My Favorite Investing, Business, and Finance Books | Passive Income
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My Favorite Investing, Business, and Finance Books

August 20, 2020 • 7 Min Read

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There are so many great resources today at our fingertips to learn about the world of investing, business, and finance such as blogs, podcasts, and online courses.

However, don't forget about good ol’ fashioned books. I’ve collectively spent a few hundred dollars to purchase the books below, but I can tell you that they have resulted in countless dollars in savings and millions in current and future earnings. There really is no better return on investment.

So below is a list of my favorite books with a small description of each. I hope to have full-length reviews of each of these on my site soon. Feel free to add some suggestions down in the comments as well.

(All of these links are affiliate links to Amazon meaning if you click through the site, we get a small percentage of it with no additional cost to you.)

Real Estate Investing

Rich Dad Poor Dad – This is the book that launched thousands of real estate investing careers and is still one of the most famous real estate investing books of all time. It is not a strategy book to be clear, it is a book that challenges you to re-consider the way you think of your job, income, and life. So simple, but the concepts in the book blew my mind when I first read it. It really speaks to the importance and value of not trading time for money. Here’s my full review.

 

The ABCs of Real Estate Investing – It’s a great overview of real estate investing particularly in multifamily properties. It covers topics on how to perform due diligence, negotiate a deal, and manage properties. It really focuses on the fundamentals – the basic calculations needed to be a successful investor. It’s quite direct and easy to understand.

 

Millionaire Real Estate Investor – Focuses on gaining wealth through real estate. It’s a great book for the beginning investor and has very practical advice on how to get started. Also contains great interviews with successful real estate investors and how they achieved that status. It’s quite motivational.

 

Tax-Free Wealth – As physicians, we pay a ton in taxes. The fact is that we have limited ways of tapping into tax incentives written into the tax code. However, as real estate investors, many of those benefits become available to us. While taxes is usually a topic that I don't enjoy reading about, this book is written in a way that is easy to read and to understand.

 

The Book on Rental Property Investing – Brandon Turner helps to run one of my favorite real estate investing sites, Biggerpockets. His book is written in the same easy style and with the same intent as the blog – to help everyone have an understanding of real estate investing. It contains lots of practical advice and it is completely honest in saying that real estate investing is not a get-rich-quick scheme… but anyone can do it.

 

Entrepreneurship

Start With Why – I think the subtitle sums it up so well, “How great leaders inspire everyone to take action.” I've learned that success is 80% mindset and 20% strategy. It seems counterintuitive because we've all learned that using the right strategy will likely guarantee the right result. The truth is that strategies are abundant but what sets successful people are the ones that are able to take action and course correct along the way. It made me rethink what I needed to focus on.

The Four Hour Work Week – The book speaks to the value of time and how to leverage it. He encourages you to create a business that supports your lifestyle. I also love his concept of having mini-retirements along the way, rather than waiting for someday when you have the time but not the health. There are some step-by-step guides in the book that are extremely interesting to read. It’s definitely changed the way I look at work. Here’s a full review.

Start Something That Matters – Book by Blake Mycoskie, founder of Toms shoes. It’s a great intro to the world of social entrepreneurship. For those who don’t know what Toms is famous for, they donate a pair of shoes for every shoe sold. In a nutshell, this book has strategies on building businesses, a heavy dose of inspiration, and ultimately makes you feel like it’s possible that your one idea could change the world.

 

Think and Grow Rich – This classic was first published in 1937 but is still regarded as one of the best business books of all time. Why? The author, Napoleon Hill interviewed 40 millionaires to understand what made them successful. He tries to take all the wisdom from these interviews and organize it for his readers in the form of 13 principles that he believes can help anyone become successful. It’s still relevant for everyone today.

 

Personal Finance

The White Coat Investor – Book from the leading authority in physician finance. If you’re a fan of his blog, the subjects will be familiar to you. It’s extremely high yield and packed with actionable items that will save you and make you millions in your lifetime. In my opinion, it should be required reading in residency.

 

 

The Automatic Millionaire – I randomly found it in a used bookstore years ago and decided to check it out. Little did I know that it was a #1 bestseller and still well read today. I found it was an easy read and gained some valuable ideas from it. The first is that you need to “Pay Yourself First” meaning don’t invest what you have at the end of the month after all your expenses are taken out. Set aside what you’re going to invest first, then the rest of your budget should adjust to that. And then like the title suggests, automate your savings and debt payments and that will put you on the right path to being wealthy.

The Total Money Makeover – Great book on getting your debt under control. When the average American has nearly $10,000 in credit card debt, his message is extremely relevant. While I don’t agree with everything he says, it did make me way more conscious about the power of not having any debt. After reading this, I ended up buying my next car in all cash. Read my full review here.

 

The Millionaire Next Door – This book teaches you to live within your means. That’s not revolutionary, but it does try to show you the power of careful spending and wise investing. Helps you understand the mindset of
people who have successfully built wealth and how that mindset shapes their actions.

 

 

Other Books

Never split the difference chris vossNever Split the Difference – This book by a former FBI hostage negotiator teaches you the techniques to ultimately achieve the results you want out of any negotiation situation. It's applicable to situations at work and even at home. It has made me a smarter negotiator and I believe it has been responsible for thousands of dollars of gain in my life. 

 

The Miracle Morning – We all have the same 24 hours available to us but how is it possible that so many other people seem to get so much done? How is it that every year I seem to have less & less time to myself? Well, this book lets us in the secret that so many successful entrepreneurs use to make the most of their most limited resource, time. This book has fundamentally changed the way I go about my day.

Any other books that are your favorites that I’ve missed? 

Disclaimer: The topic presented in this article is provided as general information and for educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking action, consult with your team of professionals.

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