As stay-at-home moms, it’s important that we take time for ourselves and for personal development. One way to do that is by reading.
Not only is reading great for your mental health and development, but it’s also an inexpensive form of self-care.
Now, I can imagine that just the thought of making time to read can be daunting. I get it! It’s another item on your to-do list and you probably don’t have a lot of time. However, there are ways to incorporate reading into your daily schedule without it being a chore.
In this post, I’m going to share some of my favorite books to read and recommend for stay-at-home moms. I’ll also share how you can make time to read them—even as a busy mom.
So if you’re looking for a great read, here is my list of books that I recommend reading as a stay-at-home mom.
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Best Financial Books for Stay-At-Home Moms
Looking for money tips to help manage your money better? Check out these books that cover budgeting, investing, paying off debt, and more money-related tips!
1. Dump Debt & Build Bank: The Everyday Chick’s Guide to Money
If you’re looking for practical tips to get out of debt and start building wealth, this is a good book to read. Dump Debt & Build Bank: The Everyday Chick’s Guide to Money teaches you how to get out of debt quickly so that you can start building wealth. Broken down into actionable tips, it allows you to take small, actionable steps to improve your financial future.
Delving into the topics of debt reduction, money management, investing, salary negotiations, and even business, it is easy to understand and relatable. This book provides practical advice on how to dump debt and build bank—a comprehensive guide for managing money and building wealth! You’ll learn how to stop living from paycheck to paycheck and discover what it means to be financially free.
2. Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money
Investing doesn’t have to be scary and with this book, it won’t be! Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money simplifies investing so that more women can get involved. In this book, you’ll learn exactly how to build wealth for your family’s future and get real examples of how other moms have done it! This is truly an easy, practical guide to investing that I would recommend to any woman or mom.
3. The Total Money Makeover
This New York Times bestseller by Dave Ramsey offers advice on how to get out of debt and, ultimately, build wealth. Known for his baby steps and debt snowball, this easy read breaks down how to execute these simple financial strategies in your life.
The Total Money Makeover was instrumental in my being able to pay off over $78,000 of student loan debt in less than 3 years and becoming 100% debt-free. So if debt payoff is on your list of financial goals for the year, be sure to grab this book.
4. The Sassy Investor
Another great book on investing is The Sassy Investor. This book is also written specifically for women and includes information on investing in other countries—specifically Canada. So if you’re interested in learning more about investing and international markets, this is a great short book to pick up. It’s full of fun animations that simplify investing strategies even more.
5. Teach Your Kids How To Fish
Teaching your kids about personal finances is just as important as you learning yourself. Teach Your Kids How To Fish helps you do that. This book, along with its accompanying workbook, essentially helps you homeschool your children on personal finances.
This book provides a Biblical perspective on how to help your child find a purposeful career, be a savvy consumer, how to use credit effectively, and how to make giving a part of their lifestyle.
Best Non-fiction Books for Stay-At-Home Moms
We all can become better. These books are written to help you do just that! Check out these nonfiction and self-help books that I’d recommend.
6. Believe Bigger: Discover the Path to Your Life Purpose
You were created to do amazing things in life, Believe Bigger will help you get there. This encouraging book will help you get past your own self-doubt, regrets, and limiting beliefs and dive deep into finding your gifts and purpose in life.
Using the strategies given in this book, you’ll end equipped to “reinvent” yourself to live a happy life that’s full of personal fulfillment and impact.
7. You’re Made For A God-Sized Dream
We all have dreams and aspirations. Being a mom shouldn’t hold you back from reaching those dreams. In You’re Made For A God-Sized Dream, you get permission to dream big and go for it! You’ll not only be inspired but also get practical insight on how to move forward.
8. Outliers: The Story of Success
Arguably one of my favorite books, Outliers takes an inside look at the life and upbringing of the world’s most successful people.
Why is this relevant to a stay-at-home mom? Well, it provides insight into things that you can do to nurture your children to success. So if you want a page-turner that is also full of great content. It is definitely one of the best books that I’ve read over the years and certainly a must-read!
