How I Travel More, Worry Less, and Manage My Money: The Book List That Made It Possible
I used to scroll through solo travel photos online, convinced everyone else had a secret map to the world… except me. Too broke, too scared, and with zero clue where to start. I thought maybe you needed to win the lottery or have some kind of “travel fairy godmother” to make it happen. Spoiler: I didn’t.
In this blog post, you’ll find books to inspire travel, boost your confidence, and master your finances so solo adventures become possible.
I know how overwhelming it can feel when travel seems out of reach, but the right guidance can make all the difference. What actually changed everything for me? A handful of solo travel books, and self-development guides. The kind of books that taught me how to save smartly (finance books for travelers), get my confidence up, and take that terrifying first solo step out the door. They gave me the tools, the mindset, and yes… even a little kick in the butt I needed.
It’s the mix of travel inspiration, self-development hacks, and finance tips that made my adventures possible. How did I go from dreaming to actually doing it? It came down to three types of books. It’s your cheat sheet for going from “oh, I wish I could” to “Damn, I just did that!” So get cozy and find the books that inspire confidence, financial freedom, and solo travel adventures.
1. Start with the Dream (Travel & Adventure Inspiration)
These are the books that first started it all for me. The ones that opened my mind to what’s possible and filled my head with new places and a whole lot of courage.
- 📍 “The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small” by Kath Stathers
- 👩🦰 Quote: “Adventure is not a destination, but a way of seeing the world.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Adventure is completely scalable. You can start with a small local hike and work up to Everest or discover a hidden festival in your own city. This book made global exploration feel genuinely accessible.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: You don’t need a year off or a massive budget to begin. A lifetime of adventure starts with that first small, curious “yes.”
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert
- 👩🦰 Quote: “To travel is worth any cost or sacrifice”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Travel can be about a passionate search for a different, more aligned way of living… not just checking sights off a list.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: The courage to go is just as important as the destination. It’s completely okay to put transformative experiences first.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”What I Was Doing While You Were Breeding” by Kristin Newman
- 👩🦰Quote: “Traveling solo doesn’t mean you’re alone, it means you’re free”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Adventure doesn’t have to be a wild break from “real life.” It can actually be the life you deliberately choose to build.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: You can design a life that intentionally includes wanderlust, using travel as a creative tool, not an escape.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”Women Travel Solo” by Lonely Planet
- 👩🦰 Quote: “There is no right way to travel solo, there is only your way.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Solo travel isn’t one-size-fits-all. Reading diverse perspectives shattered the stereotype of the “typical” solo traveler.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Real confidence comes from seeing the myriad ways women explore the world on their own terms.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”The Travel Book: A Journey Through Every Country” by Lonely Planet
- 👩🦰 Quote: “The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Flipping through these pages made me realize how small my mental map was compared to our planet’s breathtaking diversity.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: This is the ultimate visual catalyst, turning an abstract “I want to travel” into a specific “I must see that!”
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”A Woman Alone: Travel Tales from Around the Globe” by Faith Conlon
- 👩🦰 Quote: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and often, a leap of faith.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: The challenges and triumphs of women traveling alone have a rich history. These stories connected me to a legacy of fearless explorers.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: You are never the first woman to feel this mix of fear and exhilaration abroad. There is profound strength in that tradition.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”The Catch Me If You Can” by Jessica Nabongo
- 🗣️ Quote: “The world is waiting for you.”
- 👩🦰 My “Aha!” Moment: Representation is powerful. Seeing a Black woman visit every country reshaped my subconscious ideas about who gets to be a “global citizen.”
- 🌍 My Takeaway: This journey is fundamentally about human connection, not just geography. It’s a masterclass in choosing curiosity over fear.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 “Expedition 196” by Cassandra De Pecol
- 👩🦰 Quote: “People, not places, are the true destination.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: The finish line (visiting every country) is less important than the marathon of stories, friendships, and lessons collected along the way.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: The best travel is about staying radically open and letting strangers become friends.
- Check the book on Amazon
2. Build the Foundation (Confidence & Personal Development)
- 📍 “Atomic Habits” by James Clear
- 👩🦰 Quote: “You do not rise to the level of your goals.You fall to the level of your systems.
