Here are the top 8 books on financial literacy as voted by the public in the Money Awareness and Inclusions Awards 2022. 

While they are all really useful individually, collectively they show the efforts being made all over the world to help people improve their finances – and how to understand their money.

Our winner hails from Australia, but we had finalists from the USA, UK, Canada, Nigeria, Malaysia and Singapore. There were books aimed at children, teens, young adults, women – and anyone who wants to invest. In the testimonials and reviews, we read for these books (one each featured below), reactions ranged from behaviour changing to even marriage-saving! 

So whoever you are, whatever your financial education needs, have a look through the top 8 books from the MAIAs 2022, and see if there is something for you, your family or your friends.

(We make don’t make any kind of commission from the links).

Money School: Become financially independent and reclaim your life by Lacey Filipich

“From the founder of Money School comes an approachable and inspiring guide to taking control of your money and your time so you can build the life you want. ‘Time poor’ is the catch-cry of our era, and yet end-of-life retirement means we have an average of two decades of feeling time-rich to look forward to . . . when we’re old.”

TESTIMONIAL: ‘I love the down-to-earth and practical advice. Not only does this book de-mystify the money maze, but it also provides a step-by-step guide on how to achieve meaningful financial freedom no matter what your circumstances or stage in life.

The Missing Second Semester By Gene Natali

This second book in the Missing Semester series addresses the most overlooked subject in financial-literacy education-investing. Primarily addressing students and recent graduates, its lessons are not laden with jargon; its focus is topics and choices that apply to most young people, not just a few, and not those relevant only late in life.

TESTIMONIAL: “Gene’s book is a roadmap to financial empowerment. What a gift to the next generation!”

Grandpa’s Fortune Fables by Will Rainey

Grandpa’s stories, which Gail shares, help her friend learn how to earn, save and grow his money. Using seeds and trees to represent money, the stories are visual and easy to remember. After each story, Gail explains how she’s applying the lessons by starting a business, saving and investing her money.

TESTIMONIAL: “When my 11yr old son goes off to a friend’s party I have been wrapping up your book as a gift and popping £10 in. My son writes them a happy birthday note telling them to invest it wisely! The parents have loved it”

Ki$$ by Rohit Gupta

“Key investment concepts are very simple, but get lost in a world of twenty-four-hour global financial news coverage. This book embodies independence, thrift, and self-reliance. The emphasis is not on math and formulas but basic concepts.”

TESTIMONIAL: The author has done a wonderful job in explaining complex matters in a fun light-hearted way and was able to make “boring topics” intriguing and interesting. There were several occasions where I found myself laughing out loud…

Money Matter$ by Mathura Kannan

Join Mathura as she recollects her journey of discovering money, its uses and the other beautiful aspects of growing up into adulthood. From starting an international youth movement and social enterprise to building a career in the world of accounting and finance, she shares her journey of discovering herself and creating her reality.

TESTIMONIAL: Hai Mathura.  Just finished reading your book “MONEY MATTER$”. It’s amazing. Thank you for sharing a part of your life and the most important part that clicked with me throughout the book is your “truthfulness”. I can relate to the mistakes that you did.. and the way you learned from your mistakes… and I am learning from it too… like still hahaha… Alongside, I have learned many other small little things from your book on finance, budget, relationship, emotions, etc. Thank you, Mathura. Keep rocking…

Lessons on Mastering Money: The Personal Finance Guide for Canadians in their 20s & 30s by Fred Masters

Would it surprise you to learn that ‘money worries’ rank as the top source of stress for our younger Canadians? Wondering what you should have been taught in school about money? Help is here! Lessons on Mastering Money is the critically-acclaimed personal finance guide for Canadians in their 20s and 30s.

TESTIMONIAL: “Lessons on Mastering Money is a ‘must-read’ for any Canadian under the age of 40, and is an important contribution to promoting the financial wellness and resiliency of Canadians.”

The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life by Robin Taub

If you’re too busy parenting to read another parenting book, The Wisest Investment is the book for you! Most parents know that teaching their kids about money is critical to success in life, but studies show that many parents feel they lack the time, knowledge and experience to do it well. Add the seismic shift toward a cashless, digital society — accelerated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic — and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.

TESTIMONIAL: I just finished reading your book. It was so practical. I appreciated and agreed with what you presented. There are a few tips like investing my daughter’s saved money that I am taking care of this week.

THE SMART MONEY WOMAN by Arese Ugwu

The smart money woman is a fictional story set in Lagos, Nigeria with lots of important personal finance lessons to teach. It tells the story of an African girl named Zuri who on the outside looks like she’s financially successful but goes through a series of mishaps that help her realize she is broke and needs to make better financial decisions.

TESTIMONIAL: Arese, your book just saved my marriage, it’s that powerful. I wish I could call and tell you the many ways you have saved me but I know you are very busy.

The above testimonials are given by the author of this article Michael Gilmore, Creator of the MAIAs.