As the saying goes, one should never regret money spent on books or fresh flowers. Well, flowers wilt, but books last forever. That’s why they make great gifts this holiday season. And, with the world waking up to how woefully uneducated people are when it comes to money, what better for your loved ones than the gift of financial literacy?

At Talking Leaves bookstore on Elmwood Avenue, the sale of personal finance books spiked soon after the economy nosedived. And the store’s customers have been consistently interested in guides to simpler, more sustainable living.

“I think that [simplicity] movement probably just dovetailed nicely with the timing of the economic downturn,” said Alicia Michielli, the store’s assistant manager.

Of course, different people at different stages in their lives want different information and in different ways. We’ve compiled some of the best consumer, finance and frugality book suggestions for everyone on your shopping list. The prices shown are the retail cover prices from the publisher.

For: Mom, the pennypincher who knows everything.

10,001 Ways to Live Large on a Small Budget, by the writers of Wise-bread; Skyhorse, 352 pages ($14.95)

Written by contributors to the fantastic personal finance blog Wisebread.com, this book can teach even the most seasoned cheapskate a trick or two.

The challenge with frugal living is that the lessons don’t change much, and new tips are hard to come by. But the folks at Wisebread do find new ways to save, plan and protect yourself as a consumer.

And rather than encouraging miserly saving at all costs—the best inexpensive wines?—it teaches how to live a pleasant lifestyle for much, much less.

For: The grown son who knows nothing and can’t sit still long enough to learn.

Personal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson; Wiley, 480 pages ($21.99).

The “For Dummies” books are known for a format that gives you the facts and relays information quickly and easily—perfect for someone who will never wade through an economic treatise. Let’s face it, most people aren’t ignorant about finance because they find it interesting.

What’s great about this book is that it covers the most basic budgeting fundamentals but also branches out into important lessons about investing, insurance and more advanced financial planning. The chapters are nicely self-contained, so readers can skip from one subject to another.

For: The sister whose boyfriend will propose on New Year’s Eve.

Your Money and Your Man: How You and Prince Charming Can Spend Well and Live Rich by Michelle Singletary; Random House, 304 pages ($14.95).

You know Singletary from her “Color of Money” column that runs in this paper. This book addresses the critical issues of money and relationships in a way only Singletary can: with compassion, humor and no-nonsense authority.

You may have heard that money is the No. 1 cause of fights and divorce among couples. This book helps navigate the root issues of that conflict during every stage of a relationship—dating, marriage, child-rearing and well into retirement.

Straightforward and uplifting yet never preachy, the book outlines practical steps couples can take to money-proof their relationships, then motivates them to put those steps to work. Perfect for the sister who has a habit of not wising up until it’s too late.

For: The grandpa who likes to say “That’s how they get ya!”

1,001 Things They Won’t Tell You:An Insider’s Guide to Spending, Saving, and Living Wisely by Jonathan Dahl and the editors of SmartMoney; Workman, 544 pages ($16.95).

This savory tome will be devoured by anyone who revels in getting the inside tip from those in the know.

Collected from the “10 Things They Won’t Tell You” column in SmartMoney, the Wall Street Journal magazine, Dahl gets the scoop from people working inside industries and professions you encounter every day so you can make better consumer decisions.

For example, your cable company probably will never tell you, “Bundling your services can end up costing you more,” but wouldn’t you like to have that information? Likewise, an antiques dealer probably won’t say, “Even I’ve been duped by fakes, so you should demand a guarantee,” but wouldn’t you like to know?

Each mini-chapter ends with a block of “Things to Do,” so instead of merely complaining about the crooks, granddad will have a strategy for outsmarting them.

For: The younger sibling who needs to get it together.

Your Money or Your Life by Joseph Dominguez and Vicki Robin; Viking, 350 pages ($15).

There are nine steps in this book, the first of which serves as a swift kick in the pants to that special someone in need of a financial wake-up call. It includes tallying up all the money you’ve ever earned and making a list of what you have to show for it. It’s followed by a plan to illustrate just how much of your “life’s energy” goes into earning it and whether the way you earn, spend, save and invest it adds or detracts from your happiness and well-being.

Countless readers credit this book with shaking them out of financial ignorance and motivating them to get a handle on their money in a way that drastically improved their quality of life.

For: The recent college grad.

Money Book for the Young, Fabulous&Broke by Suze Orman; Riverhead, 395 pages ($16).

If you know a young adult trying to slog his or her way through the world amid student loan debt and entry-level pay, this book will serve them well. Easy-to-understand explanations of important terms and concepts, such as piggyback loans and the importance of a good FICO score, make for a great crash course and empower young people whose lack of knowledge actually endangers them. A step-by- step action plan helps the reader hit the ground running, ensuring they make important financial moves (such as creating a living revocable trust) even if they’re only on the way to understanding why.

Designed with the short-attention- span generation in mind, the book’s graphics are splashy, while breakout quotes and helpful charts abound.

The book gives access to a slew of interactive tools that will come in handy on their journey toward the most important goals at this time in their lives, such as paying off debt and saving for a home.

For: Your best friend, who called you in tears because she can’t find a Zhu Zhu Pet anywhere.

Living Simply With Children: A Voluntary Simplicity Guide for Moms, Dads and Kids Who Want to Reclaim the Bliss of Childhood and the Joy of Parenting by Marie Sherlock; Crown, 304 pages ($13.95).

This is an important one in an era when children’s happiness seems hopelessly entangled with material consumption. It tackles the whys and hows of getting back to basics with your kids and setting them up for a life of abundance and joy.

While the book’s premise relies on a philosophical interpretation of morals and values, don’t think for a second that this life-changing paperback is “out there.” It’s full of stick-to-your-ribs information, step-by-step how to’s and helpful guidelines for setting parameters according to the ages of your children.