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: I don’t need massive willpower to save for a trip.I need a small, automatic system. The 1% better rule makes the impossible, inevitable.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Apply “habit stacking” to your travel goals. Automate savings and pair planning with daily routines. Consistency beats intensity every time.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍”How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
- 👩🦰Quote: “The pretense of knowledge is our most dangerous vice.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Ego stops you from asking for help and gets offended by cultural misunderstandings. Travel forces ego into the back seat.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: To be a better traveler, stay a humble, curious beginner—never a know-it-all tourist.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍”101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think” by Brianna Wiest
- 👩🦰 Quote: “The most important conversation you’ll ever have is the one you have with yourself.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: My own limiting thoughts were the biggest barrier. This book taught me to reframe “I can’t” into “How can I?”
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Travel is an external journey, but the real transformation happens when you shift your internal dialogue.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”The Let Them Theory” by Mel Robbins
- 👩🦰 Quote: “What other people think of you is none of your business.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: I wasted energy worrying about naysayers. The mantra “Let them think it’s irresponsible” was a total mental reset.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Stop letting others’ opinions rent space in your head. Redirect that energy into planning your next adventure.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”Boundary Boss” by Terri Cole
- 👩🦰 Quote: “No is a complete sentence.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Saying “no” to pushy guides or unwanted invites is a critical travel skill, not a rudeness.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Clear boundaries aren’t restrictive—they create the space for respectful, safe, and genuinely fun experiences.
- Check the book on Amazon
📍 “From Anxious to Adventurous: Your 90-Day Solo Travel Workbook” by Feven/me 😉
👩🦰 Quote: “Confidence isn’t the absence of fear. It’s the decision that your curiosity is louder.”
💡 A Reader’s “Aha!” Moment: “I realized I didn’t need to feel ‘ready’ first. The daily prompts in this workbook became my small, brave steps. By breaking everything down, the goal of solo travel felt easier.”
🌍 A Reader’s Takeaway: “It’s an active guide to becoming a solo traveler. It builds your confidence, so you don’t have to deal with the anxiety alone. The journey begins on page one.”Check the book on Payhip
Enable the Reality (Finances & Travel Budgeting)
These finance books gave me the systems to afford it all, turning travel from something stressful into something I could actually enjoy.
- 📍 ”The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel
- 👩🦰 Quote: “Doing well with money has little to do with how smart you are and a lot to do with how you behave.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Money is more about behavior and psychology than math. This reframed saving for travel as investing in freedom.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: The ultimate financial payoff? Gaining control of your time. For me, that’s the freedom to travel.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 “I Will Teach You to Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi
- 👩🦰 Quote: “Spend extravagantly on the things you love, and cut costs mercilessly on the things you don’t.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Conscious spending isn’t about deprivation. I stopped feeling guilty about traveling by cutting what I didn’t value (like expensive cable).
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Automate your travel fund first. It grows before you can spend it elsewhere—that’s the secret to traveling consistently.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”Rich Dad Poor Dad” by Robert Kiyosaki
- 👩🦰 Quote: “The single most powerful asset we all have is our mind.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: I shifted from “I work for money” to “How can my money work for me?” This opened up ideas for funding travel beyond just my salary.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Use your travel dreams as motivation to learn about assets and cash flow. Finance becomes a tool for freedom, not a chore.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”Girls Just Wanna Have Funds” by Emma Due Bitz, Camilla Falkenberg and Anna-Sophie Hartvigsen
- 👩🦰 Quote: “Financial independence is the greatest freedom of all.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Controlling your cash means controlling your choices. For solo female travelers, this is non-negotiable empowerment.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: A solid financial plan isn’t a restriction—it’s the runway that lets your adventures safely take off.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”The Millionaire Fastlane” by MJ DeMarco
- 👩🦰 Quote: “The fastest way to get rich is to solve problems. The bigger the problem, the bigger the payoff.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Trading time for money severely limits travel freedom. Building systems that earn while you sleep changes everything.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Focus on creating value and solving problems, not just cutting costs. Build income streams that actively fund your lifestyle.