9. Eat Right For Your Blood Type
Staying healthy while running after kids can be hard. But, I found that the best thing that you can do is eat right. If you have that covered, maintaining your health can be easier.
Although I stumbled across Eat Right For Your Blood Type nearly a decade ago, it’s still a book that I reference today. In fact, it’s the book that I’ve recommended the most since it’s changed my life in such a positive way.
With the help of this book, I was able to lose over 40 pounds postpartum and truly heal my gut. It is a must-read for everyone!
10. Simplify Your Time: Stop Running and Start Living!
If you want to live a more organized and stress-free life, this book will be your guide. I discovered Simplify Your Time at a time when I didn’t even have kids, but I am able to apply the lessons today!
Within 30 days or less, you’ll learn practical time management skills that will help you streamline your day, get rid of clutter, and cut down on your to-do list. What mom wouldn’t want that?
11. The Power of Full Engagement: Managing Energy, Not Time, Is the Key to Performance and Personal Renewal
Do you struggle with being fully engaged and present with your family and friends? Does it always seem like your mind is racing and thinking about the next thing that has to get done?
The Power of Full Engagement challenges the American standard of burnout and overwhelm and challenges you to make time for rest. It challenges the notion that we need to manage our time, but instead that we must manage our energy output.
If you’re ready to really face reality and make the necessary changes for a better, more present life, then this book is the perfect read for you. You’ll learn how to step away and truly spend quality time with the people and things that matter most in life.
12. Choosing To Prosper
Choosing to Prosper is a reminder that no matter where you come from or what your family background is, you can still find success.
Written by the founder of Clever Girl Finance, Bola Sokunbi, this amazing book is a sneak peek into her life and journey to building this wildly successful brand. This book will motivate you to go after your dreams and inspire you to never give up. It’ll also offer life lessons and a wealth of advice on how to build an amazing business despite the odds.
Best Business Books for Stay-At-Home Moms
Who says that you can’t make money as a stay-at-home mom? The truth is that you can! Not only do we have tons of articles on business ideas and ways to make money, but you learn a lot from these books as well.
13. Secure The Stack: How To Make $1,000 Online Each Month
Want to know the best way to make money online for stay-at-home mothers? Then read Secure The Stack!
This ebook includes a clear strategy and different ways to monetize your skills and knowledge to be able to make money online. You’ll learn how to leverage social media to be able to earn additional income that you can put toward paying off debt, saving, or even investing.
14. Clever Girl Finance: The Side Hustle Guide: Build A Successful Side Hustle & Increase Your Income
If you want even practical ideas for making extra money, then Clever Girl Finance: The Side Hustle Guide is another great read.
This book provides practical ways to make extra money, without having to be a full-time working mom. It’s the perfect read for moms who simply want to know how to start businesses that will allow them to earn income from home.
15. 90 Days to C.E.O: A Guide To Avoid Business Pitfalls And Unlock The Secrets Of Entrepreneurship
If you’re looking for an A to Z book on business, 90 Days to C.E.O is it! It’s written by early YouTube pioneer, Rochelle Graham-Campbell. After developing many of the natural hair practices used by women of color today, she now runs her natural hair care product line that you can find in stores like Target.
Having seen her grow this business in real time, I can attest to the effectiveness of the strategies that she shared. Not only that, but she’s a mom. This is the perfect blueprint for starting a business, especially if you’d like to sell physical products.
16. Profit First
Knowing how to manage your business finances is just as important as knowing how to make money. Profit First offers a simple, easy-to-implement money management system for businesses.
This book provides a unique strategy for ensuring that your business remains profitable, no matter what. It’s the strategy that I’ve used in my business for years and would definitely recommend.
17. Stories That Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business
One of the greatest skills to have in business is storytelling. That’s exactly why I’d recommend Stories That Stick.
As expected, this captivating book unlocks strategies for telling stories that not only stick but sell. It’s one book that I recommend to all entrepreneurs, especially those online!
