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The 7 Best Books on Finance for Teens in 2021

Research has repeatedly shown that people who learn about financial literacy as teenagers are more likely to achieve financial freedom leading up to, and after retirement.

Generational financial illiteracy is a seldom discussed issue in Nigeria. No wonder schools hardly ever teach it. In fact, most students in Nigeria first encounter the term ‘financial literacy’ at the tertiary school level, possibly as an ignorable part of their broad coursework. That, unsurprisingly, leaves many young Nigerians (and Africans) feeling lost as far as basic money management goes.

However, research has repeatedly shown that people who learn about financial literacy as teenagers are more likely to achieve financial freedom leading up to, and after retirement, powered by well-learned savings/investment habits. Those with a low level of financial literacy as teenagers, on the other hand, are shown to be less likely to plan for retirement and more likely to take on excess debt.

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Interestingly, that financial education can begin with something as simple as reading a book, which could greatly impact a person’s financial trajectory through the course of their life.

Therefore, come with us to learn about the seven golden finance books for teens of various ages and reading levels. Some are even suitable for pre-teens, and all strike a great balance between educating and empowering the reader.

#1: I Will Teach You to Be Rich

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“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi is a great book for older teenagers who want to begin adulthood on the right financial foot. Sethi’s writing style and straight-talking stance on financial responsibility will resonate with young readers.

The New York Times best-selling book offers a simplified approach to financial literacy that focuses on motivation and goal setting rather than reactionary decision making or painstaking optimization.

#2: What You Should Have Learned About Money, But Never Did

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Best suited for older teens, “What You Should Have Learned About Money, But Never Did” offers readers an introduction to personal finance basics like establishing financial goals, paying down debt, starting an emergency fund, and saving for retirement. The author’s conversational writing style and focus on setting up good habits early on make this a great book for teens who are entering the workforce for the first time. 

Written by Sophia Bera, this approachable read covers teen-friendly subjects like how to start a side hustle and why it’s important to work towards multiple financial goals at the same time, as well as topics more applicable to adults, like student loan repayment and calculating net worth.

#3: The Early Investor

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Authored by Michael Zisa, “The Early Investor” is an excellent read for any motivated young person who has an interest in investing and wealth building. Zisa offers comprehensive answers to questions like “What is investing?” and “Why should I invest in stocks?” as well as guidance on frugal investing, alternative investments, mutual funds, ETFs, and the basic concepts of investing and financial planning. 

While this may sound very grown-up, and in some ways it is, this book, updated in 2020, is unquestionably written for the intelligent teen reader, which is what you are. Along with his consistent highlighting of the power of compounding and the great advantages of investing at a young age, this read is sure to resonate with young investment enthusiasts.

#4: I Want More Pizza

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“I Want More Pizza” by Steve Burkholder approaches the subject of personal finance in a way that’s accessible to kids. Burkholder’s writing is entertaining and clear, offering the young reader plenty of relatable anecdotes, examples, and hypothetical questions to ponder. Rather than just telling, Burkholder shows the reader why and how managing money well is so important. 

The book includes an engaging introductory section followed by four larger sections, each referred to as “slices.”

The first slice covers “You” and is focused on the reader’s relationship to money, behaviour with money, and future goals. The second slice is titled “Saving” and does an excellent job covering the basics of tracking spending and saving money, even on a small income.

The third slice, “Growing Your Savings,” is dedicated to investing and compound growth. The fourth and final slice is called “Debt,” which explains debt, credit cards, and paying for college. “I Want More Pizza” is an all-around great introduction to financial literacy for teens and pre-teens.

#5: Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?

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Aimed at secondary school and university students, “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” by Cary Siegel is a great book for teens of any age who want to learn the principles that underlie lifelong financial health. Rather than giving traditional budgeting how-to’s or specific investment advice, Siegel’s book outlines the larger habits and life planning skills that contribute to a person’s financial outcomes. Breaking each principle into its own chapter makes this book an especially good fit for teens who prefer perusing chapters sporadically, rather than reading a book start-to-finish.