- Check the book on Amazon
- 📍 ”Girls That Invest” by Simran Kaur
- 👩🦰 Quote: “Investing is not just for the wealthy; it’s for anyone who wants to write their own story.”
- 💡 My “Aha!” Moment: Investing is a tool everyday women can use to fund life experiences. It demystified the stock market as a travel-funding engine.
- 🌍 My Takeaway: Start small, think long-term. A diversified portfolio quietly builds the wealth that funds future trips.
- Check the book on Amazon
What I Wish I Knew Before Solo Traveling + Saving for It
You don’t need to “feel ready”, you need to start: I kept waiting for confidence to magically show up. Turns out, confidence is built after you take the first awkward step… not before.
Small financial habits matter more than giant sacrifices: No one told me that saving €5–10 a day adds up faster than cutting everything fun out of your life. Tiny systems beat dramatic overhauls every time.
You don’t need a long trip to begin: I wish I had known that weekend trips “count.” A two-day getaway builds the same skills as a one-month adventure.
5Money doesn’t buy travel, clarity does: It wasn’t earning more that changed things. It was knowing where my money should go and setting up automatic systems.
The best travel tools are books… not flight deals: I thought if I found the perfect hack or promo, it would all click. Actually, it was the books… the mindset, confidence, and finance guides that did the heavy lifting.
Mini FAQ: Solo Travel, Confidence & Money (The Book Edition)
Do I need a lot of money to start traveling solo?
No. You need a budget you understand, small consistent savings habits, and realistic expectations. Even €20–40 (about $22–45) saved weekly builds a powerful travel fund over time.
Which book should I start with if I feel scared to travel alone?
Start with “Women Travel Solo” or “101 Essays That Will Change The Way You Think.” Both help with mental blocks that stop most first-timers.
What book is best if I want to improve my finances first?
“I Will Teach You to Be Rich” is the most practical for beginners. If you want long-term empowerment, pair it with “The Psychology of Money.”
Are these books beginner-friendly?
Absolutely. You don’t need expertise or past solo travel experience. They’re for beginners.
Can books really make solo travel easier?
Yes. They help you build confidence, reduce fear, and create financial clarity. The three biggest barriers for solo female travelers.
How fast can I save enough for my first trip?
It depends on your destination and habits. But most readers who apply the finance systems from these books see results within weeks, not months.
Is solo travel safe for women?
Solo travel becomes safer with good planning, awareness, and boundaries. Books like “Boundary Boss” and “Women Travel Solo” offer mindset and safety tools you can actually use on the road.
What if I don’t know where to go first?
That’s what the travel inspiration books are for. You’ll find inspiration in “The Travel Book” or “The Bucket List.”
Do I need confidence before I go?
No, you build confidence by going. Books simply help you get there faster and with less anxiety.
Can reading really change how I travel?
100%. Books shape your mindset, help you make smarter choices, and give you practical tools. They’re the foundation of becoming a confident, money-smart solo traveler.
Final Thoughts – Last Stop Before Takeoff!
Ready to build your own adventure-funding reading list? This blend of travel inspiration, self-development, and practical finance books is your blueprint for confidence, smart money moves, and unforgettable experiences.
Your first step is simple: Pick one book from the category where you feel the biggest gap (Dream, Build, or Enable) and start there.
So what are you waiting for? Grab that first book, start turning the pages, and take that first step toward your next solo adventure.
I’d love to hear from you!
Which book on this list are you most excited to read? Or, which one has already inspired your travels? Drop your favorites in the comments below!
Found this helpful? Share it with a friend who’s dreaming of their next big adventure! 💌
Adventure on, I’ll see you on the road!
Be part of Travel Bueno & Beyond!
Be part of a community for fearless solo travelers.
Get pro travel tips, inspiring stories, and funny lessons from my own adventures, delivered straight to your inbox.
Join us and let’s turn travel dreams into reality!
Tired of “what ifs”?
Get From Anxious to Adventurous and turn fears into fearless solo travel in 90 days with 120 interactive pages full of journaling prompts, mindset challenges, safety tips, and real-life strategies to build unshakable confidence.
This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase through it, I might earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, basically, enough to buy a new book and learn new things.