Book Description

Trading Day by Day is overflowing with the fundamental truths and reliable trading rules every trader needs to be competitive in any market, at any time. The three natural laws of trading, an intelligent approach and method, a sound mathematical system, the spike rule, the mistake rule, divergences, relative strength, the truth about options, businesslike money management, over a hundred "real time," day-by-day chart examples, and much more.

While specifically about futures trading, its approach and method are equally applicable to forex, stocks and any other market. ... Read more

Book Description

From first-time newlyweds to people on their second or third marriage, couples face an overwhelming task when it comes to money management.Nationally renowned financial advisor and bestselling author David Bach knows that it doesn’t have to be this way.In Smart Couples Finish Rich, he provides couples with easy-to-use tools that cover everything from credit card management, to investment advice, to long-term care.You and your partner will learn how to work together as a team to identify your core values and dreams, creating a financial plan that will allow you to achieve security, provide for your family’s future financial needs, and increase your income.Together, you’ll learn why couples that plan their finances together, stay together!
... Read more

Reviews (35)

STRONG, SOUND ADVICE!
Investing for your future is sound, strong advice at any age. As a teacher of business management and having counselled an overwhelming number of people in the area of finance, I believe investing is particularly critical for young people today. I am so happy to read that previous reviewers, in their twenties, have learned from this book and are planning for their future. If you are starting your career and in your twenties, now is the time for financial planning, even though you might not be able to put a lot of money aside, "every penny saved, is a penny earned."

There are many books on the market today on investing and financial planning. Some I would highly recommend, others are not worth the time it takes to read the book - save the money you would spend on those "guaranteed get rich quick books" and invest the money where it will guarantee a return. "Smart Couples Finish Rich" is filled with a wealth of information on money management, retirement accounts, living trusts, types of insurance and investing in general. After reading it, you will be better equiped to manage your money and save for the future. That not only makes "smart cents," it makes smart sense. Hopefully, with some financial peace of mind and stability, couples will not only finish rich, they will finish rich... together!

Great advice, very helpful.
There's a lot of financial advice books on the market, but I really think this one is the best. The best for couples anyway.

One of the key concepts of the book is for both you & your spouse to read the book, get you to start discussing your values, finances, and future, as a couple so you're on the same page. Not being on the same page as a couple is probably one of the biggest reason for couples splitting up. My husband is not into self-help books, but this was one book that he did read. It has many helpful exercises, as a couple, to get you to realize some of the why's of your finances & to get you to plan better for your future. For example, it makes you start planning goals. Funny, many businesses have goals, but how many couples have established goals for their futures? And I'm sure most people would agree that their relationship with their spouse is more important than their work.

Before I read this, I read Suze Orman's Financial Guidebook, which was also a great book. But I feel I got greater value out of Smart Couples Finish Rich.

After reading this, I've actually started tracking all of my finances & have a much better understanding of how I'm doing financially & what I need to do to meet my newly established goals.

This book is a must for any couple to help plan for their futures.

excellent resource
_____This book is great to have if you are a novice to the world of personal finance. The text is geared toward married couples, but that doesn't mean a single person cannot read it and learn a lot from it (i.e. the advice generally applies to either singles or couples, with some extra information for couples).

_____The information contained is truly minimal when you compare it to many other books on the shelves. But for a novice I think that is good - Bach himself stresses that the information is meant to present to the reader the aspects of personal finance, while providing links to sources for more detailed information.

_____While I agree that pretty much all of the information contained can be found for free on the internet, the value of this book is in the fact that it contains brief synopses of that information, all gathered into one place, with the added bonus of providing a purpose for all the different aspects of personal finance. Not just "what" and "where," but also "how" and "why."

good, but conservative, advice
This is an excellent book to use when planning your family's finances. Obviously, given the power of compounding, to which the author repeatedly refers, the earlier in your life you start planning for your financial future, the better off you will be. I recommend the book to anyone with the understanding that it follows a conservative, fairly conventional path toward financial security.

If you are a finance whiz, you will find parts of the book too conservative and too plain. If you try to magnify your investment returns by trading options, for example, or you invest in real estate, or any other kind of investment other than 'plain vanilla stocks and bonds' you will find the book limiting.

That said, the book provides an excellent organizational structure for any one trying to get a hold on his financial picture.

Good advice, especially for young couples.
This is one of the only financial planning books I've ever purchased and actually read. It was an easy read, and I would say that Bach's plan is easy to follow. It's nothing incredibly unique, but it's a good message to youger people like me (I'm 30) who seem to these days not have good financial basics or the ability to save. I am somewhat in this category and have plenty of friends who are as well.

The lessons are simple. Find where to save, save a little each month, invest it wisely (preferably in your companies 401K or a mutual fund), and pay down your debt before racking up more. However, Bach seems to put it in a manner where he does show how this can pay off, and even gets you half-way motivated to do it yourself. Ultimately though, it will be up to the reader to buckle down and prepare for their financial future.

I have recommended this book to my friends. I also hear that Bach is working on a 'Get Rich for Older Couples' type book and I will probably get that for my parents. ... Read more

Book Description

Dave Ramsey knows what it's like to have it all. By age twenty-six, he had established a four-million-dollar real estate portfolio, only to lose it by age thirty. He has since rebuilt his financial life and, through his workshops and his New York Times business bestsellers Financial Peace and More than Enough, he has helped hundreds of thousands of people to understand the forces behind their financial distress and how to set things right-financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

In this new edition of Financial Peace, Ramsey has updated his tactics and philosophy to show even more readers:

* how to get out of debt and stay out
* the KISS rule of investing-"Keep It Simple, Stupid"
* how to use the principle of contentment to guide financial decision making
* how the flow of money can revolutionize relationships

With practical and easy to follow methods and personal anecdotes, Financial Peace is the road map to personal control, financial security, a new, vital family dynamic, and lifetime peace. ... Read more

Reviews (18)

Awesome book! Get it. Read it. Do it.
In Dave's Financial Peace Revisited, he tells the story of how he got rich then went broke and what he learned from it. Then, Dave tells how he took a long, hard look at our society and how totally "stupid" he was (and most Americans still are) in terms of how he viewed debt and money. Dave then relates how he re-started his own climb to financial independence in a totally different way than he did the first time. This book doesn't have a bunch of conceptual, theoretical junk. It gives you PRACTICAL, immediately implementable steps that anyone can take to get their financial house in order and tells you exactly how to go about it. If you are handling your money well, this book will help you get better. If you're struggling with your money or your relationship with your spouse due to money troubles, this book may change your life. Learn how to manage your money instead of having it manage you. I've been buying copies of this book online and giving them to the people in my life that I care about most. I couldn't recommend it higher. Good luck and may God bless you.

