The Simple Path to Wealth
Score Modern
What it's about
JL Collins began writing to his daughter about money, and those letters became this book. Drawing on fifty years of investing, he lays out a simple plan: avoid debt, spend less than you earn, and invest the rest in low-cost index funds, so that money serves your freedom rather than the other way around.
Why it's worth reading
It has become a foundational book of the Financial Independence movement and has spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. Readers say it's the clearest, most reassuring guide to investing they've found.
You'll love it if you liked
Atomic Habits, The Psychology of Money or Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It
Good to know
It's practical and plainspoken, written for people who don't want to think much about money. Its advice is aimed at American investors.
Quick answers
Is The Simple Path to Wealth worth reading?
Yes. It has become a foundational book of the Financial Independence movement and has spent 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists. It ranks #225 of the 2,819 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 83.0 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Simple Path to Wealth about?
JL Collins began writing to his daughter about money, and those letters became this book. Drawing on fifty years of investing, he lays out a simple plan: avoid debt, spend less than you earn, and invest the rest in low-cost index funds, so that money serves your freedom rather than the other way around.
How long does it take to read The Simple Path to Wealth?
About 7 hours (291 pages), or about 2 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What should I read after The Simple Path to Wealth?
If you liked it, try Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel or Never Split the Difference: Negotiating as If Your Life Depended on It by Chris Voss with Tahl Raz.
By the numbers
- Readers95 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics0 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Bestseller54 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Buzz57 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2025.
Where it ranks
- #11 of the 85 self-help and business books we rank
- #111 of the 1,575 modern books we rank
- #225 of the 2,819 books we rank
Bestseller
- 33 weeks on the New York Times bestseller lists since 2025
Reads as
Practical
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