Foundational Influences

The ideas behind the practice.

A living list of the books, podcasts, and YouTube channels that have most shaped how I think about money, behavior, and the life it's meant to fund.

Read

Books

Your Money or Your Life
Vicki Robin & Joe Dominguez
Reframes money as life energy — the original behavioral money classic.
The Psychology of Money
Morgan Housel
Short essays on why behavior, not spreadsheets, drives financial outcomes.
Die With Zero
Bill Perkins
Challenges the default of endless accumulation in favor of intentional spending.
Atomic Habits
James Clear
The mechanics of behavior change that underpin every coaching engagement.
I Will Teach You to Be Rich
Ramit Sethi
A no-guilt, system-driven approach to building a rich life on your own terms.
The Simple Path to Wealth
JL Collins
A clear, durable framework for long-term investing and financial independence.
Influence
Robert Cialdini
The foundational text on the psychology of persuasion and the cues that shape our decisions.
Pre-Suasion
Robert Cialdini
How the moments before a message — framing, attention, context — quietly determine the outcome.
The 4-Hour Workweek
Timothy Ferriss
Lifestyle design, outsourcing, and questioning the default of the 40-year career.
How to Win Friends and Influence People
Dale Carnegie
The timeless classic on human connection, communication, and winning people over.
The Bogleheads' Guide to Retirement Planning
Taylor Larimore, Mel Lindauer & Richard A. Ferri
Practical, low-cost retirement planning wisdom from the Bogleheads community.

Listen

ChooseFI
A community-driven exploration of financial independence in everyday life.
The Mad Fientist
Deep dives on tax optimization and the mechanics of early retirement.
All the Hacks
Chris Hutchins
Tactical conversations on optimizing money, travel, and life.

Mr. Money Mustache
The cult-classic FI blog on frugality, freedom, and rethinking consumption.
Go Curry Cracker
Early retirement, tax-free living, and a family traveling the world.
Of Dollars and Data
Nick Maggiulli
Data-driven essays on investing behavior and building wealth over time.
The Points Guy
The mainstream starting point for credit card rewards and travel hacking.
Frequent Miler
Deep, methodical analysis of points, miles, and award strategies.
One Mile at a Time
Ben Schlappig
Daily coverage of airlines, loyalty programs, and premium travel.

Watch

Two Cents
PBS-produced shorts that translate behavioral money concepts for anyone.
The Money Guy Show
Practical, principles-first financial planning conversations.
Rob Berger
Calm, methodical breakdowns of investing and retirement strategy.
Our Rich Journey
A real-life look at FIRE, intentional living, and mini-retirements.
Ask Sebby
Granular, no-nonsense breakdowns of credit card offers and travel rewards strategy.
Credit Shifu
Approachable deep dives on credit cards, credit scores, and points optimization.
Brian Jung
High-energy credit card reviews and personal finance for a younger audience.
Chase Yokoyama
Travel hacking walkthroughs, award bookings, and premium card strategy.
Mark Reese
Methodical points-and-miles content with an emphasis on real award redemptions.
Daniel Braun
Credit card strategy and travel rewards explained with clear math.