I learned a lot about personal finance from reading books.

However, not all books are written equal. Some interest me more than others, while others are too dry or do not align with my views or values. In the past decade of reading, I have had a few books I did not finish because they did not fit well with me.

I'm not saying they are bad books; they just don't align with my sentiments or general principles.

Here are three of the most popular:

1. The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris

The Four-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferris is probably the most popular book on personal finance that I did not finish.

While reading, I noticed that the goal of the book is to eventually remove yourself from working as much as possible through automation and delegation. As a believer in the dignity of labor, I don't just look at work as a means to earn money but to provide value through service to others.

Despite my goal of running away from the rat race, I don't want to stop working.

2. I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi

I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi is another personal finance classic I have yet to finish.

Even though the book makes good points, I found that many of the things he teaches, particularly in investing, are written for the American audience, which doesn't apply to us. Instead, I prefer to find Filipino authors writing about the subject or looking for applicable alternatives.

For instance, I like Randell Tiongson's and Chinkee Tan's books on personal finance because they know what applies in the Pinoy context.

3. The Intelligent Investor by Benjamin Graham

Benjamin Graham's The Intelligent Investor is a cult classic in investing, especially since Warren Buffet said it was his gateway to investing.

As much as I want to read this book, I can't seem to finish it. I'm not sure if it's too bland or if I just don't agree with the concepts, especially if I try to contextualize them in the Philippine setting.

I remember Morgan Housel saying that Graham regularly updates the book to match the current market status, which is true from its first edition in 1949 until the last major update in 1973 (4th edition) before he died in 1976.

Can you imagine how the book would have changed after the 2000, 2008, and 2020 economic crises if Graham was alive? However, I learned some useful principles from it.