1. The Art of Spending Money by Morgan Housel
Why you should read this book: Creators and influencers deal with one of the trickiest financial setups out there: inconsistent income, constant reinvesting in gear or tools, and the pressure to “keep up” with trends. It’s easy to spend reactively instead of intentionally, and that’s where this book steps in.
Morgan Housel digs into the psychology behind how and why we spend money. Instead of budgeting hacks or spreadsheets, this book helps you understand your relationship with money more deeply. I loved his overall approach, and I think it was one of the healthiest perspectives on personal finance.
You’ll learn how to:
- Make spending decisions rooted in your values, not stress
- Avoid lifestyle creep (yes, even when brand deals are rolling in)
- Align your money habits with the business you’re trying to build
- Understand why “smart” financial choices look different for everyone
My biggest takeaway? Good money decisions are specific to each person and our unique goals.
Get The Art of Spending Money here.
2. Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell
Why you should read this book: Creators are notorious for doing everything solo: filming, editing, pitching, invoicing, negotiating, scheduling, posting, analyzing, and then we wonder why we’re exhausted.
This book was a total game-changer for me in helping me understand how I should think about hiring. Dan Martell breaks down how to identify the tasks that truly move the needle… and how to outsource the ones that don’t. I’ll admit that he’s a little extreme, and there were a few times I found myself rolling my eyes, but the overall concept was helpful. (I won’t be hiring someone to restock the gum in my car but hey, to each their own.)
You’ll learn how to:
- Stop trading all your time for (not enough) money
- Delegate tasks without losing your creative voice
- Build a business that fits your life, instead of swallowing it
This book helped me pinpoint exactly where I was burning hours on tasks that didn’t need to be mine anymore. It encouraged me to hire out a few more things, and it’s made a huge difference in my work-life balance.
Get Buy Back Your Time here.
3. Extremely Online by Taylor Lorenz
Why you should read this book: If you want to understand the world you’re building a business in, this book is essential. “Extremely Online” tracks the evolution of influencers, social platforms, virality, and digital culture, and basically, everything that shapes the creator economy today.
It feels like a behind-the-scenes commentary for the entire internet. (Or at least, the corner of the internet where I spend my time!)
You’ll learn:
- Why content trends shift the way they do
- How platforms rise, fall, and reinvent themselves
- What creators succeed long-term and why
- How to navigate the constantly changing digital landscape
This book helps you see the bigger picture of the world we work in, and that perspective can make you a smarter, more strategic creator.
Get Extremely Online here.
