Expert's guide to the books that will make your family richer and wiser
Financial expert Noel Whittaker reveals four Christmas book picks that could transform recipients' wealth and wellbeing, including his new guide to superannuation secrets.
Christmas is fast approaching, and with it the challenge of choosing the right gifts. Books are an ideal solution — they’re inexpensive, can be personalised, and, when chosen well, can benefit the recipient for a lifetime.
Understanding superannuation can add hundreds of thousands of dollars to a person’s financial position. I’m proud to announce that my new book, Super Made Simple, has just come off the printing presses. I’m continually bombarded with emails asking for clarification or help, and one of the most misunderstood topics is how super can be used to reduce a capital-gains tax bill. There’s big money at stake — get it right and you can save a fortune, but get just one element wrong and you could lose more than $150,000 in tax deductions. The book explains this in detail, along with chapters on how to increase your super by 40 per cent with very little effort, and a simple strategy that allows a 40-year-old to retire with more than a million dollars in super. The normal retail price is $29.95, but as an introductory special, we’ve slashed the price to $24.95 including postage. It’s available from my website www.noelwhittaker.com.au.
Growing Young is one of the most uplifting books I’ve read about health and longevity. Marta Zaraska, a science journalist, turns much of what we think about ageing on its head. Instead of focusing on diets, supplements, or gym routines, she shows — with solid research — that the real keys to a long, happy life are kindness, friendship, volunteering, and purpose. Her message is simple: it’s not kale or kettlebells that keep you young, it’s connection. I’m recommending this book because it reinforces something I’ve always believed — that emotional wellbeing and social ties are as important as financial security when planning for a fulfilling life. It’s beautifully written and full of practical insights. I particularly like the way she explains how interacting with another human being can change the chemicals in your body. Amazon’s price is $29.
My Retirement Made Simple is perfect for the over 50’s. In the next decade, millions will head into retirement, and almost half of them won’t realise how a few well-timed decisions could turn those years into one of life’s great chapters. Just last week, a journalist contacted me for comment on an article he was writing called the “Retirement Delirium.” That speaks volumes.
Retirement is often touted as a worry-free time – but right now it’s not. People are living longer, government budgets are stretched, financial markets are volatile, and the direction of interest rates in uncertain. On top of that, there are the challenges of understanding investor psychology – including your own – and avoiding scams. A major facet of a fulfilling retirement is preparation: the sooner you start to plan, the better your retirement is likely to be. Yet so many people facing retirement don’t know what they don’t know. Retirement Made Simple is a gift that can pay great dividends. Savvy shoppers can buy the book bundled with Wills, Death & Taxes Made Simple for just $49.99 from my website.
Sheehan Quirke’s The Cultural Tutor: 49 Lessons You Wish You’d Learned at School is a delightful journey through art, history, and philosophy. Quirke made his name with his Twitter essays, but this book goes far beyond them. He reveals how beauty and wisdom echo across the centuries, and why they still matter in an age dominated by noise and distraction. Reading The Cultural Tutor feels like wandering through a great museum with a gifted guide who makes every exhibit shine. It’s thoughtful, elegant, and a welcome antidote to today’s shallow media. Anyone who enjoys history, art, or simply discovering new ideas will treasure it. It’s a handsome hardcover of 440 pages and exceptional value at $34 on Amazon.
More Coverage
Originally published as Expert's guide to the books that will make your family richer and wiser
