The best personal finance books by people of color that don’t make you feel bad

Not only does Finance for the People offer a blend of practical personal finance tips while addressing the emotional side of money, but Paco adds over 50 illustrations to help drive her point home.

Any time a book can explain something in diverse ways–from metaphors or stories to graphics–I find them more approachable. Paco's book helps people think critically and compassionately about how their beliefs about money shape their financial choices.

This book mirrors so many of my beliefs about money, making it a frequent go-to recommendation anytime someone asks me for a personal finance resource. 

A common question I'm asked as a financial therapist is, "Why don't people talk about money more?"

In this book, Berna doesn't just talk about the practicalities of money; she gets others' thoughts and opinions on it too. The "Open Mic" section is so powerful. It's a segment sprinkled throughout the book where Berna asks others about money–everything from their financial goals to what they've nicknamed their savings accounts.

When money is so taboo, it's helpful (and fun!) to read about what others are doing with their money. 

I stumbled upon Ramit's work years ago when I started trying to get my financial life together.

At the time, I was checking out armfuls and armfuls of books from the library, but they felt so grossly out of touch with my current financial reality. I wanted practical advice, and in Ramit's book, I found it.

I Will Teach You To Be Rich walks readers through how to focus more on big financial matters, like automating savings and retirement contributions in low-cost index funds, instead of focusing on $5 and $10 purchases.

His philosophy is that everyone's version of a "rich life" is different, and rather than trying to shoehorn someone else's financial philosophy into yours, it's imperative to consider your life's needs and wants and prioritize spending and to save in the areas that will bring you the most joy and security. 

Julien and Kiersten Saunders paid off $200k in debt in five years and left their corporate jobs before turning 40.

In most personal finance books with an opening like this, you'd have to buckle in for a lot of talk about how easy it is to follow their lead if you just "worked harder," but they completely sidestep that trope.

Instead, they help readers reframe their relationship to corporate work, address how racism shows up in work and finances, and help people figure out how to get what they need from their job and leave the toxic rat race behind by creating a "15-year career."

The 15-year career starts by building a financial foundation, leveraging transferrable skills to find the highest-paying positions that need those skills, and creating an emotional and financial exit plan. 

Scarlett believes that money is something to be to improve our lives now and that it's something to save for the future.

She, like me, found far too many people focusing on sacrificing in the short term for the hope that their future would be better. Instead, she defines money as "an essential tool for creating the life I wanted," through that lens, she writes about money. And a tool that can be used now and not only in retirement.

At the end of each chapter, Scarlett summarizes the chapter's topic and gives readers a list of action steps to take. I love that she offers readers actionable advice that they can apply in real-time. The action steps vary between journal-style questions and tactical try-it-out tips.