Awesome
No matter your financial situation this book will help you improve your finances. This book shows the dangers of all debt period. Dave provides 7 easy "Baby Steps" to follow to get out of debt and acquire wealth. Following his 7 baby steps will change your family tree. He stresses the importance of having a written budget each month before the month starts, but I really think this should have been the first baby step due to how important it is.
Baby Steps:
1.) ...emergency fund
2.) Debt Snowball
3.) Fully Funded Emergency Fund (3-6 months of expenses)
4.) 15% income towards retirement
5.) College Fund for children
6.) Pay off the mortgage
7.) Acquire wealth and give
I would highly recommend one of his live events if you ever get the opportunity.

Mutual funds do not guarantee financial peace
One of the authors failed at a real estate business (even though he came from a real estate family). He is living proof that not everyone can be Donald Trump. And that is a good thing for people to be aware of.

The essence of the advice this book is offering can be found on page 133: "Disciplined savings will outpace any investment scheme." Next the question is, what do you do with your savings? Their answer is mainly mutual funds. The risk in buying individual stocks, they claim, is astronomical. If the stock market continues to be relatively stable, "financial peace," I think, can be achieved by following the authors' formula, but not if there is an extraordinary financial crisis. If an unusually large stock market crash did occur, a lot of mutual funds would start to look like "investment schemes." Financial peace for many people would be shattered.

I deduct one star because the authors place too much faith in mutual funds. Mutual funds, after all, do invest in individual stocks that are traded on the stock market.

very accessible, to the point reading
Financial Peace is above all common sense--something most of us could use a lot more of, or at least I can, when it comes to money. I had confidence that Ramsey was hitting the topics I should think about, regardless of where I am at in my journey with finances. The Christian aspect of his teachings was a challenge now and then, but basically I decided: if that faith or any faith helps people live more peaceful, productive and happy lives, this is a good thing. The very last chapter gets a little proselytizing but I got the feeling the husband and wife Ramsey team were just doing what they felt they should. All in all, a good read, simple yet contemplative.

Life Changing Advice
Sometimes the obvious is right in front of you, but it takes someone else to point it out. Dave Ramsey does just that in this great book. His advice is sound and doable. By following his baby steps and starting my own debt snowball, I have changed the way my family and I look at our finaces and provided for a much better future. ... Read more

Book Description

The stock market has always been a centerpiece of the American financial scene. With a balanced portfolio that includes stocks you can make a relatively quick profit or save for retirement—if you know what you’re doing.

Whether you’re a beginner that wants to take a crash course on stock investing or you’re already a stock investor who would like to review your current situation, Stock Investing For Dummies has valuable lessons to offer. 

Stock Investing For Dummies will give you a realistic approach to making money in stocks. It offers the essence of sound, practical stock investing strategies and insights that have been market tested and proven from nearly a hundred years of stock market history. This book will help you succeed not only in up markets, but also in down markets. Easy-to-follow and reassuring, this guide will make you a better-informed investor through an exploration of:

• What stocks are and why you should invest in them
• How to create a successful stock portfolio
• The best ways to invest: conservative, aggressive, long-term, short-term
• Information gathering techniques you can use to research stocks before you invest in them
• Investing for growth versus income
• How to analyze industries, companies, and stocks
• Minimizing the tax on your capital gains
• Knowing when not to invest
• How to choose the right broker

Bull markets and bear markets come and go, but the informed investor can keep making money no matter what. Packed with tips for building wealth and holding on to it, Stock Investing For Dummies will show you how to buy and sell with confidence in no time! ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Tight book
For some odd reason the book I got has a different cover. Nevertheless, this is a funny and helpful book.

Solid Easy to Read Foundation
I knew nothing about the stock market, but this book covered all the key concepts in a easy to read and understand format--highly recommended.

A GREAT REFRESHER COURSE FOR THE SEASONED INVESTOR
I read almost every book I can about investing. I have been investing since I was a paperboy at age 16. A man came to my parent's home and presented stock to purchase in an insurance company that was going public. My father, brother and I bought shares in that company. (I realize now that we made a very risky choice in purchasing stocks from a man selling door-to-door). Several years later, I sold my shares to pay college expenses. After college, I jumped into buying low-priced stocks. I later was introduced to a system of buying low-priced stocks of $3 or less a share by an investor named R. Max Bowser. Somewhere in the 1970s I began receiving free copies of a newsletter that he started. After a year, I remember having to subscribe in order to keep receiving the monthly newsletter. I have found his system to be profitable and easy to understand. In addition to the featured book, "Stock Investing for Dummies," I would also recommend R. Max Bowser's books. I have recently read Mr. Bowser's newest book which is based on his investing experience over the past 24 years. After buying "Stock Investing For Dummies," I would recommend getting hold of a copy of "Guaranteed Profits: The Only Stock Market Investment System That Comes With A $5,000 Guarantee," by R. Max Bowser. I have never known of another author making such a guarantee.

Very Basic Stuff
I thought that this book was very simple, too simple, almost to the point of being useless. It has all the basic stuff but it just seems simple and very basic. I think one needs more including the do's and dont's including some guidance or the investor could lose a lot of money - and quickly.

This is a competitive market with hundreds of books on the market. I like any book by John C. Bogle, the founder of the Vanguard Group of mutual funds or by William J. O'Neil. Another good source of books is the Bob Brinker reading list at www.bobbrinker.com.

This book just leaves me feeling like it is a bit light weight.

3 Stars.

Jack in Toronto

Great book on stock investing
I purchased this book in an attempt to decipher all the stock market jargon on the Internet. This book has helped me understand the vast majority of the terms, and gives solid information for first time investers (the author even explains WHEN NOT to get into stock investing). The layout and organization of the book is the reason I gave it five stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

Can literally help save your life!
In today's world of hackers, stalkers, voyeurs, or just plain nosy people, privacy is of the utmost concern. It can literally mean being the target of a crime (such as identity theft or worse) or luckily being overlooked and out of reach of criminals. This book teaches simple, yet effective ways to protect yourself by being "invisible".

