If your 2025 resolution is to build wealth, what better way to start than by taking advice from those who have already navigated the journey? Vincent Chan, a financial influencer who achieved financial freedom in his 20s, has read over 120 money and investing books, and in a recent YouTube video, he shared the underrated reads that impacted his life the most.
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Whether you are a seasoned business owner, an aspiring entrepreneur or just looking to grow the balance in your bank account, take a look at these 13 books that changed how Chan understood wealth and helped him achieve financial success.
‘The Millionaire Next Door’ by Thomas J. Stanley
“The Millionaire Next Door” introduces the concept of the three-layer triangle, a tangible framework for measuring wealth. This straightforward formula evaluates your financial standing based on your net worth, your age and your income, according to Chan.
For Chan, realizing he was only an “AAW” (average accumulator of wealth) on the triangle was a wake-up call that motivated him to push harder toward his goals.
Here’s how it works. Multiply your age and your pretax income, then divide the total by 10. Chan gave the example of a 35-year-old earning $150,000 annually. According to the wealth triangle, their net worth should be around $525,000.
By comparing your actual net worth with this benchmark, you can identify where you fall financially and map out the steps you need to take to get to your desired wealth level, according to Chan.
In fact, money expert Ramit Sethi also mentioned this book in his list of 50 books he loves.
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‘The Psychology of Money’ by Morgan Housel
The next book on Chan’s list is “The Psychology of Money,” which emphasizes that how you act is more important than what you know.
“Most people make their financial decisions based on emotion instead of logic,” Chan said. “But the key to getting rich is being logically consistent in your actions.”
Chan shared the story of his friend Tom, one of the smartest investors he knew. Tom followed the market meticulously — reading charts and following the news. Yet, when the market started to drop, fear drove him to sell everything and start hoarding cash. Meanwhile, Tom’s cousin, who knew little about the stock market, continued with automatic investments in index funds and ultimately came out far ahead.
‘Think and Grow Rich’ by Napoleon Hill
If you think getting rich was just about working hard, think again. In “Think and Grow Rich,” Napoleon Hill introduces the concept of a “definite chief aim,” a strategy where you focus all your efforts on one clear and specific goal.
“When I started my YouTube channel, I wrote my definite chief aim on a sticky note … do YouTube full-time,” Chan said. “Every morning, I would look at that note and I would visualize … all the freedom and flexibility that I would have … When I told my friends and some co-workers about it, they would laugh — but look who’s laughing now.”
Whether you’re paying off debt or saving for a home, once you have your definite chief aim, Hill emphasizes the importance of positive thinking and eliminating mental barriers. Believing in yourself and removing self-sabotaging thoughts are crucial to achieving your goals.
‘Entrepreneur Revolution’ by Daniel Priestley
Rethinking time management and efficiency is at the core of “Entrepreneur Revolution.” For Chan, this book helped reveal that success isn’t just about working hard — it’s about working smarter.
“If you’re spending too much time on repetitive tasks like sorting emails … you can set up a system within your inbox with filters that automatically label and archive your emails,” Chan said.
By setting up efficient systems to automate and delegate low-value tasks, Chan was able to spend more time on more valuable work that had a bigger impact and accelerated his path to success.
‘Unscripted’ by MJ DeMarco
Tired of the 9-to-5 grind? You’re not alone. “Unscripted” highlights how thinking that a salaried job is the only option to make money can prevent you from actively looking for ways to do better, according to Chan.
“A salary is one of the slowest ways to build wealth because your ability to increase it … depends on factors that are completely outside of your control,” Chan said. In fact, according to Harvard Business Review, a high salary likely won’t lead to accumulated wealth, as building wealth requires intentional money management and investing.
Instead, according to Chan, “Unscripted” encourages looking beyond the confines of a traditional paycheck. This book emphasizes breaking free from climbing the corporate ladder and exploring ways to build wealth that are within your control.
‘So Good They Can’t Ignore You’ by Cal Newport
If you enjoy the security of a 9-to-5 job and love your current role, Chan recommended picking up “So Good They Can’t Ignore You.” This book emphasizes the importance of developing a “craftsman mindset” — the deliberate pursuit of mastery in a specific skill to achieve career success.
Chan explained that when he was working in finance, he got tired of doing the same tasks over and over again, so he taught himself a computer programming language and learned how to automate a lot of tasks. “Nobody else in my company knew how to do this, and because I could do something unique and useful, the company saw me as more valuable, and I was able to demand more money,” he said.
By honing specialized skills, you can become increasingly indispensable. As Chan’s experience shows, applying the craftsman mindset to your job can give you more control over your salary, career and financial future.
