I shopped around for a good personal financial advisor. (Some of them are just trying to push mutual funds that they get a commission off of -- but the reputab

I shopped around for a good personal financial advisor. (Some of them are just trying to push mutual funds that they get a commission off of -- but the reputable ones will give you really sound and practical advice.) One recommended a really short yet helpful book called "The Wealthy Barber." It explains all the basics of personal finance in the form of a folksy story. (It also makes a good gift if you know someone who's struggling with this.) Another author who writes more detailed books: Venita van Kaspel. I asked my financial advisor which book of hers I should read, and the answer was "anything."