What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think about retirement? If you’re a teenager or in your early 20s, you probably think you’re too young to think about that. And if you’re in your 50s, it’s more clear that you need to start thinking about retirement. According to the best retirement books, you’re never too young to think about retirement and the good news is, it’s never too late to start!
Thinking about retirement can be scary, especially if you haven’t taken the necessary steps to finance your life after retiring. But imagining the worst-case scenario won’t help you one bit.
How about reading the best retirement books to learn how to build a happy and financially secure life after retirement?
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How to Choose the Best Retirement Books
There are a plethora of retirement books on the market today, which makes identifying the best retirement books a challenge. However, if you know what to look for, finding one for your needs will be a walk in the park. So let’s find out some of the things you should consider.
It doesn’t have to be boring
The majority of people believe retirement books are filled with investment jargon and endless pages of boring stuff you won’t understand without a degree in finance. But that’s not the case.
Many retirement books employ an engaging and fun tone that keeps you turning the pages while learning important stuff. So don’t waste your time on a book that puts you to sleep within the first pages. At that rate, you’ll retire before finishing the book, and we wouldn’t want that!
How close are you to retirement?
Apart from choosing an exciting book, it’s also essential to consider how close you are to retirement. Young adults have the luxury of time and can, therefore, take advantage of compound interest and take more risks.
Older investors, on the other hand, can’t afford to risk their money in risky investments. They have to take calculated risks to ensure their money is safe in the long run.
For this reason, make sure you choose the best retirement books that address where you are in life. And avoid books that provide a one-size-fits-all approach because they’ll most probably not work.
Spotting scams
An honest retirement book will tell you that retirement planning is a long and intense process that requires discipline and patience. However, not all retirement books are reliable or honest.
Some investment “gurus” will try to sell you on the idea that it’s possible to retire in only five years and become the next Bill Gates without doing much. Be wary of such books because they’ll only mislead you and waste your time.
Relevance
It’s also crucial to rely on up-to-date investment advice. If your grandparents read the investment book you’re considering, there’s a high chance you won’t benefit a lot from the book because it contains outdated information.
Go for recent books that take into account current changes in the market, using technology for savvy investments, and other factors that may affect your financial security.
How We Reviewed
We’re big on having a happy and financially secure retirement. And we’d like you to enjoy a similar experience in your retirement as well.
We, therefore, scoured the internet in search of the best retirement books to get you started on your path to financial freedom. We considered the best sellers, the top-rated books by readers, and the most recommended books by finance experts. And we didn’t stop there.
We also took the time to find out what each book has to offer to know if they would be helpful in your retirement journey.
Top 10 Life-Changing Retirement Books
After a thorough evaluation, we managed to come up with 10 of the best retirement books for the money. Whether you’re a young adult or approaching retirement, we’re confident you’ll find the lessons in these books life-changing. So let’s dive right in.
1. How to Retire with Enough Money
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Most people in their pre-retirement stage have poor saving and spending habits. In fact, the majority of people live from paycheck to paycheck. And the sad part is, they don’t know how it happens.
And that’s why we love this book. In this book, Teresa Ghilarducci, an economics professor and retirements savings specialist, explores the different reasons why people have a hard time saving and breaking bad spending habits.
She also gives you a simple guide on how to take control of your finances and plan for retirement without losing your hard-earned money on expensive financial planning services.
If you want to retire with enough money, this is the book to get. Buyers rated it 4.1 out of 5.0 stars.
2. How To Retire Happy, Wild, and Free
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Retirement seems like a magical time. You don’t have to wake up at insane hours of the morning to go to work, raise any kids, or stay up all night responding to work emails.
But the magic disappears very fast, and you may begin feeling like your life no longer has a purpose.
It’s for this reason that many people dread retirement. If you’re sailing in the same boat, you’ll love this Ernie J. Zelinski book.
Unlike most authors who focus mainly on saving and investments for retirement, Ernie drops some wisdom on equally important stuff like how to follow your dreams and live to the fullest in your retirement.
He also teaches you how to invest your money intelligently, so that you won’t need millions to secure your future.
Amazon buyers can’t stop raving about this book. They rated it 4.3 out of 5.0 stars.
3. The 5 Years Before You Retire: Retirement Planning When You Need It the Most
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Five years before retirement is, without a doubt, the ultimate crunch time. You’ve got five years to get it right, or you’re screwed.
Emily Guy Birken is the author that comes just in time. She gives you practical advice that you can implement in only five years to secure a happy and secure life after retirement.
The author explains how to make wise family, medical, and financial decisions as you approach retirement. She also emphasizes the importance of taking advantage of real estate and 401K retirement plans at this stage of your life.
