
3. Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By – Cary Siegel
While Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?: 99 Personal Money Management Principles to Live By wasn’t written for couples specifically, it’s an asset for younger adults who don’t feel well prepared to navigate the financial world. It takes a deep dive into a variety of topics, providing insights about money management basics in a way that is simple to understand.
The book has eight core lessons, outlining a total of 99 principles along the way that serves as the foundation for a stronger financial position as an adult. It’s simple, digestible, and incredibly straightforward, imparting multitudes of wisdom that focuses on more than just the numbers.
Along the way, you may discover that some of the recommendations are a bit unorthodox. However, those are the ones that really make you think, encouraging you to take a look at how you view and manage money in your life. Even if you don’t follow every principle, you’ll be glad you took the time to get to know each one.
The book is also available on Amazon, just click here.
Bonus Book Ideas:
Books that aren’t the top three, but are nonetheless good, are:
1. Couples Money: What Every Couple Should Know About Money and Relationships
Couples Money is a commonly mentioned in books about money for couples. In this book, husband and wife team Marlow & Chris Felton discuss finances from the perspective of a couple in the financial services industry. What makes this book a good read are the authors depth of knowledge about the finance industry, as well as the exhaustive discussion and clear action steps the book outlines for any couple to follow.
You can find it on Amazon.com for $12.99.
You can also find Chris’ website, here.
2. Thriving in Love and Money: 5 Game-Changing Insights about Your Relationship, Your Money, and Yourself
With 134 reviews on Amazon averaging 4.5 stars, Thriving In Love and Money is one of the better publications in the couples finance niche. The book was written by Shanunti and Jeff Feldhahn, a husband and wife team of researchers and Harvard trained social scientists. They recognized a need for semi-confused couples to come together around their money and the book was born.
What makes ‘Thriving” a notable standout is that fact that the book is based on exhaustive interview, focus group and survey data of over 3,000 people. The book is also meant less so as an information source and more as an interactive manual for couples to spark healthy discussions.
Briefly summarized their book says three things. Couples should:
- Build up a savings
- Understand their partners values and emotions around money
- be able to have meaningful conversations about money.
Thriving in Love and Money helps couples accomplish this.
You can find more about the authors at their website.
The best price for the book is hardcover on Amazon, which retails for about $7.39. Barnes and Noble is selling the hardcover for $17.
Why You Should Read These Books:
Ultimately, all of the personal finance books above are worth reading. At a minimum, they’ll get you and your partner thinking about money in a new way, making it easier to start important conversations that can help you get on the same page. In the best-case scenario, they’ll set you up for greater success, giving you vital tools you can use today, tomorrow, and well into the future.
Can you think of any other must-read personal finance books for newlyweds need to check out? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read More:
- Great Finance Blogs for Newlyweds on a Budget
- Don’t Make These 5 Personal Finance Missteps as Newlyweds
- 3 Ways to Make Money by Studying Personal Finance Blogs
- The 10 Best Books for Couples to Read Together
