Day#10: Read one personal finance book.

This is Day #10 of “25 Days to Healthier Finances”, a series of blog posts where Frugal Pinoy readers and myself work on 1 task a day to make our financial lives better. Please stay tuned for the next installment of this series, which will be up tomorrow.

Here’s today’s installment:

It’s a Sunday, so I picked a task that we can do from the comfort of our own homes. I also chose a task that can kill a few hours, since most people will be too busy during the weekday for a task like this one -

Today’s Task: Read one personal finance book.

If you already have a personal finance book at home but you haven’t read it yet, now’s your chance. You can also borrow books from friends or relatives, or buy from a second hand shop. Just make sure that whatever you buy, the information is up to date. Also, as much as possible, buy something local. The ideas in local books will be of more help, especially if they point to local banking and investing information.

Want some free books instead? Check out the following:

• Thriving on Less: Simplifying in a Tough Economy by Leo Babauta. It’s about adjusting your lifestyle to make it more sustainable and allow yourself to live well in a tough economy.
• Money Matters for All Ages, which I reviewed before, is a guidebook on financial planning for the rest of your life.
• Tips for Change from Money Management International. Just a collection of money-saving tips. Although written for a US audience, 98% of the tips are applicable everywhere (FP’s note: I wouldn’t drink tap water though, so know which tips to pick and use).
• Plan Z: How to Survive the 2009 Financial Crisis by Robert Pagliarini. An alternative take on how to deal with the financial crisis. (FP’s note: I don’t think it’s a good idea to avoid paying off credit card debt as early as you can if you have the means to do it, things are not as bad here as compared to the US. But if you’re financially desperate, it’s okay to just pay the minimum each month.)
• Building Wealth: A Beginner’s Guide to Securing Your Financial Future by the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas. Meant for US readers but most of the ideas are basic enough to be applicable to the Philippines. Just like the title says, it’s for beginners who are just starting to be aware of their financial responsibility.

Remember: don’t stop with just one! Over the next few months, make it a point to read other financial planning and money management books. You’ll find that many writers contradict each other so it’s good to have multiple perspectives on a single issue. But for today, one book should be fine.

Free Ebook: Thriving on Less

“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” - Albert Einstein

Almost the entire world is facing a financial crisis.  During times like these, it’s important to cut back on our spending and save for the future.  But is it possible to do that without sacrificing your enjoyment of life?

Leo Babauta’s new free ebook, “Thriving on Less: Simplifying in a Tough Economy” addresses the steps we have to take to lead more enriching lives - and save money in the process. A much needed message in tough economic times.

Here’s what you’ll learn from the ebook:

• How to create a simple lifestyle
• How to focus on “enough” instead of “more”
• How to beat the effects of advertising
• Steps on how to make small financial changes
• How to look at large, long term expenses
• Tips on how to change spending habits
• How to get out of debt

If you want to download a free copy of this ebook, simply click here.

Free Personal Finance Ebook

There’s a free personal finance ebook available at Mytwodollars.com . “Money Matters for All Ages: A Guide to Taking Control of Your Finances from Birth to Retirement” is a comprehensive collection of personal finance and frugality tips that may prove to be useful, no matter how old you are. This includes infants and young children, teenagers, college-aged people, and people in their twenties up to the sixties. This ebook also covers advice for retirees. This series was even featured on MSN Money.

Here’s a description from the website:

This e-book is the culmination of sixteen different personal finance bloggers who got together and decided to write a financial guidebook that spans an entire lifetime. From the innocent little infant to the older retiree, all the different stages of life are covered here. Whether you are in your 20’s or 30’s or any other age — you can benefit from reading this book.

I’ll be taking a quick look myself, and I might even post a review. So far, it looks like we can all learn a thing or two from this handy resource.

Click here to download the ebook. Once you’ve read it, feel free to share your comments with us.