This isn’t another book of “buy a bunch of stocks, hold them for 30 years, and hope for the best” type of investment advice. “Higher Returns from Safe Investments: Using Bonds, Stocks, and Options to Generate Lifetime Income” by Marvin Appel delivers an alternative perspective on the risks and returns from other types of investments; namely bonds. However, he doesn’t just stop there. The book also covers a broad range of other under-appreciated investments such as high-dividend stocks, preferred stocks, and covered call options. I’ll be the first to admit: There is nothing sexy about reading a book about bonds. But after experiencing the evaporation of money during the Great Recession of 2008, I think a book with this sort of title … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Higher Returns from Safe Investments” by Marvin Appel
Money Books
Book Review: “Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future” by Robert B. Reich
No, this isn’t a mistake. I didn’t just publish the same post twice. This summer, I read two separate books titled “Aftershock”. Each one was about our economy and fortunately they were both outstanding! For my review of the other “Aftershock” book by Wiedemer, Wiedemer, and Spitzer, click here. “Aftershock” by Robert Reich was a liberal perspective towards understanding our economic mess, what it could turn into, and how we can solve it. The theme of this book is simple: • Without change, the middle class will not be able to sustain our economy. … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Aftershock: The Next Economy and America’s Future” by Robert B. Reich
Book Review: “Aftershock: Protect Yourself and Profit in the Next Global Financial Meltdown” by David Wiedemer, Robert A. Wiedemer and Cindy S. Spitzer
Wow. That’s all I can say about this book. Wow. If everything they predict in this book is coming true, we are all in TROUBLE! Aftershock: Protect Yourself and Profit in the Next Global Financial Meltdown is a book about economic “bubbles”. In short, a bubble is when the price of something grows out of control beyond its true value. Eventually, the erratic price becomes unsustainable, and the bubble “pops” meaning that it rapidly drops in price. Bubbles are nothing new; they can be found all throughout history. Some examples of recent, prominent economic bubbles include the “dot.com” bubble and the “housing market” bubble which many of us are still suffering. This was very exciting read. It was written in 2009, and some of the events … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Aftershock: Protect Yourself and Profit in the Next Global Financial Meltdown” by David Wiedemer, Robert A. Wiedemer and Cindy S. Spitzer
Amazon.com Sells “Smart Money” Magazine for $5 – Plus a Lot of Others!
Right now, Amazon.com is selling a one year subscription of one of my personal favorite magazines, Smart Money, for $5! I’ve tried out a lot of financial planning magazines, but I always stick to Smart Money over the rest. Why do I like it the best? • It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner or an experienced investor. They have something for everyone. • The articles cover a variety of topics: Picking the best stocks, retirement planning, health-care, advice on alternative investment products, travel, deals, current events, and so much more. … [Read more...] about Amazon.com Sells “Smart Money” Magazine for $5 – Plus a Lot of Others!
Book Review: “The Little Book of Big Dividends” by Charles B. Carlson
If you think that putting your money into bonds or CD’s is the only way to hedge against the roller-coaster ride of the stock market, think again! Author Charles Carlson demonstrates that an age old benefit of owning stocks called “dividends” can be used to create a stream of income and protect against market conditions. Right now if you asking yourself “what is a dividend?”, then this is the right book for you. “The Little Book of Big Dividends” is a great introduction for anyone looking to get acquainted with dividends and how they relate to stocks. The material is easy to read and it is not overly equation-heavy (except for the Appendix) or preachy on risky investments. In fact, Carlson’s advice is very modest and follows the lines of … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The Little Book of Big Dividends” by Charles B. Carlson
Book Review: “The Big Secret for the Small Investor” by Joel Greenblatt
Click the image to visit Amazon.comPersonality. Sarcasm. Normally I don’t use entertaining words to describe personal finance books, but this one embodies those qualities. In this very brief read by Joel Greenblatt (an investment company owner and professor at the Columbia Business School), Greenblatt colorfully lays out his arguments and foundation for his two part (A and B) investment plan which he refers to as his “Big Secret”. … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The Big Secret for the Small Investor” by Joel Greenblatt
Book Review: “The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated” by Timothy Ferriss
Click the image to visit Amazon.comThis is one of the most entertaining and unconventional financial life-style books I have ever read. Not only will it open your mind to a world opportunities that few people even know exist, but it will challenge the status-quo of how you live your life. … [Read more...] about Book Review: “The 4-Hour Workweek, Expanded and Updated” by Timothy Ferriss
Book Review: “Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security at Every Stage in Life” by Charles Farrell
Click the image to visit Amazon.comMost financial books tell you come up with a retirement goal and to save towards it. Period. But have you ever wondered if you were on the right track? At 30, how much should I have saved for retirement? What about 40, 50, etc? What about debt, savings, etc.? Where do I stack up against my peers? … [Read more...] about Book Review: “Your Money Ratios: 8 Simple Tools for Financial Security at Every Stage in Life” by Charles Farrell
