Best Personal Finance Books for Australians in 2025
My no-nonsense recommendations for real life money progress
I’ve pulled together a shortlist of personal finance books I regularly recommend to clients.
These aren’t just international bestsellers, they’re books that actually help Aussies make progress with their money, depending on where they’re at and what they want next.
Some books go deep on detail, which can be helpful.
Others focus more on concepts, which I often find more valuable, especially when you’re time-poor and looking for clarity, not complication.
Here are my top picks:
1. The Psychology of Money – Morgan Housel
If I had to recommend just one book to shift how you think about money, this would be it.
It’s not about budgeting, interest rates or product comparisons. It’s about how we behave with money – and why logic often takes a backseat to emotion, fear, and our personal stories.
The key reason I love this book is because it’s timeless. Whether you’re just starting out or already building serious wealth, the insights here are useful at every stage.
I see it a lot, people get serious about money and immediately zoom in on technical stuff: spreadsheets, performance, tax.
But most of your financial outcomes come from how you make decisions, not what product you pick.
If you want to stay clear-headed and avoid big mistakes, this book is a great place to start.
2. The Barefoot Investor – Scott Pape
This one’s become a household name, and for good reason.
It’s simple. It’s practical. And it gets a lot of people moving in the right direction especially if they’ve never had structure with money before.
It’s a great starting point if you:
Want to get out of debt
Need a basic system to follow
Prefer a no-fluff, action-first approach
But… it’s not for everyone.
This book is written for the average Aussie battler, and that shows in the tone and recommendations. If you’re a high income earner, have ambitious goals, or are already investing – a lot of the guidance here will feel a bit dated or too one-size-fits-all.
Some of the advice around super, insurance, and investments doesn’t hold up in today’s environment – especially if you’re looking for tailored strategies or more control over your finances.
And full transparency – a decade ago I worked in an advice firm that had a referral relationship with Scott. He’s done a lot of good, but over the years he’s become increasingly anti-financial adviser, possibly due to his history in stock broking which is very sales focused. I’d just say the landscape has shifted a lot since the early 2000s.
3. Sort Your Money Out: and Get Invested – Glen James
This is like a modern, less preachy version of Barefoot – but better suited for those earning a solid income or who want to go beyond the basics.
It’s written by Glen James, an ex-financial adviser, and you can feel that background throughout the book. There’s structure, practicality, and a decent bit of personality too.
What stood out to me was how he talks about moving away from trading time for money.
Most books in the finance section never touch this, even though that’s how many people actually build wealth through business ownership or strategic work-life design.
This one covers the essentials but also starts nudging you toward bigger thinking. For professionals or dual-income households looking to level up, this is a great read.
4. Your Money or Your Life – Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
This is a classic in the personal finance world.
It’s been around for decades and is less about the technical side of money, more about the relationship you have with it.
This is the book I recommend to people who are at a crossroads. Maybe thinking about a career shift, downsizing their life, or just wanting to reassess what actually matters.
It reframes money as a tool, not the goal. And in a world where it’s easy to get caught up chasing more, this book reminds you to pause and ask, “Why?”
Final Thoughts
Money is personal. And not every book will hit at the right time or in the right way for you.
Start with one that speaks to your current situation.
If you’ve never read a finance book before, Psychology of Money is a great intro.
If you’re looking for deeper thinking and want to stop second-guessing your money choices, Barefoot Investor might be more your speed.
These aren’t the only good books out there, but they’re ones I keep coming back to with clients who want clarity, not complexity.