One thing unemployment gave me was time.  Time that I spent reading and learning as much as possible not only about managing my money but also growing and changing my mindset.  My reading focused on 3 things: perseverance, financial freedom and early retirement.

Below is a list of some of my most favorite reads:

Financial Independence

The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins

This is a fun quick read.  If you have no interest is learning the stock market, bonds and the rest… then this is the book for you.  All your investing advice boiled down into simple steps.  Once you have established the habit of paying yourself, this is the book to tell you how to invest and forget about it.

Here’s an important truth: Complex investments exist only to profit those who create and sell them. Not only are they more costly to the investor, they are less effective.

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

This is the first book I read and got me hooked on understanding what financial independence is and how to apply it to my own life.  Its been around for a while, I am sure you can find it at the library.  😉

 

How to Survive Without A Salary by Charles Long

This is the second book I read while on unemployment.  Its no nonsense and practical.  There are a lot of tips that anyone, no matter where you live, can learn from.  It starts that mindset of learning to appreciate what you do have instead of being disappointed with what you don't.

 

The Power of Less by Leo Babauta

This is a quick read.  The Power of Less demonstrates how to streamline your life by identifying the essential and eliminating the unnecessary freeing you from everyday clutter and allowing you to focus on accomplishing the goals that can change your life for the better.

 

Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill, is one of the most influential books and the first one to answer the question, What makes a winner?  This is a good one to buy and reread.  😉

Smart Women, Finish Rich by David Bach

With Smart Women Finish Rich, you will feel like you are being coached personally by one of America's favorite and most trusted financial experts. The Smart Women Finish Rich program has helped millions of women for over twenty years gain confidence, clarity and control over their financial well-being–it has been passed from generations to generation — and it now can help you.

Start Late, Finish Rich by David Bach

In Start Late, Finish Rich, David Bach provides much-needed advice for all those who've asked themselves ‘Why didn't I start saving when I was younger?' Whether you're in your thirties, forties, fifties or sixties you still have the opportunity to put your life on the right track and stop worrying about the future.

The Millionaire Next Door by Stanley & Danko

The bestselling The Millionaire Next Door identifies seven common traits that show up again and again among those who have accumulated wealth. Most of the truly wealthy in this country don't live in Beverly Hills or on Park Avenue-they live next door.

You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think by Wes Moss

This is my new favorite and still reference it.  If you think you need to win the lottery or work until you’re 75 to retire with financial stability, Money Matters host Wes Moss has very good news for you. You Can Retire Sooner Than You Think reveals the secrets for ensuring a successful retirement―sooner rather than later.

 

Personal Growth

The Art of Being a PITA by Shanah Bell

This is a fun, inspirational book and easy read.  I love that the chapters are short and to the point.  It demonstrates how working a traditional 9-5 is not a requirement to get ahead and moreover you may find your passion on the road less traveled way of making a living.  Its worth a Sunday afternoon read.

The One Thing by Gary Keller

By focusing your energy on one thing at a time people are living more rewarding lives by building their careers, strengthening their finances, losing weight and getting in shape, deepening their faith, and nurturing stronger marriages and personal relationships.  If it sounds simple, that's because it is… its implementation that can get tricky… this book shows you how.

Finding Your North Star by Martha Beck

Read this book with a notebook and pen.  Organized in 3 sections of the you today, the you tomorrow and the roadmap to get to where you want to be.  Funny, relatable and engaging, this is one for the bookshelf to reference and go through the exercises… watch yourself grow.