This book teaches how to do everything from just having your mail sent to different address to almost creating a whole new identity. Most people would only need minimal privacy enhancement to help them sleep at night, and this book accommodates that person. Surprisingly, though, it also accommodates the person looking to being as close to invisible as possible!

Overall, this book is a fast read that is sectioned off well. You do not need to read every chapter in this book, but can simply skip to each chapter that pertains to you. Most of all, it has the simple step-by-step methods that almost anyone can employ and help keep their personal welfare a little more secure.

THE guide for persons being stalked
As a woman who is being stalked by someone, this book is an absolute dream come true. Mr. Luna has presented an encyclopedia of information on how to make yourself as anonymous as possible, and has done so in a way that anyone can understand...and implement.

The techniques are all legal, which was important to me. I have only started and have a long way to go in order to begin to feel safe, but I'm grateful to have this book as my guide.

It's also quite interesting (and spooky) to learn just how much information is out there about you and how easy it may be accessed. If you are a person in a bad situation and recognize that law enforcement can only do so much, this is the book for you. It's well written, it's specific, and it tells you exactly what to do. Step by step. This is the book you need. It's worth every cent and more! Make sure you buy the latest edition, 2004!

Up-to-the-minute information!
I know of no other author in the field of privacy (and I have all the books) who answers many readers' questions on a day-to-day basis. If you don't believe this, go to www.howtobeinvisible.com and click on the "Questions" link.

I purchased Luna's orginal book in 2000, and his current revised edition. The original book was the best in the field and the new edition is even better. Unlike so many other books that advocate questionable (or illegal) procedures--false ID, offshore trusts, etc.--Luna opts for legal solutions. His tips on getting your mail at an alternate or "ghost" address are alone worth the price of the book.

Thorough, simple, legal
After reading the first edition, I was eager to read the revised addition. I was not disappointed by the many updates that have been included.

First, as before, I was pleased by the simplicity of what is taught. None of the "off shore" schemes promoted by others, and most important for me was the avoidance of anything illegal.

Mr. Luna provides readers not only with methods of keeping one's personal life private, but encourages readers to learn from those methods and develop their own methods that work best for them. But he doesn't stop with the book. Readers of the book are granted access to a portion of his web site that the author has REGULARLY updated for years. This area of his web site provides readers with updates-- very important considering how the world changes so quickly. He also responds personally to readers questions, and posts the responses online so we can all learn together.

It becomes very clear early on that the author has employed these techniques himself, so he knows what works and what doesn't.

He also provides resources-- actual names of people who the author trusts to help protect your privacy.

When one combines the information in the book, the resources, and the web site, one gets a complete privacy package.

I strongly recommend you get this book now-- even if you can't immediately forsee a need for privacy. The steps you need to take can't wait until after someone on the highway feels you cut them off and calls his friend of a friend at the DMV to learn where you live-- it's too late then!

The answer to your post September 11th Concerns:
I own both of J.J. Luna's "How to be Invisible" books, the original and the newly revised edition for 2004. J.J. Luna is an excellent privacy consultant and he keeps up on his trade providing you with correct and current information on protecting your personal privacy.

More info is available @ www.pcpitbull.com with feedback and advice. I have personally written Mr. Luna and one of his accomplices, "Senorita" with questions and suggestions and they have always responded in a quick and courteous manner. I believe this illustrates Mr. Luna's commitment to his readers; something most privacy advocates avoid so that no one can call their bluff.

In "How to be Invisible" the 2004 revision, Mr. Luna does more than just fill the gaps of his old book. He makes it a point to provide the reader with an overall sense of comfort in following his practices, holding your hand through the hard parts and sending you in the right direction to continue on living a private life.

In the beginning of the new book J.J. admits that the events of September 11th 2001 and the subsequent security measures enforced, changed or eradicated a large portion of the first rendition. The changes themselves though, were not very substantial. The theme is the same, the details are a little more detailed and overall I found this new revision to be more informative and helpful than the first. Mr. Luna filled the needed gaps and provided the missing links that every revision attempts to do, and he succeeded. The end result is an easy to follow, informative and moving guide to living a more private life.

Protecting your privacy is not something you should be ashamed of, it does not make you a zealot, it gives you the personal protection that you deserve in today's society. Mr. Luna's book gives you all the information you need to start sewing your modern security blanket. If you value your life and the life of your family, you owe it to yourself and to them to become informed. Start here! ... Read more

Book Description

Real estate titan, bestselling author, and TV impresario Donald J. Trump reveals the secrets of his success. Over the years, everyone has urged Trump to write on this subject, but it wasn't until NBC and executive producer Mark Burnett asked him to star in The Apprentice that he realized just how hungry people are to learn how great personal wealth is created and first-class businesses are run.

In Trump: How To Get Rich, Trump tells all -- about the lessons learned from The Apprentice, his real estate empire, his position as head of the 20,000-member Trump Organization, and his most important role, as a father who has successfully taught his children the value of money and hard work.

With his characteristic brass and smarts, Trump offers insights on how to:

• Invest wisely
• Impress the boss and get a raise
• Manage a business efficiently
• Hire, motivate, and fire employees
• Negotiate anything
• Maintain the quality of your brand
• Think big and live large

Plus, The Donald tells all on the art of the hair! ... Read more

Reviews (147)

The Worst Book Ever Written
Yes, this is the worst book that I have ever read - I would imagine the worst book ever written. For someone that brags endlessly about being a perfectionist, he should be embarrassed. If you want to spend your money to have Trump brag non-stop and then ultimately learn nothing, this is the book for you. There have to be at least 30 pictures of the guy. He somehow manages, between headings and chapter spacing to add an extra 100 pages to the book. One word: pathetic.

Very good read but not exactly true to its title
This book is everything that you would expect it to be: well written, entertaining, full of insight into Trump and his accomplishments. However, it is missing one essential ingredient: any formula for how to get (financially) rich as the title states/implies. I use the word "imply" as well because the title does not specifically have to mean how to get financially rich. The underlying theme of the book is to find the field you are happy in and work hard at what you do. Of course, that in and of itself will not make everyone financially independent. However, throughout the book Trump continually speaks about the strong relationships he has with not only his family (ex-wives included), but with his employees, who tend to be very loyal to him and the Trump organization. But in the end, I was entertained and enjoyed reading the various stories and loved that each chapter was no more than a few pages, which helps prevent boredom on any particular subject that one may not find interesting.

