12 books to read this year if you want to get rich

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■12 books to read this year if you want to get rich

• Kathleen Elkins

Andrew Burton/Getty

The wealthiest, most successful people bury themselves in books. They commit to self-education long after they've finished college or any formal education.

To help make 2016 a prosperous year, we've highlighted twelve of our favorite personal finance books — one for each month — from century-old classics to hot new releases.

No guarantees you'll get rich, but it can't hurt to kick off the new year with one of these gems:                           

'Think and Grow Rich,' by Napoleon Hill

Wilder Publications

Prompted by legendary businessman Andrew Carnegie, who turned a few nickels and dimes into a fortune, journalist Napoleon Hill researched more than 500 self-made millionaires over 20 years before releasing his 1937 best-seller, "Think and Grow Rich."

He boils down the "secret" to building wealth in 13 principles and reveals "major causes of failure" that hold many of us back from getting rich.

There is no mention of "money," "wealth," "finances," or "stocks" within Hill's text; he takes a different approach, focusing on breaking down the psychological barriers that prevent many of us from attaining our own fortunes.

'The Total Money Makeover: A Proven Plan for Financial Fitness,' by Dave Ramsey

Amazon

If you're looking for a true financial tune-up, financial guru Dave Ramsey's best-seller will do the trick. Ramsey doesn't shower his readers with quick fixes in "The Total Money Makeover." He provides a bold approach to finance matters and gets to the bottom of money problems: you.

Along the way, he debunks many money myths and attacks the idea of the American Dream.

Several success stories back up Ramsey's simple, no-nonsense approach, including a couple who paid off $110,000 of debt in two years and a family that got into $109,000 of credit card debt while earning six figures ... and then paid it off in four years.

'Money Guide 2016,' by Jonathan Clements

Amazon

The Wall Street Journal's personal finance columnist Jonathan Clements updates his money guide every year, and the 2016 version is officially out.

"Money Guide 2016" offers concise, easy-to-read chapters on just about every money related topic out there: from retirement accounts and kiddie tax to student loans and today's real estate market.

Clements also outlines how to build your personal financial plan in 18 simple steps, critical "do's and don'ts" for 2016, updated tax information for 2016, and new statistics on the economy, markets, and how Americans are faring financially.

'Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!,' by Robert Kiyosaki

Plata Publishing

Multimillionaire Robert Kiyosaki tells the story of two dads — his own, and the father of his best friend — in his personal finance classic "Rich Dad, Poor Dad."

His definition of wealth places significantly more weight on the money you have saved for tomorrow — whether for retirement, emergencies, or major events and purchases — than the money you have available to spend today.

His philosophy worked for "Shark Tank" investor Daymond John, who said the book changed his life.

'The Index Card: Why Personal Finance Doesn't Have to Be Complicated,' by Helaine Olen and Harold Pollack

Amazon

University of Chicago professor Harold Pollack made a splash in 2013 when he offhandedly noted during an interview with financial journalist Helaine Olen that the correct financial advice for most people can fit on a three-by-five inch index card. 

Pollack then posted a photograph of the index card on his blog and things quickly went viral. 

His point was that personal finance doesn't have to be complicated. In "The Index Card," he teams up with Olen to explain the ten simple rules of the index card and why they outperform the complicated financial strategies out there.

'How Rich People Think,' by Steve Siebold

London House/Amazon

Steve Siebold spent 30 years interviewing over 1,200 millionaires and billionaires to figure out what it is exactly that they're doing right. "Everyone has the same opportunity to acquire wealth," he wrote on Business Insider.

"How Rich People Think" provides insights into becoming wealthy, broken down into bite-sized chapters perfect for reading on the subway or over lunch. In it, Siebold recommends further reading and concrete action steps to help ambitious young people build their own wealth.

'The Richest Man in Babylon,' by George S. Clason

Wikimedia Commons

George S. Clason's timeless 1926 classic simplifies everything you need to know about personal finance. He articulates the steps to get rich through a collection of amusing parables based in the wealthiest city of the ancient world: Babylon.

The "secret" to getting rich is not much of a secret at all, Clason preaches throughout "The Richest Man in Babylon." All it takes is the ability to grasp a few simple — yet highly effective — concepts, such as paying yourself first, living below your means, and investing in yourself.

'The Automatic Millionaire: A Powerful One-Step Plan to Live and Finish Rich,' by David Bach

Amazon

We all want to know the secret to getting rich — the one thing we can do to become a millionaire. In "The Automatic Millionaire," David Bach reveals his take on that enticing secret.

The bestselling author starts with the story of an average American couple who managed to own two debt-free homes, send two kids to college, and retire at the age of 55 with over $1 million dollars in savings.

You'll have to read to find out how they did it.

'Rich Habits: The Daily Success Habits of Wealthy Individuals,' by Thomas Corley

Langdon Street Press

Author Thomas Corley spent five years studying the lives of both rich people and poor people, and managed to segment out what he calls "rich habits" and "poverty habits," meaning the tendencies of those who fit in each group. In "Rich Habits," he outlines his findings.

Dedicate 2016 to developing Corley's "rich habits." If something as simple as regular exercise or calling friends on their birthdays can increase your chances of attaining wealth, what have you got to lose?

'The Little Book of Common Sense Investing,' by John C. Bogle

Amazon

One of the most effective ways to get rich is to invest.

If you're not sure where to start when it comes to investing, pick up a copy of John Bogle's, "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing." Endorsed by Warren Buffett, the quick read outlines smart investing strategies and tells you specifically how to use index funds to build wealth.

Bogle, founder of the Vanguard Group and creator of the world's first index fund, explains why these relatively straightforward vehicles can be so effective — and warns against investment fads and fashions.

'The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways To Stop Doing Dumb Things With Money,' by Carl Richards

Amazon

Oftentimes, it's the little mistakes that add up and prevent many of us from building wealth.

In "The Behavior Gap," financial planner Carl Richards focuses on the silly mistakes people make over and over again — spending money they don't have, buying high because everyone else is, buying things that aren't meaningful — and explains how our natural instincts lead us astray even when we know what we should be doing instead.

Using simple, funny situations anyone can relate to, Richards also offers easy tips and suggestions on how to break these instinctual bad money habits.

'The Power of Broke: How Empty Pockets, a Tight Budget, and a Hunger for Success Can Become Your Greatest Competitive Advantage,' by Daymond John

Amazon

"Shark Tank" investor and entrepreneur Daymond John was broke with a $40 budget when he was starting FUBU, which today is a $6 billion brand.

He says there's at least one major bright side to being broke — its ability to spark urgency and innovation — and details his journey from boot-strapped to wealthy in "The Power of Broke."

John's book won't be released until January 19, but it's sure to be a fun, informative read.

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