Are post-holiday bills looking a little scary? Remember, there’s nothing more budget-friendly than the library! NOPL has free materials to borrow, free online resources, and free events all year round. Are you interested in introductory information about budgeting and investing in everyday language? Below are a few book titles to check out, some available as e-books. There are many more to discover in the OCPL catalog. Or call, e-mail or visit a NOPL location and ask a librarian for help with title suggestions!
There’s a great online resource on NOPL’s website called the Financial Wellness Center, which you can access without a library card (no login required). This site has clear and basic information about these topics and more:
- Learning to budget
- Building credit/credit scores
- Managing debt
- Planning for an emergency
- Basic saving
- Investing
- Giving to charity
You’ll also find tools such as an easy-to-use Budget Calculator and Debt Payoff Calculator plus Investment, Interest, and Tax Calculators.
Buy What You Love Without Going Broke: transform your spending and get more of what money can’t buy, by Jenn Smith and Jill Sirianni
A relatable personal finance guide that gives a fresh take on how to control your impulse spending so you can stick to a budget and pay off debt, without the guilt and shame of traditional financial advice – from the hosts of the beloved Frugal Friends podcast.
Budgeting for Dummies, by Athena Valentine Lent (eBook)
Author Athena Valentine, founder of the Money Smart Latina blog, offers step-by-step details for creating and following a budget without feeling like you’re depriving yourself and your family.
Invest Like a Girl: Jump into the stock market, reach your money goals, and build wealth, by Jessica Spangler
An approachable, empowering guide to investing that helps you level the financial playing field, move toward financial independence, and grow your money, from one of the internet’s favorite personal finance educators.
Money Out Loud: all the financial stuff no one taught us, by Berna Anat
In this nonfiction teen book, “financial hype woman” Berna Anat explains all the stuff young adults need to know about personal finance, covering everything from how and why to make a budget, to understanding the inequalities of our economy and how to work to change them.
How Not to Invest by Barry Ritholtz
“How Not To Invest‘ lays out the most common errors investors make. Barry Ritholtz reveals his favorite mistakes, including the lessons we can learn from some of the wealthiest and most error-prone investors.
Personal Finance in your 20s and 30s by Eric Tyson
Bestselling author and money management guru Eric Tyson shares simple guidance on budgeting, investing, insurance, housing, and more, walking you through how to make the decisions you’ll need to make to set yourself up for the rest of your life.