Attention to detail and seeing the big picture...
Personally, years ago, the first time I read about "The Donald", there was something about him that I really liked - I couldn't actually put my finger on exactly what it was, but there was an instant admiration, and a clear, instinctive impression that he was straight forward, honest and tremendously hard working. A true American character.

Through the media we watched his well-publicised divorce from Ivana, and his near bankruptcy in the realm of 9.2 billion dollars. At that time, particularly here in Australia, we had our own 80's millionaires fall from grace, and the public at large loved every minute of it. As a society, we love to see the mighty fall; it seems to be in our natures. But unlike some of our fallen entrepreneurs, The Donald came back and came back with a vengeance, which was an astonishing feat, and for me, very inspiring. Unlike some of my friends and family, I enjoy watching the reality television show, The Apprentice - its value lies in its believable portrayal of the business world and the skill and personality required to survive in that world. This is what prompted me to read Trump's latest memoir, and without reservation, I was thoroughly impressed.

The book is organized in six parts: Business and Management, Career Advice, Money, The Secrets of Negotiation, The Trump Lifestyle and Inside the Apprentice. One can glean from these pages a wealth of advice to achieve success and potential wealth. This advice is from a man who has succeeded many times over, rising from the ashes of defeat like the proverbial phoenix. The writing style is breezy and chatty, as if you were sitting in front of the man in his office. Some of his anecdotes are entertaining to the point where I actually laughed out loud. My favourite chapter would have to be, A Week in the Life, written in a diary format hour by hour through a five-day week. From this one gets a true picture of the man's immense energy level and genuine passion for what he does every day. In fact I was a little exhausted after finishing the chapter and amazed at his capacity for work. And this is the secret: dogged hard work, attention to detail and grasping the big picture. I believe he would be a hard man to work for because he's such a perfectionist, but the experience would be well worth the time and potential anguish.

Because the writing is simple and flowing, the book can be properly read in a few hours. His advice is practical and can be applied immediately. Reading How to get Rich was absolutely an afternoon well spent. Highly recommended.

Thin gruel
Trump is a fascinating character and great at being a celebrity. He's a big believer in the American Dream, and one can't fault him for that. This book is interesting if you approach it wanting to hear his voice in your head and get a little inspiration to keep moving and working toward your own dreams. If you're looking for specific advice or detailed plans, go elsewhere. This is not a book for deep thoughts.

Great look inside Donald's business dealings
Short, concise, and to the point. That's the way the book is written and that's the way I like it. Get to the point, don't B.S., then move on. The brief sections makes it easy to read and reference. Just like his buildings, the layout and design of this book makes it enjoyable.
I don't believe he's given away all of his secrets, but it's very interesting to see what goes on in the day in the life of Donald Trump. I also beleive he was hamming it up a bit (probably to some perspective clients, lenders, and customers), but that's ok. I wouldn't expect anything less.
The way he describes handling obstacles that cross his path is actually inspiring. It kind of keeps things in perspective. He may deal in millions, but I figure anyone's obstacles can be overcome if they use his processes with dealing with them.
Even if you don't like him, it's fascinating to see how his life works (and that's just the part he let's us see). I, for one, appreciate the doors being open for others. ... Read more

Book Description

Kapoor/Dlabay/Hughes' Personal Finance is the #1 market-leading Personal Finance text.It provides comprehensive coverage of personal financial planning in the areas of money management, career planning, taxes, consumer credit, housing and other consumer decisions, legal protection, insurance, investments, retirement planning, and estate planning.The goal of this text is to teach students the fundamentals of financial planning so they can make informed choices related to spending, saving, borrowing, and investing that lead to long-term financial security.Personal Finance, 7/e provides many financial planning tools using a step-by-step approach to help students identify and evaluate choices as well as understand the consequences of decisions in terms of opportunity costs. ... Read more

Book Description

The million-copy bestseller, now fully up-to-date and ready for post-dot-com investors.

Using the dot-com crash as an object lesson in how not to manage your portfolio, here is the best-selling, gimmick-free, irreverent, vastly informative guide to navigating the turbulence of the market and managing investments with confidence.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street is well established as a staple of the business shelf, the first book any investor should read before taking the plunge and starting a portfolio. With its life-cycle guide to investing, it matches the needs of investors at any age bracket. Burton G. Malkiel shows how to analyze the potential returns, not only for stocks and bonds but also for the full range of investment opportunities, from money market accounts and real estate investment trusts to insurance, home ownership, and tangible assets like gold and collectibles.

Whether you want to verse yourself in the ways of the market before talking to a broker or follow Malkiel's easy steps to managing your own portfolio, this book remains the best investing guide money can buy. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

An academic's view of Wall Street
A Random Walk takes the reader on a path from the point of view of an academic, rather than that of a trader. That is sufficient to make this book different from most other stock market tomes. Malkiel's premise is that neither the the average investor nor the professional trader can expect to perform better that the "market" over any significant period of time. He considers market events to be random, and thus unpredictable. He offers piles of data to support his contentions, and his arguments are compelling.

Yet, those who trade using technical analysis scoff at books such at this, claiming their systems consistently beat the averages. The author points to the fact that most managers of mutual funds, pensions etc. fail to perform better than index funds and Malkiel recommends that public investors place their investment money into broad based index funds. The S&P 500 Index fund is recommended, as it is unrealistic to expect fund managers to perform better.

This classic has been around for 30 years and this revised edition is worth your time, especially if you have never read an earlier edition. Just be aware that many technical traders consider this to be a work of fiction.

Malkiel has an irrefutable position (paradoxically)
Burton G. Malkiel's "Random Walk," first published over 30 years ago, is now a classic text on investing and is surely worth anyone's time and effort. Simply written, Malkiel conveys the debate over the validity of the efficient market hypothesis with ease and effectiveness; this edition's updated comments on the dot-com craze are insightful and probably worth the price of the book themselves.

While I support the view that fundamental and technical analysis generally offer very little in the way of helpful advice, I believe that Malkiel's view that no investment strategy can beat the market over the long run is, to put it simply, irrefutable. Therein, however, lies its problem.

