With the New Year’s Resolution season here, the Strategic team got together to come up with a list of some of our favorite reads about managing money. Financial literacy is something we are very passionate about and we believe you can never start learning the importance of responsible wealth management too early. So if your resolutions include improving your financial health, this blog is for you! Here we have curated our list favorites from the Strategic team including books for kids all the way up through the fundamentals of investing. Happy New Year and Happy reading!

The Laws of Wealth: Psychology and the secret to investing success
So much of the world of finance is naturally based on dollars and calculations. As both an asset manager and clinical psychologist, Dr. Daniel Crosby shows how our own behaviors have a huge impact on our decision-making. I’ve been fortunate to see him present in person, and you’ll enjoy his ability to educate and entertain at the same time. Great for both newer as well as seasoned investors.
Mike Durand, Lead Advisor
The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey
If you have debt weighing you down, this is a great read. The author does a nice job of laying out the most common money myths out there today as well as covers some financial fundamentals. He then lays out his plan on how to achieve financial freedom which he calls ‘The 7 Baby Steps.’ I love the inspiring success stories that are scattered throughout – they really highlight the power of discipline and hard work to set you up to meet clear set goals.
Katy Heintz, Business Development Manager
Caterina and the Lemonade Stand by Erin Eitter Kono
For the kids with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age! This book tells the story of Caterina who desperately wants a new scooter. It’s a great lesson about saving and working creatively for something you want! My kids also love the illustrations!
Cody Carnaya, Associate Advisor
Rich Dad, Poor Dad’ by Robert Kiyosaki
This book is great because it is written in a simple language that anyone can understand, providing a great introduction to the world of finance. Focused mostly around the fundamentals of building wealth, it has inspired millions of readers to start the journey since its publishing back in 1997.
“The Rich and middle-class work for money. The rich have money work for them.”
Justin Hearty, Associate Planning Specialist
The Little Book of Behavioral Investing by James Montier
It is an easy and enjoyable read and can help individuals avoid some common pitfalls. Many of the behavioral issues I discuss are drawn from this little book. James Montier provides solid strategies to help eliminate the traits driven by emotion that can cause problems in investment decision-making.
Doug Walters, Chief Investment Officer
Understanding Money from Usborne
I am exploring this book with my 7-year-old twin boys to start building their financial literacy early. Not only does this book simplify complex concepts, but it also addresses how people can feel differently about wealth and comfort levels when discussing money. It’s important to me that my children have a fundamental understanding of money beyond just dollars & cents, and this book nails it!
Laura Powers, Lead Advisor
The Little Book of Common Sense Investing by John Bogle
This is my go-to recommendation for a guide to understanding the market. Currently, on its 10th anniversary edition, this book has both proved its strategy over time as well as been updated to reflect current data and new information. There’s a reason it’s considered the ‘best-selling investing bible.’
Aaron Evans, Senior Advisor
The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas Stanley, Ph.D. and William Danko, Ph.D.
This is a great book that walks the reader through seven traits commonly found in those who have accumulated wealth. You may be surprised to learn that most wealth is made, not inherited and it may be more achievable than you think to amass wealth through traits like simple frugality. It’s a great read for those just starting out but remember, it’s never too late to work toward and achieve financial independence!
Ben Saltzman, Financial Planning Specialist
About Strategic
Founded in 1979, Strategic is a leading investment and wealth management firm managing and advising on client assets of over $1.8 billion.
OverviewDisclosures
Strategic Financial Services, Inc. is a SEC-registered investment advisor. The term “registered” does not imply a certain level of skill or training. “Registered” means the company has filed the necessary documentation to maintain registration as an investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes and should not be considered investment advice or a recommendation of any particular security, strategy or investment product. Every client situation is different. Strategic manages customized portfolios that seek to properly reflect the particular risk and return objectives of each individual client. The discussion of any investments is for illustrative purposes only and there is no assurance that the adviser will make any investments with the same or similar characteristics as any investments presented. The investments identified and described do not represent all of the investments purchased or sold for client accounts. Any representative investments discussed were selected based on a number of factors including recent company news or earnings release. The reader should not assume that an investment identified was or will be profitable. All investments contain risk and may lose value. There is no assurance that any investments identified will remain in client accounts at the time you receive this document.
Some of the material presented is based upon forward-looking statements, information and opinions, including descriptions of anticipated market changes and expectations of future activity. Strategic Financial Services believes that such statements, information, and opinions are based upon reasonable estimates and assumptions. However, forward-looking statements, information and opinions are inherently uncertain and actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, information and opinions.
No content on this website is intended to provide tax or legal advice. You are advised to seek advice on these matters from separately retained professionals.
All index returns, unless otherwise noted, are presented as price returns and have been obtained from Bloomberg. Indices are unmanaged and cannot be purchased directly by investors.