Some of Siegel’s principles are well-trod personal finance concepts such as living within your means and discerning between wants and needs, but others touch on larger life decisions, like how your marriage impacts your financial life. Siegel is excellent at writing for the young reader, and the lessons he imparts in “Why Didn’t They Teach Me This in School?” provide an excellent basis for future money-saving habits.

#6: Clever Girl Finance

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“Clever Girl Finance” reads like a companionable book about personal empowerment while also comprehensively teaching the reader about the nuts and bolts of personal finance. While not written specifically for teenagers, this book by Bola Sokunbi provides an elegant approach to holistic money management. Sokunbi’s writing style is so relatable and personable, that secondary school-aged readers who shy away from other personal finance books may well find themselves eagerly devouring “Clever Girl Finance.”

This book brings fun into budgeting and investing. However, the first several chapters are dedicated to a personal-growth mindset. Sokunbi also peppers in real-life stories of different women coming to terms with their own finances, as well as lots of direct real-world advice. The result is simultaneously motivating, empowering, and highly educational.

Best for Personal Finance: Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens

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The youthful companion to “Rich Dad Poor Dad,” “Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens” by Robert T. Kiyosaki is sure to be a hit with any young personal finance enthusiast or budding entrepreneur out there. Just as funny, insightful, and informative as the original book, this teen spin-off informs readers on how the money habits of the wealthy differ from everyone else.

In addition to tackling the basics of financial literacy in an age-appropriate way, Kiyosaki writes extensively about ancillary concepts that are vital to financial success, like understanding your own learning style, finding business opportunities, and goal setting. Kiyosaki also dispels common myths that often lead people to believe they can never be wealthy, and in doing so shifts the mindset of the reader. Specifically, the chapters “The Myth of IQ and Intelligence” and “The Rich Think Differently” are sure to get the wheels of young minds turning. 

Finally…

If you’re not sure where to start on your financial literacy journey, we recommend “Rich Dad Poor Dad for Teens” by Robert T. Kiyosaki. While it may not be the last personal finance book you would read, it is an excellent starter book for any teen interested in building wealth. Kiyosaki’s wit and holistic approach to both making and saving money make this personal finance classic a page-turner as well as an invaluable educational tool.

Note:

These books were chosen based on a variety of factors, including the author’s subject matter expertise, especially gathered via recommendations from the Investopedia Financial Review Board, bestseller lists and award winners for titles written by true financial experts, and stellar online reviews. We also considered the usefulness of the advice in the books as well as the entertainment value and writing style.

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Board of Trustees

Dr. Waheed Awonuga

Member, Board of Trustees

Waheed Oyetola Awonuga is a trained Medical Doctor with five years of ongoing practice experience, specialising in Family Medicine. He is also an entrepreneur with a knack for developing ideas that are not only bankable but profitable.

Waheed attended Santa Maria Private School in Mushin and Government College Ikorodu. He holds a Diploma in Data Processing from Olabisi Onabanjo University and completed his medical education at the University of Sierra Leone, graduating with MBChB (Medicine and Surgery). He passed the West African College of Physicians Primaries Examination at UCH, Ibadan.

Waheed is an alumnus of the Young Africa Leadership Initiative (YALI), Africa Cohort 2. He owns Infinity Creative Media, a media consultancy firm in Freetown, Sierra Leone, and Infinity Print House, a general print firm also based in Sierra Leone.

Waheed is an avid reader and writer who enjoys travelling and spending time with his family.

Management Team​

Hon. Tobi Olatunji

Executive Director

Hon. Tobi Olatunji serves as Executive Director of Teens Going for Gold Network, providing strategic leadership across TGFGN’s programmes and institutional partnerships.

He oversees programme delivery across all five active states and drives the organisation’s evolution into an institutional peace education body, ensuring that TGFGN’s work remains responsive to the complex social realities facing Nigerian youth today.

Management Team​

Ola Olaoluwa

Co-Founder

Olawumi Olaoluwa is a graduate from the Economics department of the University of Benin, Nigeria. He is also the Creative Director of JOSEL kolektionz, a clothing line.

Vocationally, he is a writer, content developer, actor, and leadership enthusiast. One of the pioneer volunteers of Teens Going for Gold Network, Olawumi has over five years of experience in teen mentoring and coaching. He currently serves as Director of Human Resources.