Suppose, for instance, that I have this remarkable strategy of buying and selling stocks which has earned me consistant long run returns on the market. Of course, if I tell anyone the specifics of this strategy and how wonderful it works, they will want to start using it for themselves. But then my strategy will stop working; the more people use a particular strategy, the harder it is for that strategy to continue work. Malkiel himself notes that if everyone uses the strategy of buying stocks on January 1st and selling them five days later, a simple strategy of buying on December 31st and selling on the 4th will generate consistant, long run returns. But then, if everyone adopts the new strategy, the long run returns vanish!

The key to a successful investing strategy, then, is to keep it secret. Since any strategy published in Malkiel's "Random Walk" is likely to be read and studied by millions, the moment he publishes something that would refute the efficient market hypothesis, the hypothesis is again reconfirmed. Clever devil, that Malkiel.

Other than that, my only problem with Malkiel's book is that he refers to countless articles and studies published in academia, but he leaves the inquiring reader clueless as to where to look for them. A simple "references" section would solve this problem (although it would easily provide further reason to justify publishing a new edition, thus earning Malkiel even more money).

Solid advice for funding your life
In a nutshell Malkiel's advice is to own your own home, buy no-load index funds (equities and bonds), buy international index funds, and mix your investments according to your age. You should also have medical and plain term life insurance, and cash on hand for a few months in case of an emergency. This book is a complete course in how to manage your money effectively, whether you're a millionaire or a low-income earner. It also gently but firmly chastises proponents of get-rich-quick schemes such as day traders.

First, the book explains what is financial risk, and points out that everything is risky, even insured savings accounts since inflation can destroy the value of cash. Malkiel describes just how risky various investments are, and how the risk is one investment is often offset by the risk in another. Second, Malkiel describes a variety of specific investments (e.g. no load index funds, your own home, individual stocks) and suggests how individual investors should mix them, depending on their personal circumstances. For instance, an ambitious young woman in her twenties can consider aggressive high-risk high-growth funds. If they boom, she's rich, if they bust she's young enough to recover her losses through income. This would not be true of a middle-aged couple about to pay for their children's college years.

"A Random Walk Down Wall Street" should be in every family's library.

Spurious Monkey Business
Very few fund managers, brokers or money managers can beat the market. OK, that is factual and common knowledge. Yet, the vast majority of investors entrust their stock portfolios with these poorly performing professionals instead of parking all of their investment capital in no- load index funds or ETFs. Is the market then truly efficient or are their millions of sato- masochistic investors out there that want to underperform?

In 1999, the Nasdaq market leaders traded for well over 100x p/e. It defied logic and a few shorts would have been "efficient." The market continued to rocket upwards until March, 2000 and shorts would have been death to you in 1999. A share of some company breaks out of a trading range and moves up 5% in value in 10 minutes on no news or fundamental change. This type of thing still happens. How can a market be truly efficient when there is ingrained stupidity such high levels? Consider the handicap mutual funds are strapped with: They must be at least 70% invested on the long side at all times regardless of how overvalued the equity markets are. That means mutual funds will be sloshing money in defensive industry stocks such as casinos and bottlers during a market melt down. Conversely, it means "value" stocks will be frequently trading for less than book value during boom times. In an efficient system, you have real checks and balances insuring stock prices on an equal footing with intrinsic value and not cosmetic tomfoolery.

How does investor psychology come into play? Human psychology is not efficient but it is sometimes predictable. I'm betting that whatever look Brittney wears in her next video and whatever is worn on the runways of Milan will be adopted within a few months by the hordes. The darts won't tell you that.

In 1983, a Members Only jacket and a pair of designer parachute pants would set you back maybe $150. Today, you can only find these items in a thrift store for considerably less. The lesson is that in the short term, there are all kinds of irrational trends. Over a long time span, a regression to the mean will filter out lots of follies only to be replaced by some other ridiculous fads and a few long lasting good ideas. Everybody knows that garish haute couture has a higher profit margin than the common t- shirt. I'd rather be hawking the haute couture.

There is marked inefficiency in the markets over longer time frames also. Check out the valuations on Coke and the consumer staples over the last several years and compare them with historical norms. Many stocks seem to be permanantly overvalued. And what is this fascination with historical valuations? Many investment managers are in awe of the historical valuations as if it were definitive. Frankly, the variables have changed over time and comparisons with history make less sense today.

The entire market is based on stupidity, manic emotion, misinformation and knee jerk responses. I could get into wirehouse sales tactics and conflicts of interest but I will spare you. That is not to say that it can be figured out.

Oh, and if the market were efficient it would learn from its mistakes. There were bucket shops in 1890, and there are bucket shops today. At the turn of the century, automotive stocks were doubling seemingly overnight only to later crash and burn. Fuel cell stocks were the rage a couple of years ago.
Most fuel cell stocks are now trading for a fraction of what their highs were. There is nothing new under the sun.

Has Solid Information
This book has its rough spots, but all in all it's definitely worth the money. This book has a very comprehensive treatment of risk, reward, and diversification, and these alone make it worth reading. I dispute some things that Malkiel says. He seems emotionally attached to the efficient market theory, and no piece of evidence can make him question it. It gets a little annoying to read page after page of examples that clearly show inefficient stock pricing, only to have Malkiel "explain away" the apparent contradiction with the efficient market theory. Throughout the book he also unnecessarily insults practicioners of technical and fundamental analysis, which is probably why there are some emotionally charged negative reviews. [An earlier reviewer said that this book was geared towards women. I don't know how he infered this!] Though Malkiel did not convince me of the validity of the efficient market theory, he did convince me with this book that it is very, very difficult for anyone (professional or independent investor) to consistently beat the market averages. If you can overlook the negatives of this book you will find that there is quite a bit of excellent information. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Wonderful Book!
Mr. Heavens certainly knows his stuff when it comes to how to make your house look nice! Look at the back cover of the book with Search Inside the Book, and Mr. Heaven's credentials are certainly worthy of one's trust. The really cool thing about Mr. Heavens, however, is that his knowledge does not just stop at home renovation but he is truly a polymath. With this book and this great writer, renovating one's house raises from the level of a fun skill to a true art form; but of course, as you are drawn into the art, you will also learn more fun tips than you can find anywhere else.

