Good Reads
The Books That Changed How I Thought About Money
Each of these books completes a different piece of the puzzle — and together with Your Money Diary Blueprint — they give you everything you need to go from money confusion to confident investing. Of the dozen-plus books I read, these were the only beginner finance books I really needed.
*As an Amazon Associate, Golden Pebbles earns from qualifying purchases — at no extra cost to you.
Beat the Bank by Larry Bates
Have you ever sat across from a bank advisor and nodded along without fully understanding what you were agreeing to? If yes, this book is for you. The concept that stopped me in my tracks was the T-Rex Score. It's a calculator that shows how much of your investment return you get to keep, versus what gets paid to fees. When I ran my own numbers, I finally understood how fees were quietly costing me over time. This was the nudge I needed to start taking investing seriously. Bates also introduced a straightforward framework built around two forces: (1) Three wealth builders — the amount you save, your time in the market, and your rate of return; and (2) Three wealth killers — fees, taxes, and inflation. Simple. Memorable. Actionable. After reading this, I moved my investment out of a high-fee mutual fund and never looked back. (Click here to purchase on Amazon.)
Millionaire Teacher by Andrew Hallam
I used to think wealth was reserved for doctors, lawyers, investment bankers, and business owners — people with the high-paying titles and the corner offices. This book dismantled that belief completely. Andrew Hallam was a high school English teacher who became a debt-free millionaire by following a few simple rules. What struck me most was how straightforward his approach actually was. Low-cost index funds, consistent investing, and time in the market. That's the foundation. No hot stock tips, no complicated strategies, no chasing the market — just a sensible, evidence-based plan that anyone with a regular income can follow. If you have ever talked yourself out of investing because you didn't think you made enough money, read this book first. (Click here to purchase on Amazon.)
The Wealthy Barber by David Chilton
When I was first learning about money, I assumed personal finance required complicated spreadsheets and a finance degree to understand. This book was easy to read and is very pertinent to Canadians, written with stories and humour that guided me toward being more confident with money — this was another important stepping-stone in my journey. The 2024 fully updated edition modernizes the original 1989 Canadian classic with current RRSP, TFSA, and FHSA strategies, and it remains the friendliest possible introduction to Canadian personal finance. (Click here to purchase directly from David Chilton's website — this updated edition isn't on Amazon.)
Start with any book that speaks to where you are right now, then come back here, because Your Money Diary Blueprint is where your practical work begins.
Melody On is a participant in the Amazon.com.ca, Inc. Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.ca. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — thank you for supporting Golden Pebbles.
