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Book Recommendations

Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life

Book by Dr Henry Cloud & Dr John Townsend

This is the book I gift the most! We all have boundaries and sometimes we do not state them clearly. This book helps determine where and how we need to communicate openly about our physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental boundaries that we assume others understand. The majority of the people I have met struggle with saying "no." This book helps you understand that "no" is a complete sentence! For those of us, like me, who needed to say "yes" more often you learn the tools to do so. The question "are setting boundaries unloving or selfish?" is answered in detail. Spoiler alert: not setting clear boundaries is unloving and selfish!

Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action

Book by Simon Sinek

After being told for years to pickup this book, I finally did in 2019! A great read and if you are a visual person, check out Simon Sinek on YouTube. To sum this book up in one sentence: It is not WHAT you do, it is WHY you do it. With whatever you do, start with why. Ask the question! Then ask it again and again and again. I am a person who wants to understand why I am told to do something. I do not blindly follow you, especially if there is no trust. By moving from what you do, to how you do it and ultimately, to why you do it will put you in the elite of the elite, both personally and professionally. You will learn how to gain leadership skills that sets you apart from the majority.

Simple Wealth, Inevitable Wealth: How You and Your Financial Advisor Can Grow Your Fortune in Stock Mutual Funds

Book by Nick Murray

By far my favourite investing book (and I have read dozens!). Nick Murray wrote this in the last century, in 1999. His research and accurate words still ring true today! The most powerful line I took away states: "isn't investing in the stock market risky?" Nick says: "it is risky NOT to be investing in the stock market!" This is true. A lot of people want to play it safe with bonds or certificates of deposits (CD's) but they forget to calculate inflation (it is coming from behind very quickly). I have been investing regularly since I left high school and by investing in solid growth stock mutual funds, I am seeing increased returns over time and it is simply magic. Compound interest is your best friend when it comes to you money. By working with a professional (financial advisor) that has the heart of a teacher will make sure you do not jump in and out of the market at the exact wrong time!

The Total Money Makeover: Classic Edition: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness

Book by Dave Ramsey

The man that changed my life! I teach exactly what Dave teaches and love that these steps work during good time and bad times. The 7 Baby Steps are there for you to win financially. Dave hates debt and he is most well known for getting others out of debt. Very practical and easy to follow steps to tell your money where to go, instead of wondering where it went. "Live on less than you make, a concept that congress can't grasp."

The Barefoot Investor: The Only Money Guide You'll Ever Need

Book by Scott Pape

For those in Australia, Scott has written a great book with a good plan. I always tell people, if you don't have a plan, then Scott's plan is better than no plan. I personally live by and teach similar steps but in a different order. You will gain a sense of control and steps in the right direction when you go through the barefoot investor. We all need to have a plan for our money. Scott teaches ways to become wiser, save more, give more, find the right bank and retirement funds, along with the psychological side of things of knowing if you will have enough when you do retire. It doesn't have to be millions of dollars once you calculate your needs and wants at that time.

The Millionaire Next Door: The Surprising Secrets of America's Wealthy

Book by Thomas J. Stanley

If you want to become a millionaire, then you need to do what millionaires do. This was one of the first books I read during my journey of learning. Thomas Stanley captured this very well and in high detail with charts, graphs, and stats for fellow nerds to read through. The stats blew me away with how the average millionaire lived their life and it proved to me that over time I can do the same. Since then, I have learned that if we all do what they do, eventually you will build a high net worth. Some examples are pay cash for everything, drive a car that is 5 years old, have a budget, and spend little on clothes. 

Top Five Regrets of the Dying: A Life Transformed by the Dearly Departing

Book by Bronnie Ware

Interviews of people that were nearing the end of their lives. Bronnie was in a unique position in her job to be able to take care of and connect with those that knew they were dying. Some old and some not so old. This book touches on their top five regrets. They are: I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me. I wish I hadn't worked so much. I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends. I wish that I had let myself be happier. It was such a moving read and I cried throughout these touching stories. It shifted a lot in me and I was able to make life changes because I did not want to be on my death bed with similar regrets!

Keys to the Kingdom

Book by Alison Armstrong

This helped me understand more of myself as a man and the stages in which I go through during my life's journey. I have re-read this book multiple times and take away something different each time. Alison shares a story of love, friendship and rekindled romance. I recommend this for men and women of all ages as Alison provides information to implement as you go through the book. It has been and continues to be a powerful book in my relationships with friends, family and my romantic partner. I trust this read will do the same for you!

The Queen's Code

Book by Alison Armstrong

WOW! A must read if you have been in a relationship, are in one currently, or want to be in one in the future. Alison has a powerful story to share to help men and woman understand themselves and each other. She goes through eight points of view to give a deep dive inside the hearts and minds of both men and women as we struggle to understand ourselves and each other!

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Books. Big Profits)

Book by John C. Bogle

I personally love Jack Bogle for he is the man that founded The Vanguard Group. I personally invest using Vanguard in the US and Australia. Naturally I wanted to learn from the man I have heard so much about. He teaches to be wise with your money, invest in things you understand, and make sure you invest in a way that you can sleep at night. Bogle is all about buying and holding for the long term. He is the hero of many investors, including Warren Buffett!

MONEY Master the Game: 7 Simple Steps to Financial Freedom

Book by Tony Robbins

Get ready for a thick book! This nearly 700 page book is an amazing interview style book that Tony Robbins put together after seeking advice from the top leaders in the financial world. Some of these legendary investors were John Bogle, Warren Buffett, Paul Tudor Jones, Ray Dalio, and Carl Icahn. There are plenty of tips and tricks for you to win financially. One being what is your definition of becoming financially free. What are your dreams and goals? How much do those things actually cost? Have you priced them out? Could you rent an island for 2 weeks instead of buying one? Tony makes you think deeper on all of these questions. He will challenge you and your beliefs that you have been taught.