Independently Wealthy: How to Build Financial Security in the New Economic Era

This book is geared to the those with a beginner to intermediate level of financial planning knowledge. It is very thorough, insightfull, and touches on many areas that other basic financial planning works lacked (Such as how lower tax rates will affect muni bond performances, UTMA's & UGMA's, finding the right financial advisor, etc). It is divided into 3 parts: The first is an overview of economics and the economic philosophies that have guided the US market since World War 2. This is very concise and simple without being simplistic.The next section is an excellent overview of the basic concepts of financial planning and investment vehicles. Finally, the third part goes into how to apply it to your personal situation and goals. It sums up 10 principles for building wealth.As I am self-employed, I have several books on financial planning to prepare for the financial future of my family. This is my favorite for the basics. Good companions that deal more with the inner psychological aspects would be "The 9 Steps To Financial Freedom" by Suze Orman, and "The Energy of Money" by Marcia Emory.