Books for young adults

[Keepitsimple!]

Hi Bogleheads,

I have 2 daughters who are in college. I'd like to give each of them a book that covers personal finance in general, and also touches on investing in a Boglehead-compliant way. Ideally, it would be easy to digest and rather concise, so that they make it through. Even if they don't read it cover to cover, I'd like for them to have a good reference. I'm thinking I'll also give them a physical bookmark with the bogleheads.org address, in case they are inspired to learn more.

Can anyone recommend such a book?

Many thanks in advance!

[arcticpineapplecorp.]

Not a physical book, per se but a good start is If You Can: How Millenials Can Get Rich Slowly is only 16 pages long and online and free (see link in title). I think Bernstein refers to it as a "booklet" rather than a book, because of its length. Regarding personal finance, he basically implores the reader to live below their means (because if you don't you'll never have any leftover money for savings/investments). Sure there's other things like budgeting, credit card usage, etc that won't be found in this book if that's what you're looking for, but the basic concepts of live below your means and invest as much as you can as smartly as you can (and he recommends the three fund low cost massively diversified index portfolio) will get you off to a great start.

Bogle's The Little Book of Commonsense Investing covers all things investing. Of course the bogleheads guide to investing is a good one too.

If you're looking for something that covers personal finance too, I haven't read his books but Clark Howard gives a good consistent message on spending and saving and how to be smart with your money.

I think Jane Bryant Quinn put out a book a few years ago that's supposed to be like the bible (covers EVERYTHING financial). Unfortunately I think it's like a massive tome, so not sure if they'd be put off by the size of the thing.

Not all kids like to read but you know yours better than me. But there are videos at bogleheads (by Rick Van Ness) that give a good overview of investing concepts.

there's also suggested reading here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Suggested_reading

welcome to the group by the way.

[retired@50]

Hi Bogleheads,

I have 2 daughters who are in college. I'd like to give each of them a book that covers personal finance in general, and also touches on investing in a Boglehead-compliant way. Ideally, it would be easy to digest and rather concise, so that they make it through. Even if they don't read it cover to cover, I'd like for them to have a good reference. I'm thinking I'll also give them a physical bookmark with the bogleheads.org address, in case they are inspired to learn more.

Can anyone recommend such a book?

Many thanks in advance!

Well, there's the recommended reading list in the wiki, which includes lots of possible choices. John Bogle's "Little Book of Common Sense Investing" would get my vote.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Book_re ... nd_reviews

If you're worried about short attention span(s), then you can't beat William Bernstein's "If You Can". A free PDF link is below. Or, if you must have something to put under the tree, look for it at a low low price on Amazon.
Free PDF: https://www.flip4u.org/docs/If%20You%20 ... nstein.pdf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Can-Mille ... 098878033X

Regards,

[stoptothink]

Hi Bogleheads,

I have 2 daughters who are in college. I'd like to give each of them a book that covers personal finance in general, and also touches on investing in a Boglehead-compliant way. Ideally, it would be easy to digest and rather concise, so that they make it through. Even if they don't read it cover to cover, I'd like for them to have a good reference. I'm thinking I'll also give them a physical bookmark with the bogleheads.org address, in case they are inspired to learn more.

Can anyone recommend such a book?

Many thanks in advance!

Well, there's the recommended reading list in the wiki, which includes lots of possible choices. John Bogle's "Little Book of Common Sense Investing" would get my vote.
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Book_re ... nd_reviews

If you're worried about short attention span(s), then you can't beat William Bernstein's "If You Can". A free PDF link is below. Or, if you must have something to put under the tree, look for it at a low low price on Amazon.
Free PDF: https://www.flip4u.org/docs/If%20You%20 ... nstein.pdf

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Can-Mille ... 098878033X

Regards,

+2 I used to forward it to all my new employees, along with an offer to help them set up their 401k. It's all most people need to manage their own investments and it's easy enough for a teenager to understand. My 11yr old is starting to save up a decent stash from babysitting, I should have her read it soon.

[simplesimon]

I buy all of my analysts a copy of "I Will Teach You To Be Rich" by Ramit Sethi when they start. The title is a little crazy but it's very practical personal finance advice. He even mentions he loves Bogleheads.org in the book.

I have read almost all the books mentioned on the Bogleheads Wiki thread and love them all, but I don't believe they speak to a younger audience as well as Ramit's book does.

[Johm221122]

"Investing For Dummies "

This is the book when I started that got me to understand. Then maybe next year give them "All About Asset Allocation".

These two books gave me the foundation of investing knowledge

[Keepitsimple!]

Thanks so much, everyone, for your thoughtful and helpful replies! I'm going to look into these options and choose one to gift to each of them for Christmas this year, along with a contribution to their Roth IRAs. I may follow-up with a second book in the future, once they have absorbed the basics. I feel so fortunate to have found the Bogleheads!

[InMyDreams]

It's been mentioned that Michelle Singletary has a BH philosophy. She's probably closer to you children's ages than other authors
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Michelle+Sin ... =nav_bb_sb

Often mentioned is Bernstein's If You Can, a free download
https://www.amazon.com/If-You-Can-Mille ... 098878033X or from the website mentioned on the linked page