Living Well

Here Are the Tools to Build Your Financial Literacy

Today's graduates have no idea what they're getting into.

We're in the middle of graduation season – many colleges already held virtual ceremonies and now high schools are celebrating the next crop of grads. Some are hopeful about the future, some are pessimistic... but they're all clueless when it comes to finances.

The most recent survey we found from the National Association of College Stores found that 72% of new college graduates don't feel even somewhat competent about investing.

Many also said they didn't feel prepared for topics like preparing taxes, paying down debt, or saving for retirement.

To make matters worse, they're entering the workforce during the highest period of unemployment since the Great Depression.

I've said it many times: The best way to empower yourself to take control of your own life is to educate yourself. If high school or college won't prepare you for the real world, you need to find something that will.

And learning doesn't stop when you're a kid or a recent grad. Lifelong learning is crucial for mental acuity. If you want to keep your brain sharp, ward off dementia, and live a long and successful life, never stop learning.

So whether you're a recent grad, the parent or grandparent of a grad, or a lifelong student, today's issue is one you can't miss.

Over the years, I've compiled my ultimate reading list. It covers the best books in a range of financial topics. Today, I want to share the top three books from each category. I've also asked my team to each recommend a book as well.

Start building – or refreshing – your financial literacy today.

Beginning Books for Investors and Moneymakers

Philosophy of Life, Money, and Investing

Big Swingers of Wall Street

Value Investing Books

Trading Books

Economics

History of 'The Street' Books

My Team's Picks

One Up on Wall Street – Peter Lynch explains how to use everyday experiences to beat Wall Street. He tells you how to find a product or service, how to research if it's a good investment, and what to do when you've decided to invest. Lynch uses his own real-life examples of winners and losers to help you make better gains than traders. This is a good aid for investors who want to break away from a financial adviser or broker and find their own investments.

The New Coffeehouse Investor – If you don't feel like spending your time watching the market, this is the book for you. Bill Schultheis explains how to get market earnings without trying to beat the market and set up your portfolio for long-term growth. This is a book any average investor can use.

Your Money, Your Brain – Jason Zweig dives into "neuroeconomics" in this book that's an easy and enjoyable read. He covers behavioral finance, biases, and the "why" behind common investing misconceptions. This is a great book if you have an interest in psychology and behavior.

(Full disclosure: We receive a small amount of compensation if you purchase books through the above links.)

Another great resource: Our own Health & Wealth Bulletin. Feel free to share this with your friends and family. Signing up is easy – you can click here to sign up on our webpage.

If you're looking for more, my team put together a generational investing report. We cover the financial moves folks should make in each decade of life, starting in their 20s. It's great reading for anyone. You can access it right here.

What We're Reading...

Here's to our health, wealth, and a great retirement,

Dr. David Eifrig and the Health & Wealth Bulletin Research Team
June 18, 2020