In his own words: “The opportunity Teens Going for Gold Network presents me with to impact teenagers with qualitative and sustainable education is the main attraction the organisation holds for me.”

Board of Trustees

Dr. Mala Mustapha

Member, Board of Trustees

Dr. Mala Mustapha is an academic and development professional with deep expertise in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and institutional governance.

His scholarly and practitioner experience spans multiple Nigerian states and regional contexts, providing TGFGN with critical insight into the structural dimensions of peace and security in Northern Nigeria and the Lake Chad Basin region.

Board of Trustees

Idayat Hassan

Chair, Board of Trustees

Idayat Hassan is a leading expert in security, governance, and democracy in West Africa. She serves as the Director of the Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD), one of the region’s foremost policy research and advocacy organisations.

Her work spans election monitoring, conflict prevention, and democratic institution building across Nigeria and the broader West African sub-region. She brings decades of governance expertise to TGFGN’s Board of Trustees.

Management Team​

Godsgift Chayil Obi

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Godsgift Chayil Obi serves as Deputy Director of Teens Going for Gold Network, supporting organisational management, programme coordination, and operational delivery.

In this role, she works closely with the Executive Director and management team to ensure that TGFGN’s programmes achieve their intended impact across all active states, maintaining the quality and consistency of delivery that has defined the organisation’s 12-year track record.

Board of Trustees

Dele Olomide​

Member, Board of Trustees

‘Dele Olomide currently leads the Human Resources and Admin function of Clarke Energy Nigeria, the largest authorised distributor and service partner for Jenbacher gas engines and a leading brand in the power and utility sector in Nigeria. His interests are Leadership Development, People Development (Coaching and Mentoring), Organisational Development and Change, Strategy and Growth.

‘Dele is an HR professional with approximately 10 years of generalist experience spanning Manufacturing, IT, Gaming and Energy. He is also an Associate Pastor with El-Shaddai Covenant Church, Lagos. Before now, he has worked with two multinationals, three start-ups, and a Secondary School.

He graduated from the University of Ilorin where he studied Mathematics/Statistics and holds an MBA in Marketing Management. He is an Associate Member of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.

Board of Trustees

Adedolapo Osuntuyi

Member, Board of Trustees

Adedolapo Osuntuyi is a children and education advocate. She is the founder of Dolly Children Foundation, a nonprofit organisation that equips the African Child to adopt twenty-first-century skills through education, capacity building and advocacy programmes.

Inspired by her upbringing, she has a passion for empowering and creating equal opportunities for children from low-income backgrounds. Dolapo has developed organisational strategy and management processes in the Foundation that have impacted over 22,000 children in 25 communities in four states.

Dolapo has over a decade of experience in child protection, early childhood and community development programmes. A graduate of Botany from Lagos State University, she also holds a master’s degree in Child Health and Social Care from the University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom.

In 2015, she received an Africa-America Institute Scholarship to study Social Sector Management at the Enterprise Development Centre, Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria.

Board of Trustees

Adebanke Ilori Oyeniyi

Secretary, Board of Trustees

Adebanke Ilori Oyeniyi is a lawyer and development professional. Her professional experience spans across politics, inclusive governance, and legislative reforms. She serves as the Executive Director of Raising New Voices Initiative and as the Managing Editor of Lawyard, a platform for interactions around the practice of law in Nigeria.

In 2019, Adebanke led New Voices to conduct the national #BreakTheHold campaign providing resources to competent young people under 35 contesting to be members of the Federal House of Representatives. As a woman in politics, she was appointed as the National Publicity Secretary of Kowa Party — making her the youngest female to occupy the position in Nigeria.

As an advocate for social equality, she has championed the right of prison inmates to education in line with the UN Minimum Standard Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, and has worked for the implementation of laws to promote the rights of children and prevention of violence against persons.

As a Pan African, she has facilitated extensive deliberations at the African Union on the importance of youth integration in the actualisation of Agenda 2063.

Adebanke holds a bachelor’s degree in law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, a Certificate in Public Management from Bridgewater State University, Massachusetts, and is pursuing her Master’s in International Development and Policy at the University of Chicago. She is a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow.