
The Simple Path to Wealth
by J. L. Collins · first published 2000
50mentions
30recommended by
34HN commenters
2016–2025first – last mentioned
88% recommend9% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Approachable, non-dry introduction to personal finance and financial independence, built on putting savings into low-cost broad index funds. Suits readers with little finance background wanting a simple plan.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
The author shares his personal techniques, insights and experiences regarding saving money and investing, drawn from his blog posts as well as a series of letters to his teenage daughter, both dealing with money management.
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…during college (I dropped out) but in 2020 I did the audio version of "How To Win Friends and Influence People" which had a profound impact on how I handled day to day conversations. A few others: The Simple Path to Wealth - JL Collins (changed my entire investment strategy) Breath - James Nestor (something so routine but there is so much to learn) A Short History of Everything - Bill Bryson (silly, but its a pretty large…
on “Ask HN: Are there any books that changed your life during college or school?” ↗The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins
on “Ask HN: Best books you read in 2017?” ↗Might be a bit US centric, but my recommendation is: 1. Read the reddit personal finance wiki https://www.reddit.com/r/personalfinance/wiki/index/ 2. Read The Simple Path to Wealth by J L Collins 3. Read The Bogleheads' Guide to Investing 4. Read the Bogleheads' wiki https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Main_Page 5. Use a personal finance app to track budget and spending (I use Simplifi).…
on “Ask HN: How to save/invest/deal with money?” ↗Understanding the Bogleheads philosophy is a great place to start. Along those lines, the book “The Simple Path to Wealth”, by J. L. Collins is great for developing an initial mindset on how your money can work for you.
on “Ask HN: Good resources to become financially literate” ↗I found "The Simple Path to Wealth" by JL Collins to be very approachable, and is more focused on overall Financial Literacy instead of just investment advice. It's definitely my first recommendation for people who have very little finance…
on “Financial literacy is a passport to financial freedom” ↗The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
on “Ask HN: Simple books and resources would you suggest on investing money?” ↗The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
on “Ask HN: Best Book for Personal Finance and Investment” ↗Read "Simple Path to Wealth" by J L Collins. Set it and forget it.
on “Ask HN: How do you invest your money?” ↗Read "Simple Path to Wealth" by J L Collins. Set it and forget it.
on “Ask HN: How can I use money to make money?” ↗https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Three-fund_portfolio If you prefer a book The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins is pretty good.
on “Ask HN: Your experience with realty investment startups like RealtyShares?” ↗A book that might help make the big ideas more accessible to the layman is The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins. https://www.amazon.com/Simple-Path-Wealth-financial-independ... One beef I have with the finance industry is that very few people, especially professionals, will give you the above info…
on “Companies controlled by PE firms use bankruptcy to shed pension obligations” ↗Here are a few starting points. - https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Getting_started_for_non-US_i... - (book) The Simple Path to Wealth by J. L. Collins - (Podcast) ChooseFI
on “Becoming a high performing software developer working from your bedroom” ↗In 2019, I read an online book by J L Collins named The Simple Path to Wealth that changed my life. In this post, I summarise J L Collins's simple approach to financial independence and rich, free life that is not only easy to understand and implement, but it is also more powerful…
on “Road map to financial independence and a rich, free life” ↗In 2019, I read an online book by J L Collins named The Simple Path to Wealth that changed my life. In this post, I summarise J L Collins's simple approach to financial independence and rich, free life that is not only easy to understand and implement, but it is also more powerful…
on “Road map to financial independence and a rich, free life” ↗I read 136% of what I'd set out to (34, was set out to read 25). Here are the best ones: - Unsavory Truth by Marion Nestle - The Sovereign Individual by James Dale Davidson - The Simple Path to Wealth by J.L. Collins - The New Confessions of an Economic Hitman by John Perkins
on “Ask HN: What book changed your life in 2020?” ↗