You will not regret buying this! ... Read more

Book Description

Suze Orman has transformed the concept of personal finance for millions by teaching us how to gain control of our money -- so that money does not control us. She goes beyond the nuts and bolts of managing money to explore the psychological, even spiritual power money has in our lives. The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom is the first personal finance book that gives you not only the knowledge of how to handle money, but also the will to break through all the barriers that hold you back.

Combining real-life recommendations with the motivation to overcome financial anxieties, Suze Orman offers the keys to providing for yourself and your family, including:

* seeing how your past holds the key to your financial future
* facing your fears and creating new truths
* trusting yourself more than you trust others
* being open to receiving all that you are meant to have
* understanding the lessons of the money cycle

The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom is useful advice and inspiration from the leading voice in personal finance. As Orman shows, managing money is far more than a matter of balancing your checkbook or picking the right investments. It's about redefining financial freedom -- and realizing that you are worth far more than your money. ... Read more

Reviews (172)

Practical, useful, multidimensional, immediate use
Just finished reading this...and then immediately went into work and changed my 401(k) contribution to the maximum. Also am looking for a money market account and will begin managing my own IRA stuff...now that I feel more comfortable doing it. Plan to lend the book to friends, and called my parents to tell them to get a copy and start getting things in order...such as getting a trust instead of a will, getting LTC insurance, etc. I liked her straightforward writing style; she has a knack for explaining the "mysterious" world of investing and finance in a way you can quickly and easily understand. She makes you feel more confident...that you can indeed manage your money. In today's often confusing world, it was very helpful to hear that you can trust your intuition and you don't have to "fall prey" to financial advisors. Also, from personal experience, I know that her advice about "good brings good" and "respect of money will bring you more money" is true. My husband got in a serious accident a year ago and at the time we were in a bad bad financial position--no emergency funds, high credit card debt, prospects of little or no income. This "kick in the pants" helped me to take control of my money and now a year later our credit cards are paid off, we have 4 months of bills in the bank, and I am maxing out my 401(k). Suze Orman's book came to me just when I was ready for the next step, and I am putting it to good use. I highly recommend!!!

Financial Serenity
While this author describes 9 steps towards "Financial Freedom," I kept asking myself, "But what about ...?"

For those of who want a great primer into recreating your financial identity, this is an excellent beginning.

Suze Orman started out with a degree in Sociology (And she was attacked in the financial world for having "too much psychobabble").

Two events that compelled her to learn about and to be an expert on money:
1. When her father's store caught on fire, he desperately ran
into the store to grab his cash register. This caused him to
be badly burned. And it taught Suze Orman to learn about
investments, savings and related topics.
2. After college, she was a stock broker for Merrill Lynch.
This is where she learned the difference between what was
being told to the public, and what the truth about money is.

Through these events she discovered her life's work is telling people the truth about money.

Within this book Orman talks a lot about uncovering your money memories, and seeing where those money memories have led you to have the relationship to money that you now have.

She also covers many fundamental topics about retirement and investing in this book. But she does not take readers through the journey of earning a dollar, to growing that dollar into several millions - or to allowing that money to work for you.

I'd suggest that you read these seven books, after reading "Nine Steps to Financial Freedom":
1. "More Wealth Without Risk," by Charles Givens
2. "Financial Self-Defense," by Charles Givens
3. "The Millionaire Next Door," by Thomas J. Stanley, Ph.D., &
William D. Danko, Ph.D.
4. "Simple Abundance," by Sarah Ban Breathnach
5. "Creating Money," by Sanaya Roman & Duane Packer
6. "Girl, Get Your Money Straight!" by Glinda Bridgforth
7. "Open Your Mind to Prosperity," by Catherine Ponder

Where most financial books assume that you have money, and that you are not only ready to allow that money to work harder than you work, they also assume that you will be at peace with this.

Read "Nine Steps to Financial Freedom," to face your past, and to practice, for the sake of practicing to be a peace with your control over money.

Useful bits
I found this book to be sowewhat educational with a some good ideas here and there. With books like this, I try the philosophy "absorb what is useful". Some things are very helpful and some are just conceit in my opinion. I wouldn't pay too much for it, but every little bit of simple info helps.

Outstanding book Suze
The 9 Steps to Financial Freedom is OUTSTANDING in presentation and content. Suze is indeed the Queen of personal finance and the most widely read financial author today.

In addition to this great book, I also recommend More Wealth Without Risk and Financial Self Defense by Charles Givens. Two books that gives even more OUTSTANDING advice that you won't find anywhere else.

Great books. Good luck!

My favorite personal finance book
Although Suze has written newer material, 9 Steps is still my favorite personal finance book. I believe it is the best personal finance book bar none.

These fans of Quinn need to get a life. If Quinn is so great, how come her book doesn't sell and those that bought it [myself included] were vastly dissappointed with it.

Besides, Quinn has her own place to write reviews. Why come over here unless it is a desperate attempt to drum up interest in her pathetic book. ... Read more

Book Description

" . . . quite simply the best financial self-help book." ... Read more

Reviews (59)

Excellent, easy to read introduction for managing finances.
Chilton's book is a must read for anyone over the age of 10.

Written as a novel, Roy the Barber takes clients through easy steps to create wealth. He discusses everything from the new Roth IRAs to home buying, mutual funds, compounding intereset, investment strategies and how to save money necessary for achieving financial wealth. His advice is practical, sound, and realistic.

Unlike most financial books, The Wealthy Barber is free from technical jargon, and encourages readers to take action now to be smarter about money issues.

Even seasoned financial wizards benefit by discovering better ways to explain finances to others.

Read it, and pass it on to your spouse, family, children and friends.

Get Rich Slowly, Steady, and with Sure Success
There are a lot of books on how to manage your money. Most are too thick, few leave a lasting impression and almost none of them are fun to read. One of the first exception is "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton. It is really fun. You read this book like a novel with a trouble putting it down. But by combining the common sense and humor this "novel" in its dialog style shows that sound financial planning is pretty simple stuff. And it actually makes personal money management understandable and attainable.

I believe, plenty of years from now "The Wealthy Barber" could be remembered by readers. And they could remember Mr. David Chilton not as best-selling author, but as the guy who inspired hundreds of thousands of people to save their way to prosperity. In fact, for many readers, "The Wealthy Barber" is possibly the only book they need. If ever a financial planning was written for those without any financial backgrounds, this is it - "The Wealthy Barber".

