Hit the books

Personal Finance | For good advice on money management, these five are hard to beat | David Bahnsen

Illustration by Krieg Barrie

I am often asked what books I have read that have influenced me as a financial planner. The very fact that you are reading this column right now probably suggests that you have an interest in furthering your understanding of investing, finances, and planning. The following books are a small selection of available material out there that may be of interest to you. There are elements of each book that I may not fully agree with, but each of these books provides valuable and insightful contributions to those looking to expand their own financial education.

The Intelligent Investor

Benjamin Graham

This masterpiece of an apologetic for "value investing" was the largest influence on a young Warren Buffett. Graham argues that fundamentally, stocks are discounting mechanisms for the future earnings of a company. When a company returns some of its profit to its shareholders, and when stocks are fairly (or cheaply) valued, they represent a compelling investment. This is an excellent choice for those looking to understand how stock investors make money.