Experts reveal their favourite money books

When it comes to smart money moves, the right book can be a game-changer. We asked 11 financial experts to share their favourite money-related book - one that left a lasting impact and still tops their list of recommendations. Some had trouble picking just one, so you'll find a few bonus picks in the mix too. Here's what they chose.

John Addis

Pick: Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

Most financial mistakes start life in the brain; getting on top of them is critical. Thinking, Fast and Slow is not only the best book I've read on the subject, but also the most fascinating. It turns out that human reasoning makes multiple systemic errors. Understanding them is the first step to overcoming them. This book will help you do it.

John Addis is the founder and Editor of Intelligent Investor and also author of How Not to Lose $1 million.

Cate Bakos

Pick: The Teenager's Guide to Money by Jonathan Self

I read a book as a kid - from memory, it was called something like The Pocket Money Club. It talked about finding your calling, working out what makes you happy (and can be commercialised), and showcased a young teen's effort to build up her savings and make money.

I was really intrigued. From understanding bank interest, to sorting out jobs and having other kids subcontracting for you, it opened my eyes.

I grew up with a strong money mindset and solid work ethic, which helped me buy my first home at a very young age. 

I can't find the exact book, but The Teenager's Guide to Money comes close - and I believe it would've had a similar impact.

My point is: it starts young. For those who start early, the wealth journey can be particularly rewarding.

Cate Bakos is the founder of Cate Bakos Property, a boutique and independent Melbourne Buyers Agency firm and co-host of The Property Trio podcast. She also co-wrote The Buy Right Approach to Property Investing.

Nathan Bell

Pick: Minding Mister Market by James Grant

Anything written by James Grant of Grant's Interest Rate Observer fame is intelligent and witty. His articles and recollections on Wall St in the eighties in Minding Mister Market are especially interesting and enjoyable - particularly for those who didn't experience it firsthand.

Nathan Bell is Head of Research & Portfolio Management at Intelligent Investor. 

Paul Clitheroe

Pick: Where Are the Customers' Yachts? by Fred Schwed Jr.

Bonus pick: The Richest Man in Babylon by George Clason

One of my favourites is Where Are the Customers' Yachts?. It's the tale of a visitor to New York who was admiring the bankers' and stockbrokers' boats, leading him to ask a very good question: Where are the clients' boats?

But for all-round common sense, take a look at The Richest Man in Babylon. Written in 1926, it contains parables from Babylon about 4,000 years ago. There's no magic here — just the timeless rules of money. My favourite message? Save first, then spend. That is just so powerful. Plan to save each week or month and put it aside first, making saving your priority ahead of spending.

Love it. No wonder it's still being published nearly 100 years after it was written.

Paul Clitheroe AM is Chairman of InvestSMART and one of Australia's leading personal finance media commentators.

Pascale Helyar-Moray

Pick: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki

Rich Dad Poor Dad had a lasting impact on me. As a young, unpartnered woman at the time, it may have seemed like an unlikely choice, but I was curious to understand the hype around it at the time. It helped me understand the connection between money and emotions. As Kiyosaki noted, "Money is an emotional thing. If you can't control your emotions, then emotions will start to control your money." It also partly inspired my first book.

Pascale Helyar-Moray OAM is the founder of Grow My Money, a cashback platform that pays cashback directly into your super or home loan. She is also the author of Rich Woman, Poor Woman.

Glen James

Pick: Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki

Everyone talks about Rich Dad Poor Dad, but in my opinion, The Cashflow Quadrant is the one to read. It clearly explains the difference between earning a wage and building wealth - especially if you're self-employed or run a business. It's simple, practical, and shifts how you think about money and time. Easily his best work.

Glen James is a former financial adviser, author of The Quick-Start Guide to Investing, and host of the money money money podcast (formerly my millennial money).

Peter Koulizos

Pick: Making Money Made Simple" by Noel Whittaker

I read Making Money Made Simple as a young adult, and it was perfect for what I was looking for. Noel has published many books, but this was my favourite. It really made it simple to understand how to budget, save money, spend it wisely, invest in shares, invest in property and - even though I was a long way off from worrying about it back then - he even made superannuation seem simple!

Peter Koulizos is a property lecturer at The University of Adelaide.

Diana Mousina

Pick: Free to Choose by Milton Friedman

Free to Choose was given to me by my boss, Shane. Despite being written long ago, I thought it was just so relevant in the post-pandemic period of exorbitant government spending in Australia and around the world.

Diana Mousina is Deputy Chief Economist at AMP.

Phil Slade

Pick: Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

I love Die With Zero because it challenges the conventional mindset of endlessly accumulating wealth, and instead encourages intentional living and memory-making while you're still healthy enough to enjoy it.

As a behavioural economist, I like how it smartly addresses present bias, opportunity cost, and diminishing marginal utility - reminding us that the true value of money lies not in hoarding it, but in exchanging it for meaningful life experiences. As a parent, it offers a compelling blueprint for modelling a life of balance, presence, and purposeful generosity.

Phil Slade is a behavioural economist, co-founder of Decida and co-CEO of Switch4Schools. He is also the author of Going Apes#!t.

Stuart Wemyss

Pick: The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel

Bonus pick: The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

Morgan Housel's The Psychology of Money is one of my favourite finance books because it highlights how our decisions (and indecisions) are heavily influenced by our emotional relationship with money and the internal narratives we create about it. 

Building wealth isn't complex. It's simple - although not always easy. But emotionally driven investors often make it unnecessarily complicated. Understanding these psychological factors can greatly help. 

Another favourite, but for entirely the opposite reason, is The Intelligent Investor. It's a logical, factual, evidence-based approach that provides practical principles anyone can apply to build wealth.

Stuart Wemyss is the founder of boutique financial services firm ProSolution Private Clients. 

Effie Zahos

Pick: Mind Over Money by Claudia Hammond

Bonus pick: Going Ape S#!t by Phil Slade

I read Mind Over Money years ago, and it's stuck with me ever since. I even had the honour of interviewing the author at a conference back then, which made it all the more memorable. The book dives into the emotional side of money - how our spending and saving habits are often driven by feelings, not logic. It really shifted how I think about money. There are loads of money mindset books out there, but this one's a standout. 

Another great read is Going Ape S#!t - not just about money, but packed with mindset insights that apply to success in all areas of life.

Effie Zahos is a Director of InvestSMART and 9News Money Editor.