Personal Finance Book Reviews

Category: Book Reviews

Looking to improve your financial literacy? Our personal finance book reviews have you covered. Discover insightful, unbiased takes on the latest must-read books covering everything from budgeting and investing to retirement planning and wealth-building. Our expert reviewers cut through the noise to highlight the most actionable, life-changing personal finance advice, so you can make informed decisions about which books deserve a spot on your reading list.

Make It Happen by Darius Foroux book
Book Reviews

"Make It Happen" by Darius Foroux Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
In the past few months, I've seen several people I follow on Twitter (X) announce that they're releasing books (which is great since I'm currently looking to review one book a month for this site). But, while many of these titles won't be released until this fall or later, I was excited to see that Darius Foroux recently announced that not one but two new books would be released just...
The Purpose Code book next to coffee cups filled with rulers and paint brushes
Book Reviews

"The Purpose Code" By Jordan Grumet Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
A couple of months ago, a funny thing happened. As I was looking through several of the personal finance blogs that I follow, I kept seeing the same bright blue book cover and smiley face sticky note somewhere on each site. I soon came to find out that this cover belonged to a book called The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy by...
two hands holding Buy What You Love Without Going Broke
Book Reviews

"Buy What You Love Without Going Broke" Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
Last month, while reviewing George Kamel's book, I noted that I had learned about him through his appearance and my attendance at FinCon 2024. That's the backstory with this month's book selection: Buy What You Love Without Going Broke by Jen Smith and Jill Sirianni (hosts of the Frugal Friends podcast). In fact, after her moving keynote speech on the final day of the event, Smith mentioned that this book...
George Kamel and his book Breaking Free From Broke
Book Reviews

Book Review: "Breaking Free From Broke" by George Kamel

by Kyle Burbank
Throughout 2025, Fioney will be posting a new book review each month. In the meantime, you can check out our list of the top 10 financial books to start the new year off right and view my Goodreads for more. When I attended 2024's FinCon event in Atlanta, one of the speakers I was introduced to was George Kamel. From his short talk, I could tell that I liked his...
Selling the Dream by Jane Marie book cover on top of a pile of dollar bills
Book Reviews

Selling the Dream: The Billion-Dollar Industry Bankrupting Americans Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
At this point, I think most people are at least familiar with multi-level marketing companies (AKA MLMs). Even if they don't know the term itself, surely anyone who's ever been on Facebook is familiar with the feeling of being DM'd by an old friend or acquaintance trying to sell them something. What's more, despite big lawsuits and high-profile documentaries on certain MLMs, Americans continue to flock to these companies —...
Beyond Getting By book cover
Book Reviews

Beyond Getting By by Holly Trantham Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
Despite moving to a house right across the street from a library branch last year, it's been a while since I took the opportunity to browse the New Release shelves for recent personal finance titles. When I finally did, I came across the book Beyond Getting By: The Financial Diet's Guide to Abundant and Intentional Living by Holly Trantham. Actually, in addition to Trantham, Financial Diet founder Chelsea Fagan pens...
Book Reviews

"The Unbanking of America" Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
In her new book " The Unbanking of America: How the New Middle Class Survives" author Lisa Servon looks at everything from the payday loan industry to FinTech while also discussing the changing economics of the middle class.
scenic view of a mountain lake
Book Reviews

"Work Optional" by Tanja Hester Book Review

by Kyle Burbank
Editor’s note: The following review was first published in 2019, but the conclusion has been updated for 2024. Prior to attending last year's FinCon Expo, I had certainly heard about FIRE (short for "financial independence, retire early) but it wasn't until I arrived at the conference that I realized how large the movement had grown. Of course, with popularity comes backlash, as some so-called "gurus" have questioned the fundamentals of...
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Checking Account Review

2025 SoFi Checking and Savings Review

by Kyle Burbank
 Ever since I started taking an interest in the FinTech sector, one company whose name I’ve seen pop up over and over again is SoFi. That was later sent into overdrive as the company has not only become a household name thanks to its stadium naming rights deal but also because of the company’s continued product expansions. The most interesting development in my mind is SoFi’s acquisition of Golden Pacific...
Travelers with two Best Western Credit Cards
Credit Card News

Best Western Debuts Two New Rewards Credit Cards

by Kyle Burbank
After pausing applications for their previous rewards card, the hotel chain Best Western has unveiled a new pair of rewards credit cards with a new issuer. About the Best Western cards: Best Western is partnering with First Bank & Trust and Mercury Financial to introduce two new co-branded credit cards. First up is the no-annual-fee Best Western Rewards Visa Signature Card. With this card, customers can 4x points on Best...
Marriott Bonvoy card and a woman on vacation
Credit Card News

Marriott Bonvoy Bold Card Launches Travel Contest

by Kyle Burbank
Chase and Marriott Bonoy have unveiled a special contest while continuing to offer its best-ever welcome bonus. About the welcome bonus and Bold Chat Court Contest: Marriott Bonvoy and Chase have launched a special opportunity called the Bold Chat Court contest. As part of this contest, 10 lucky travelers will be awarded 500,000 Marriott Bonvoy points (for a total of 5 million) as well as $5,000. For this contest, the...
Bilt and All Reward logos
Credit Card News

Bilt Adds 2 New Transfer Partners Including First 3:2 Transfer Rate

by Kyle Burbank
Bilt is once again expanding its travel transfer rewards program — and is even breaking the mold with one new partner. About the new additions to Bilt: This week, Bilt launched partnerships with two more travel brands: TAP Air Portugal and Accor. As a result, Bilt members will now be able to transfer their points to Miles&Go and ALL Reward, respectively. In total, Bilt now has 18 transfer partners including 13...
PayPal Debit Card app
Checking Account Review

PayPal Debit Card Review: Earn Stackable 5% Cash Back

by Kyle Burbank
In recent weeks, PayPal debuted an updated debit card product (perhaps you've seen the incessant Will Ferrell commercials for it during football games?). With the launch of this card, the company known for online payments is encouraging customers to pay with them anywhere. To encourage such behavior, the debit card allows cardholders to earn 5% cashback — although, as you can imagine, there are some important restrictions on that. So,...