If you’re currently dreading your retirement because you’re not well prepared, this book will give you the confidence you need. Buyers have attested to its effectiveness. They gave it a rating of 4.3 out of 5.0 stars.
4. How to Retire Happy, Fourth Edition: The 12 Most Important Decisions You Must Make Before You Retire
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They say experience is the best teacher, and Stan Hinden uses his own to share the approach that worked for him in creating a happy retirement life.
This book is easy to understand and offers practical tips on financial planning for retirement and other important information like how to maintain emotional and mental health.
Amazon buyers believe this is one of the best retirement books you can read. They rated it 4.2 out of 5.0 stars.
5. The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness
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If you’re looking at your credit card and student loans and thinking there’s no way you’re ever going to achieve financial freedom, this is the book for you. It’s written by Dave Ramsey, one of the most recognized names in investing and finance.
Dave emphasizes one thing, stop bad spending habits, pay off your debts, and start saving for the future.
He teaches you practical steps to getting out of debt and gaining financial freedom. And the best part is that there’s no finance jargon involved and you don’t need you to be an expert to do it.
If you want to get out of debt before thinking about your retirement goals, you’ll find this book very informative and useful. Buyers gave it a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
6. Women’s Worth: Finding Your Financial Confidence
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Women have it harder than men when it comes to attaining financial freedom. From the challenges of having to leave work to raise their kids to getting lower salaries compared to men, the journey can seem impossible.
Eleanor Blayney comes to your rescue with incredible tips that help women take control of their finances and catch up with their retirement goals.
She maintains an empathetic tone while encouraging you to go for your goals because it’s within your power to do it.
If you’re a woman who’s currently overwhelmed by your finances and don’t know how to build a happy life in retirement, you won’t want to put this book down. Buyers say it’s a page-turner. They rated it 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.
7. Your Money or Your Life: 9 Steps to Transforming Your Relationship with Money and Achieving Financial Independence
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If you’re looking for a fun and engaging read that will inspire you to make a difference, Your Money or Your Life by Vicki Robin will live up to your expectations.
This book offers broad-based financial advice and is, without a doubt, a fantastic read. It focuses on helping the reader to adjust their priorities by focusing their energy on what matters most, investing money in appreciating assets.
We also love that the book has charts, photos, and graphs that help drive the points home even more clearly.
It’s comprehensive and a perfect companion for a new investor. Amazon customers rated it 4.3 out of 5.0 stars.
8. The Smartest Retirement Book You’ll Ever Read
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We’ve all come across books with such titles. They talk a big game but fail to deliver. But this book is different. It lives up to its title.
Daniel R. Solin uses simple language to explain different ways to live a happy retirement life.
From teaching you how to avoid common investment scams to guiding you on how to ensure your money lives longer than your lifetime, this author drops some gems of advice you’ll always remember.
It’s among the best retirement books for beginners who know nothing about retirement planning. It will help you evaluate and understand suggestions given by your financial planners.
Amazon buyers can’t stop raving about this book. They rated it 4.2 out of 5.0 stars.
9. Winning at Retirement: A Guide to Health, Wealth, and Purpose in the Best Years of Your Life
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This book is among the best retirement books that take a modern approach when it comes to retirement planning. Patrick Foley and Kristin Hillsley teach you how to take advantage of technology, TED talks, and other resources at your fingertips to plan for your retirement.
The authors are entertaining, inspirational, and practical, and what makes them stand out is that they touch on other areas of retirement, such as health and ways to make the most of your retirement years.
You won’t be dreading retirement after reading this book. Amazon gave it a rating of 4.2 out of 5.0 stars.
10. How to Make Your Money Last: The Indispensable Retirement Guide
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For most people, trying to make money last longer in retirement is like eating soup with a fork — impossible. If you feel the same, this book by Jane Bryant Quinn will give you hope for the days to come.
Jane takes a different approach. She teaches you how to keep your pot overflowing in retirement. From investing, taking advantage of social security, and lessons on how to grow your money, this book will give you confidence in your retirement years.
Amazon buyers recommend it as one of the best retirement books. They gave it a rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 stars.
The Time Is Now
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Retirement seems so far, especially when you’re starting your career. But it’s at this time that you should be thinking about retirement planning. When you start early, you’re in a better position to take significant risks, and more likely to make a fortune.
But as we said, it’s never too late to start. So don’t waste any more time, get one of the best investment books on this list and build a great retirement life.
Have you read any of these retirement books? Were they helpful, and would you recommend them? Please share your thoughts and views in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you.
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