Well-balanced advice
If you cannot decide whether you should own or rent a place to live in, the barber discusses this issue very thoughtfully, and this discussion will help you make the better decision.

The barber does believe that it is possible to make money in stocks. If you have discipline and courage, he thinks you can actually buy low and sell high. The barber tells you to buy undervalued stocks and then sell them later for a higher price when the real value of the stock is recognized by the market. The author does warn you that you do have to be able to tell the difference between an undervalued stock and one that is unhealthy. This is tough to do. So it is not the barber's fault if you lose money because he leaves it there for you to figure out.

What about buying low and selling high in real estate? On page 178 Mr. Chilton writes that sometimes it is possible to "buy it [real estate] at any price, sell higher." But in other parts of the book he writes that real estate prices won't always keep going up.

The 10% solution is not enough, it won't get the job done for many readers. There are signs that inflation, after a long absence, is on the way back. It should be a 15% solution.

I deduct one star because the book does not have an index. I think an index is very useful, and adds value to a book. However, on page 44, after discussing all the pros and cons of owning versus renting, the author says that buying the condo was a good idea. I became so happy that the barber put the new condo owner on the right track, I gave him back the star.

All I have to say is get on with it!
I almost didn't make it through the first part of the book.
The first two chapters are a waste of time unless you are a Detroit sports fan. (And I live in Detroit)
The next two chapters talk about wills and life insurance and have some useful information if you don't know anything about either of these two areas.
Start on Chapter 6 for retirement
If you are already a home owner, invest in a 401k or some other type of IRA, and have some idea of what you do with your disposable income then skip this book.

IF YOU ARE JUST STARTING OUT, I must say this book has much more "real" concrete financial advice than a book like Rich Dad Poor Dad. If you had to pick between the two, select this one

The Wordy Barber
There are true gems in this book and even though they are buried in a lot of irrelevant drivel, they are there! Do not let the silly modern 'reader friendly' fad of making any topic "easier", ' idiot proof' and 'for dummies' by the use of a conversation that is utterly off putting and idiotic, stop you from gathering the gems of knowledge in this book. Rise beyond that and get the BENEFITS!

Unlike some recent popular drivel that masquerades as ' a road to financial freedom' etc, after you have read this book you have a detailed blue print that you can follow immediately and get yourself on tract to a secure financial future.

As I said.. wordy, so 4 stars. ... Read more

Book Description

Strategies from an IRS insider for slashing taxes, maximizing legal deductions, avoiding audits, and more

Through his years as an IRS tax attorney, Sandy Botkin discovered that most Americans could legally­­ and dramatically­­ cut their tax bills by establishing themselves as independent contractors or businesspersons. In Lower Your Taxes--­­Big Time!, Botkin explains how, outlining a straightforward program for writing off everything from family vacations to movies and plays, and receiving a subsidy of $5,000 or more from the IRS each and every year.

From tips for launching a business to strategies for audit-proofing a return, Lower Your Taxes­­--Big Time! is a gold mine of information for every frustrated taxpayer. Tax-cutting strategies include:

• How, why, and when to incorporate
• Fail-safe methods for deducting a home office and family car
• Simple but essential record-keeping tips
• Tax advantages of being a consultant,independent contractor, or independent businessperson

Reviews (20)

Excellent
The main idea behind all books like this is that you MUST start some kind of business (part time, at home, whatever) to take advantage of some amazing tax laws. Making that first move is probably the hardest step for most people. Don't expect a motivational pep talk here. Think of it like this: What would you give for a 10% raise? 20%? 30%? You can save that much in taxes if you take the small step of creating a business.

Once you are ready to take that step, this book is wonderful. Other books talk about the same stuff, but this one is easy to read, well organized, and best of all, the author cites everything to the IRS code or case law. That is important since many financial gurus (think Rich Dad series) give advice that is plainly wrong or sometimes even illegal. This book is 100% legit.

I was concerned when I heard the author was associated with Tony Robbins, but Mr. Botkin makes no attempt to sell or promote any product in this book.

Read this book, save lots of money. Good luck.

Interesting book with a very different approach
I would have given it 4 and 1/2 stars but that wasn't an option. The only reason that I didn't give it 5 stars was that the book deals with small and home bases business issues and for real estate owners and investors. I am retired and thus, could only benefit from the real estate discussion.However, I did have a business before retirement.

I got this book after reading a great review in the Orlando Sentinal.This book would have saved me a bundle had I known about this information many years ago. It is cleverly written and has a lot of good information that I myself never heard from my accountant. I especially liked all the examples and tips that I found really useful in understanding the tax planning sections I also liked the elaborations, which provided some nice insights into why Congress passed various laws or on what to do about certain laws,with a great deal of clarity and specificity.

One very unsual feature that I found in this book that I never read in any other book was all the information that was provided on how to "audit proof" each and every tax planning strategy. I have used the J.K. Lasser guide in preparing my taxes, and I have never seen as much specific information on how to IRS bullet proof each deduction as Mr. Botkin provides.

Many financial books I read are rather shallow and lack a lot of the details necessary to implement what they are suggesting. Also, there seems to be a trend in financial and real estate books to serve as a giant advertisement for consulting services or for other books. This was NOT the problem in this book,which was frankly very refreshing.

Even as a retired person, I did, however, find the real estate section to be very useful. It will save me a bundle on some real estate mistakes that I didn't know about all these years.

Some reviewer noted that this book doesn't show you how to plan for the various tax laws. He must not have read the same book that I read because this book has a lot of specificity on what to do with each applicable law.

In short: I have given a copy of this book to my son and daughter. That should tell you what I think of the book.

You MUST read this book to get all you can for your family!
We all work too hard for our money to let ignorance of available tax reduction strategies keep us from our money. I thought this book would be boring and dry as most tax books are, but I was blown away by Mr. Botkin's style and delivery. The material is laid out extremely well and everything is immediately "actionable" to let you begin taking advantage of existing laws and structure. There are loads of provisions to your advantage in the tax codes, but it is your responsibility to take off the blinders of ignorance.

I have purchased a copy of this book for my lawyers and accountants and my key team as an invaluable resource. I recommend this book over every other tax strategy and tax saving book I have ever read!