‘The Unfair Advantage’ by Ash Ali and Hasan Kubba
Harnessing the MILES (money, intelligence, location, education and status) framework forms the blueprint for spotting the “extra leg up” you have to get ahead financially, according to “The Unfair Advantage.” For Chan, the book helped him discover that his unfair advantage is his frugality.
Chan explained that he was always embarrassed that his family shopped with coupons and did other things to save money, but these things gave him a frugal mentality. And that mindset helped him save and invest enough money to eventually quit his 9-to-5 job.
‘The Third Door’ by Alex Banayan
The path to building wealth looks different for everyone, and “The Third Door” introduces the idea that while many people follow paths that others have taken before, finding your own unique approach is essential.
For example, if you were to enter a nightclub, there are typically main two entrances: the front door and the back door. But there’s also a “third door,” where you create your own way in — whether by befriending the bouncer or talking to the manager, Chan explained.
For Chan, adopting a third-door mindset helped him find out-of-the-box solutions to challenges, from navigating large crowds to meet influential people to building wealth through his own unconventional path.
In fact, entrepreneur Tony Robbins even recommended this book, saying, “If you care about your success, you have to read ‘The Third Door.'”
‘Essentialism’ by Greg McKeown
Wasting time might be one of the biggest obstacles holding you back from achieving your financial dreams. For Chan, it wasn’t until reading “Essentialism” that he realized how much of his time was being squandered — and how the 90% rule outlined in the book changed everything for him.
McKeown’s 90% rule encourages pursuing only opportunities that score 90% or higher on your personal success criteria. With limited hours in the day, you can’t do everything, so focusing your energy where it brings the most long-term impact is key.
“For example, if you’re stuck in a corporate job with a toxic boss who micromanages everything you do … staying at the job might pay the bills, but wasting your energy, working late to try and climb the corporate ladder in that environment probably isn’t worth it,” Chan said. Instead, he said you may be better off spending that extra time doing a side hustle or looking for a new job.
‘Hell Yeah or No’ by Derek Sivers
“Hell Yeah or No” taught Chan how to cut through the noise and prioritize what really matters.
“When you first hear an opportunity and you don’t think ‘Hell yeah, I’m down!’ then it should be a firm no,” Chan said.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, saying yes too much could lead to feelings of anger and inhibit you from spending time on activities you enjoy.
For Chan, this book not only helped him set boundaries but also improved his mental health. Saying no freed up more time and energy for things that mattered, like going to the gym, reading and strengthening his closest friendships.
‘Someday Is Today’ by Matthew Dicks
Did you know the five-second rule doesn’t just apply to food on the floor? Reading “Someday Is Today” gave Chan the push he needed to stop procrastinating, all thanks to a simple, five-second psychological trick you can use to trick your brain into taking action.
“Anytime you feel like you want to act on a goal or do something, just count down from five and then do it,” Chan said. He gave the example of his alarm going off at 6:30 a.m. Sometimes, he explained, he wants to sleep in, but instead, he counts down in his head and forces himself to get up without overthinking it.
“The key is to act before your brain can talk you out of it,” he said.
‘Start With Why’ by Simon Sinek
Have you ever wondered why some people become self-made millionaires while others struggle to succeed? The answer may lie in the book “Start with Why,” which introduces the “golden circle” method to explain this phenomenon.
The golden circle consists of three concentric layers: what, how and why. For Chan, this framework was instrumental in understanding that knowing how to achieve financial freedom or what steps to take to get there is not enough. While important, these elements pale in comparison to understanding your why.
He gave the example of starting his entrepreneurship journey. In the beginning, his workload was unbearable and he wanted to quit. “But then I would flash back … to my ‘why.’ I would see my parents struggling with money and how I didn’t want them — or anyone I knew — to live like that anymore. And that’s really what kept me going,” he said.
‘The Winner Effect’ by Ian H. Robertson
Want to become addicted to success? Chan recommended Ian H. Robertson’s “The Winner Effect” as a must-read. The book explains how small victories can literally rewire your brain, creating a snowball effect in which it becomes easier to keep winning after you start, as your brain craves the feeling of success.
“You can apply this concept in your career or your business. Think about how small wins, like nailing a presentation or closing a deal, can give you that confidence to aim for bigger opportunities, like a promotion or starting a business or tackling new challenges,” Chan said. “The momentum from these smaller wins and these successes push you to keep aiming higher.”
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: 13 Books Everyone Should Read To Get Rich, According to Vincent Chan
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