donkeykang

I'm interested in starting early to make sure that I have a sound financial future. I just finished my first year of college and it has been very tough managing money and I still have no credit card debt whatsoever, but I'm wondering if anyone can recommend any books that could give me practical tips for money management and beginning my financial career. I'm also looking for any books that can help me more with investing smartly in bonds and mutual funds. I've already decided to take $100 or so from my paycheck every month during the school year and investing in something or keeping it in savings and letting the interest collect for when I actually use it.

Yeah, I have a light grasp on investing and money management, but I would like to learn a lot more.

Thanks

Zippee

While not finance specific, everyone should read "How to lie with statistics". It was written many years ago but remains valid to this day. You should be able to get it at the school bookstore or on Amazon.

doopstr

The Richest Man in Babylon is a great first read for anyone. You could probably find it at the local library if you don't want to spend the $7.

Zippee

"The Millionare Next Door" is also a very good read.

Fibonacci

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/007...lance&n=283155

jdone

I've been investing for over 25 years. This is the best book for novices ever.
The Only Investment Guide You'll Ever Need

SpeedyV6

How to Lie with Statistics is an outstanding book. It's also especially relevant to the realm of financial services, where all sorts of spurious claims are made.

NSXNEXT

iTrader: (2)

Pug

"Intelligent Investor" by Ben Graham. It's a little dry, but a classic nonetheless.

At the library regularly read related periodicals like the Wall St Journal, Forbes, BusinessWeek, Fortune, etc. Barron's (a weekly) is also good. You won't find a single source that gives you all the answers you need, but you will pick up little nuggets here and there that in aggregate will amount to some pretty useful knowledge.

donkeykang

Thanks for the great suggestions so far...I guess I have a lot of reading ahead of me!

Sonic One

rich dad poor dad

fast-tl

Financial Peace Revisited, by Dave Ramsey (www.daveramsey.com) practical advice whether you have $1 or $10,000,000, from college age to retirement age. If only I'd had this book when I was 15 or 16, I'd be rich BY NOW. There's no magic in it; it teaches discipline and how to leverage that discipline and common sense to avoid common traps with spending, credit, retirement, investing, insurance, and other "if I knew then what I know now" financial topics. It's a must read.

PolishPete

I'll 2nd "Rich Dad Poor Dad"...thats the first one, then there are many others in his series. However, I think he's a con, or read some stuff where they say he's a con, but the general ideas he writes about are a very good starting point, and they help you motivate yourslelf to do things.