18. Content Inc: How Entrepreneurs Use Content to Build Massive Audiences and Create Radically Successful Businesses
If you want to know how to build an online business in the modern age, Content Inc. is your guide. This book is the blueprint for leveraging content to create sellable businesses that could earn you millions.
You’ll learn the exact strategies for building a platform (like Mama & Money) and monetizing it. I’ve used every strategy shared in this book to make over six figures online!
Best Christian Books To Read for Stay-At-Home Moms
If you’re a Christian mom, building up your faith is important. That’s why I wanted to share some of my favorite books to help you do that! Check out these Christian books that are great reads.
19. The Rules Of Engagement: The Art of Strategic Prayer and Spiritual Warfare
Life is more than what the naked eye can see. The key is knowing how to navigate both the seen and unseen worlds. In the book The Rules of Engagement, you’ll learn how to be victorious against demonic forces that seek to oppress and hinder you.
This book will equip you with the knowledge and tactics to “battle” effectively for the life that God has promised to all believers.
20. Secrets of A Prayer Warrior
Want to get better at prayer? Do you really want to understand how to get prayers answered? Secrets of A Prayer Warrior provides insights on how to be more effective at prayer in your daily life as a believer.
21. Praying Scriptures For Your Children
As a Christian, praying for your children is the most powerful and important thing that you can do as a mom. Praying Scriptures For You Children is a guide for how to pray over your children. More importantly, it provides scriptural-based prayers that you can use to pay for your little ones. It also includes encouraging stories and testimonies from other Christian moms.
Best Parenting Books To Read for Stay-At-Home Moms
Looking for books to help guide you through parenting? Although I believe each parenting journey is different, I’m including books that I’ve found to be most helpful in my own journey.
Moms On Call Parenting Books
The Moms On Call parenting books are a series of three books that walk you through the proper care for your children from birth to age 4. I have all three and have referenced them countless times to understand the growth and development of my kids. These books are written by nurses and provide very effective tips and plans to help with the care of your kids. Ultimately, the goal is to raise healthy children and these books will help with that.
22. Moms on Call: Basic Baby Care 0-6 Months
The topics covered in this book include baby sleep schedules, feeding, and more. This book is the primary reason that both my kids were able to sleep through the night early on. You will want to pick up this book if you’re a new mom!!
23. Moms on Call: Next Steps Baby Care 6-15 Months
As your child transitions from the newborn phase, you’ll face new challenges. Honestly, it can be a difficult transition if you aren’t prepared. This next book helps you prepare. It covers introducing solid foods, new sleep patterns, regression, and more! Another great guide for new moms who just need help figuring it all out.
24. Moms on Call | Toddler Book 15 Months-4 Years
As your little baby grows into a toddler, parenting can get challenging. This volume in the series addresses behavior, boundaries, potty training, and more. If you’re in this stage of parenting, then I strongly suggest grabbing it!
How To Find Time to Read as a Stay-At-Home Mom
As an avid reader, I wondered how I’d be able to fit time into my busy schedule to read. I love snuggling up to a great book, but the reality is that finding time isn’t always possible.
That’s why I recommend using audiobooks. These are great because you can listen to them on the go, while still getting the information and words of inspiration that you need. You can add audiobooks to your daily routine while still getting those household chores done!
I personally enjoy subscribing to Audible for the vast library of books that I can choose from monthly. (You can snag a FREE TRIAL of Audible here.)
However, if you want to be budget-friendly, you can also use the Hoopla app which allows you to check out audiobooks through your local library. Though it’s great because it’s free, your library must participate and the catalog is limited.
Which book will you read?
So, which book will you read? Hopefully, you found some books that resonate with your interests and needs right now. Remember that this is just a start and only some of my favorite books to recommend.
There are tons more that I’ll continue to add as I read more. What are some best books to read for stay-at-home moms that you’d recommend?
As Certified Financial Education Instructor (CFEI), she has been teaching personal finances to women & youth for over a decade.
Fo is an established writer and expert contributor on the topics of personal finance, budgeting, debt payoff, money mindset, saving, entrepreneurship, investing, motherhood, personal development, and more.