Let’s face it being an Overseas Filipino Worker ( OFW) can be challenging and every penny counts. We know all too well the never-ending cycle of earning wages, sending money back home, and setting aside a budget to help you get by, from paying your rent to food. You need money to live abroad and, at the same time, need money for your family in the Philippines. Sometimes, you’ll wonder if your purpose is just to be a breadwinner and go through the mundane cycle of life until the end.
It’s important to be financially literate or wise with your money as an OFW, since contrary to popular belief, being an OFW doesn’t mean you’re living the life of a millionaire. You can break the vicious cycle of being unable to save money, going broke, and securing yourself for a bright future beyond being an OFW. Here are the best financial or wealth-related books to empower you to handle your finances well and live a debt-free and happy life!
1. How to YOLO Wisely by Nomad Finance Girl
“Live intentionally. Ask and face bigger questions. Ask why. Do not allow others to define who you are and who you can be. Your downfall starts when you try to prove yourself to others.” This book is relatable and conversational; you’ll feel like you’re talking to a personal finance mentor or wise friend.
Nomad Finance Girl, a.k.a. Nikki Jurado, is an online influencer that talks about her journey to becoming a multiple business entrepreneur and everything about wealth and business. This book will encourage you to take action in becoming financially wiser and navigate adulting life with grace. It’s the type of book with plenty of personal life lessons and educational content,.
This book is perfect for OFW since its jampacked with pinoy nuances that will make you feel everything from philosophy to movies, you’ ’ll learn a lot from this book. Whether you’re a beginner or an aspiring personal finance coach, you’ll learn a thing or two with How to YOLO Wisely.
2. The Financial Diet: A Total Beginner’s Guide to Getting Good with Money by Chelsea Fagan and Lauren Ver Hage
If you’re familiar with The Financial Diet’s YouTube channel, you’ll love reading this book! It’s the kind of book millennials or Gen Z should read to avoid being overwhelmed by complicated financial or money culture. It’s a book that educates, inspires, and makes you laugh about the modern culture that we live in. This type of book feels like you’re talking to a friend rather than getting preached at.
Most millennials or Gen Z’s are into educational or self-help books that will help them be better version of themselves, especially regarding money. You’ll love reading this book since it echoes the type of content they have online, from commentaries on the latest movies to educational essay videos. You’ll not get bored reading this book, and it’ll make you feel empowered to learn more about personal finance and will not intimidate you on the get-go!
3. Diary of a Pulubi: 22 Money Lessons on How To Avoid Becoming Broke by Chinkee Tan
This book, published by Filipino entrepreneur Chinkee Tan, is a no-nonsense yet highly engaging book that will help you be financially responsible. Whether you’re an OFW or not, you’ll learn a lot from this book since it talks about the real-life scenarios of why most Filipinos are broke and stuck in a vicious cycle of not saving money.
It’s a dose of reality everyone will need, especially if you’re a breadwinner or someone who wants to put their money to good use; this book should be your go-to! It’s in Tag-lish or Tagalog and English which makes it easy to understand and grasp complicated financial aspects.
4. Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki
“Rule One. You must know the difference between an asset and a liability, and buy assets. It is Rule No. 1. It is the only rule.” You can love or hate this book but you’ll learn something from it, This book is a non-fiction take of the author’s life growing up with two dads ( one his biological father and the father of his best friend and how these two men in his life shaped the way he looks at money.You’ll learn a lot from this book about important topics such as educational systems, accounting, investing, and taxes to name a few.
We highly recommend this book if you want to learn more about personal finance and expand your thinking about money. Since most OFWS have a mindset of working hard to climb up the corporate ladder to earn more, this book will challenge the way you think and inspire you to be financially independent, try your hand on entrepreneurship.Since as OFW’s you’ll never know until when you’ll be abroad and being wiser with your money is important.
5. How to win friends & Influence people by Dale Carnegie
“By fighting you never get enough, but by yielding you get more than you expected.” You probably heard this book being recommended by a friend or have seen its raving reviews online. Maybe you’ve seen this book sitting in best seller lists in bookstores near you. This book will help you build meaningful relationships and influence them in an impactful way.
It’s a guide that is jampacked with valuable lessons in life and business that makes it one of the best books for aspiring entrepreneurs or people who want to be more educated in life. Give this book a try since many readers said it’s a life-changing book and learn about human psychology and business, and you can also apply the principles you’ll learn in this book in all aspects of your life.
6. Wais Na Misis: The Wise Homemaker by Neri Miranda
“It wasn’ t always easy for me, but when life threw me lemons I didn’t dodge or flinch. Instinctively, I caught every piece and turned the bunch into lemonade, lemon meringue pie, lemon-scented hand soap, and home deodorizer, and sold them all!”
This handy guide is a must for OFW’s since you’ll learn practical tips from celebrity turned entrepreneur and online influencer Neri Miranda. If you’ve been following her online, you’ll know she’s an advocate for wives to be an entrepreneur and sharing insightful tips about making profit and her numerous successful business ventures.
You’ll be inspired reading this book since it’s a no-nonsense, funny yet highly engaging book that invites you to see the behind the scenes life of Neri Miranda aside from being an entrepreneur, a mom and a wife to the one and only Chito Miranda by Parokya ni Edgar. If you don’t like reading business or personal finance books that are intimidating or too preachy, here’s a book you can immerse yourself in and learn with every page! You’ll love each story Neri shares in this book, and it will inspire you to be wiser with your finances and try your hand at entrepreneurship ASAP!
7. Girls That Invest by Simran Kaur
“Because money provides freedom: The freedom to say yes or no, the freedom to handle whatever life throws at you, and the freedom to grow and prosper.” Simran Kaur is known for the Girls that Invest podcast, and if you want to get more insight into the world of investment in a lighthearted and educational way, get this book! It has plenty of actionable steps, and you’ll find this guide really helpful if you have any questions about the stock markets and everything in between.
It will encourage OFWs, whether men or women, to aim to be financially independent and build generational wealth rather than the usual living paycheck after paycheck lifestyle. This book will help you be economically literate, from the basics to the complicated ones, simplified through analogies, pop culture references, and the modern issues facing the world. You’ll love reading this book since it will empower you to break barriers and be the best version of yourself through education.
8. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
“The starting point of all achievement is DESIRE. Keep this constantly in mind. Weak desire brings weak results, just as a small fire makes a small amount of heat.” If you’re looking for a finance book filled with positive thinking and philosophy along with steps that will help you be more educated in personal finance and life, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill should be on your to-be-read list! It will help you change your money mindset, understand basic to complicated money principles, and help you visualize a life that is abundant and productive.
9. The Simple Path to Wealth: Your road map to financial independence and a rich, free life by J.L. Collins
“There are many things money can buy, but the most valuable of all is freedom. Freedom to do what you want and to work for whom you respect.” This book is known to be easy to understand and incredibly valuable, and it tackles complicated topics such as investment strategies and personal finance terms in an easy-to-digest manner.
You don’t have to worry if you’re not well-versed in all things finance since this book has a fun yet casual writing style that won’t intimidate you but educate you further in an engaging way! You’ll love this book since I’ll also teach you how to manage your money wisely and care about retirement planning no matter your age.