To all bogus reviewers such as "Be Careful"
To the person who reviewed my book as "Be careful" I don't know if you are a person with a competing book, have some sort of "ax to grind" or just dumb; however, NO WHERE in my book do I advocate setting up a home based business solely for tax benefits. The book is designed for people who specifically have a bona fide small business operated with an honest expectation of profit. In fact, had you taken the time to read my book, you would have seen that I get into this in great detail in Chapter 8, "How to Shield Yourself From The IRS Weapon of Classifying Your Business As a Hobby." See pages 109- through 130 and specifically mentioning what you note on the top three paragraphs of page 122. Also, just for the record, over the years, I have had numerous attorneys, accountants and even IRS agents comment on the depth of my business vs. hobby discussion.

I normally don't respond to reviews since I don't mind criticism of my book. In fact, I encourage it if it is fair so that I can make changes to future editions. However, you are way off the mark, and I, therefore, felt that you this needed a response.! I should note that I am always trying to give the best information in my material. If mistakes occur or if you feel that I can present it in a better manner, please send your suggestions to my email at trisem@aol.com. Send it to the attention of Sandy Botkin

Buying another one!
I bought this book based on the reviews and they were right. I loved it - it's straightforward, easy to read, and really has great advice! To note - this book is all about lowering your taxes by having your own business. If you're not interested in this option, this book isn't for you. My mom liked it so much I gave her my copy and I'm online to buy myself another. Highly recommend! ... Read more

Book Description

This updated, compact desk reference book defines and explains more than 4,000 terms related to investment. They include types of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, as well as terms that apply to banking, corporate finance, and tax laws, including the most recent revisions in income tax law. The book also features helpful charts and graphs. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

More Than A Book
Expect this little work to be exactly what it is titled, "Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms". It does not contain a story, or financial advice, or commonly used terms. It is a financial dictionary. Its binding is "professional softcover" and has very thin pages- required due to 600+ pages. I notice some reviewers' felt it was not worth the money. Where else can you find a professional dictionary of specialized terms for under $12 ? I found the book so useful, I purchased Barron's Investment Guide, which includes the dictionary. I recommend both of these books (...)

If your looking for an enthralling read, the Finance Dictionary is not that. If you're looking for an inexpensive, professional little reference book, full of pertinent terms and explanations, this one will definitely earn its keep.

Not Perfect, But Very Useful
When I first got into the financial field many years ago, I kept a copy of this book (an earlier edition) close at hand at all times. As I read The Wall Street Journal and Business Week, this book proved indispensible to help me understand concepts and jargon. Today, it is dog-eared, wrinkled and dirty, but I still turn to it occasionally. Yes, some of the definitions are outdated or incomplete. Yes, some terms are missing. But this is the best dictionary of financial terms I've ever seen, and I recommend it to anyone who needs an easy-to-use reference guide.

Great Tool When Dealing with Finance or Investment
Unless you work in finance and investment, it is virtually impossible to keep apprised of the terminology and jargon. Even if you do, it's probably fairly easy to come across some word that you do not know the meaning of or are uncertain as to its meaning. This handy reference book is perfect for both professionals and non-professionals who find themselves confronted with the often arcane verbiage of the finance and investment world.

This book has frequently been of personal use to me in reviewing contracts for clients, as well as helping me when I stumble across some unknown term while reading. This is a nice little tool that should be on your shelf or in your pocket the next time you talk to someone about finances, investments, or even insurance.

Not a panacea but extremely useful
I find myself somewhat amazed at the financial analysts and brokers who find this book unsatisfactory. The poignant analogy coming to mind is offering the book "Accounting for Dummies" to a CPA. Of course it is unsatisfying. A book like this is not aimed at seasoned professionals in the field; rather, it's intended audience is grounded in those with little or no exposure to the securities/financial fields.

I have been involved in securities litigation consulting for almost a decade now. As my consulting practice has grown, I have hired many individuals, most of whom are not well-versed in securities/financial jargon. In significantly all cases, these new employees feel ill-at-ease initially when reviewing case files and documentation due to the learning ramp and educational abyss. I have found if I offer them a copy of the DICTIONARY OF FINANCE AND INVESTMENT TERMS (DFIT) on their first day, the learning curve is flattened and becomes much shorter in duration. As a matter of fact, several of my employees have taken the initiative to take their DFIT home to look for particular words/phrases common to their daily routines. By derivation, this makes the employee feel much less out of place and instills some level of motivation relative to their work (this has been a definite intangible benefit to my practice).

I keep one in my office and although I don't crack it very often, there are times when I'm not as familiar with a word/phrase and then, I rely on DFIT. This is similar to the situation of reading a book, seeing a word you can pronounce and know but aren't quite certain of its EXACT meaning. Let's face it, with over 5,000 entries in DFIT, most professionals, even those entrenched in the field, will find themselves fuzzy on certain words and phrases.

While DFIT is not a panacea, it certainly fills the void. I would recommend this book for anyone new to the finance/investment fields and most professionals who deal on the fringes of these industries. ... I don't really see how one can go wrong here (particularly given that many reference offerings go for hundreds of dollars).

Endorsed by an elected treasurer.
As the elected treasurer for a Califonia county we have had this wonderful little book since its 2nd edition.

Of all the reference and resource books we have at our disposal, this book ranks the highest.

The book is updated quite often and is worth its weight in gold! ... Read more

Book Description

A wise and inspiring exploration of the connection between money and leading a fulfilling life.

This compelling and fundamentally liberating book shows us that examining our attitudes toward money—earning it, spending it, and giving it away—can offer surprising insight into our lives, our values, and the essence of prosperity.

Lynne Twist is a global activist and fund-raiser who has raised more than $150 million in individual contributions for charitable causes. Through personal stories and practical advice, she demonstrates how we can replace feelings of scarcity, guilt, and burden with experiences of sufficiency, freedom, and purpose. She shares from her own life, a journey illuminated by remarkable encounters with the richest and poorest people on earth, from the famous (Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama) to the anonymous but unforgettable heroes of everyday life. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A thoughtful exploration of our relationship with money
In this book, Lynne Twist explores the relationship that people - rich, poor and in between - have with money. For many of us, it is a relationship fraught with anxiety and the sense of scarcity. No matter how much we have, or how many things we've bought with it, there's not enough.

But through her globe-spanning experiences, Ms. Twist has found ways to replace a sense of scarcity with a more-positive understanding of sufficiency and the freedom that awareness provides.

No matter what your personal financial situatio