A comprehensive guide to the complexities of personal finance and the myriad investment decisions facing the individual, particularly during the current economic climate where individuals need to maximise their savings and safeguard long-term investments, such as pension plans.
The bestselling author of Pioneering Portfolio Management, the definitive template for institutional fund management, returns with a book that shows individual investors how to manage their financial assets. In Unconventional Success, investment legend David F. Swensen offers incontrovertible evidence that the for-profit mutual fund industry consistently fails the average investor. From excessive management fees to the frequent "churning" of portfolios, the relentless pursuit of profits by mutual fund management companies harms individual clients. Perhaps most destructive of all are the hidden schemes that limit investor choice and reduce returns, including "pay-to-play" product-placement fees, stale-price trading scams, soft-dollar kickbacks, and 12b-1 distribution charges. Even if investors manage to emerge unscathed from an encounter with the profit-seeking mutual fund industry, individuals face the likelihood of self-inflicted pain. The common practice of selling losers and buying winners (and doing both too often) damages portfolio returns and increases tax liabilities, delivering a one-two punch to investor aspirations. In short: Nearly insurmountable hurdles confront ordinary investors. Swensen's solution? A contrarian investment alternative that promotes well-diversified, equity-oriented, "market-mimicking" portfolios that reward investors who exhibit the courage to stay the course. Swensen suggests implementing his nonconformist proposal with investor-friendly, not-for-profit investment companies such as Vanguard and TIAA-CREF. By avoiding actively managed funds and employing client-oriented mutual fund managers, investors create the preconditions for investment success. Bottom line? Unconventional Success provides the guidance and financial know-how for improving the personal investor's financial future.
The third edition of A Guide to Personal Investments is a comprehensive guide to the complexities of personal finance in 2011. Bearing in mind the current backdrop of low interest rates, high inflation and low returns overall, the information it contains will be particularly valuable. The book is suitable for small investors in all markets and also covers personal pensions and property investments. Other areas covered include savings, health and education.
Within this easy-to-use, need-to-know, no-frills guide to building financial well-being is advice for long-term wealth creation and happiness, without all the worries and fuss of stock pickers and day traders.
Build Seven-Figure Financial Security without Ever Picking, Buying, or Selling A Single Stock! Most people think that you have to buy and sell the right stocks at the right time to make big money on Wall Street. In this enlightening, entertaining guide, veteran financial commentator Dr. Paul Farrell shows you how to grow a seven-figure nest egg without midnight jitters, time-consuming study, or paying a nickel in commissions to stockbrokers and others who get their piece of the pie by helping themselves to a chunk of yours. "Market timing is for chumps," says Dr. Farrell. "You want a portfolio that works without you having to sit through any schooling about what to buy, when to sell, how to mix and allocate, what to pay, where the heck the economy and the market are going." Now one book teaches you how to create and use that kind of portfolio-where the only excitement you get is from the millionaire's nest egg you collect in the end...
Here at last are the hard-to-find answers to the dizzying array of financial questions plaguing those who are age fifty and older. The financial world is more complex than ever, and people are struggling to make sense of it all. If you’re like most people moving into the phase of life where protecting—as well as growing-- assets is paramount, you’re faced with a number of financial puzzles. Maybe you’re struggling to get your kids through college without drawing down your life’s savings. Perhaps you sense your nest egg is at risk and want to move into safer investments. Maybe you’re contemplating downsizing to a smaller home, but aren’t sure of the financial implications. Possibly, medical expenses have become a bigger drain than you expected and you need help assessing options. Perhaps you’ll shortly be eligible for social security but want to optimize when and how to take it. Whatever your specific financial issue, one thing is certain—your range of choices is vast. As the financial world becomes increasingly complex, what you need is deeply researched advice from professionals whose credentials are impeccable and who prize clarity and straightforwardness over financial mumbo-jumbo. Carrie Schwab-Pomerantz and the Schwab team have been helping clients tackle their toughest money issues for decades. Through Carrie’s popular “Ask Carrie” columns, her leadership of the Charles Schwab Foundation, and her work across party lines through two White House administrations and with the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability, she has become one of America’s most trusted sources for financial advice. Here, Carrie will not only answer all the questions that keep you up at night, she’ll provide answers to many questions you haven’t considered but should.
You’re smart. So don’t be dumb about money. Pinpoint your biggest money blind spots and take control of your finances with these tools from CBS News Business Analyst and host of the nationally syndicated radio show Jill on Money, Jill Schlesinger. “A must-read . . . This straightforward and pleasingly opinionated book may persuade more of us to think about financial planning.”—Financial Times Hey you . . . you saw the title. You get the deal. You’re smart. You’ve made a few dollars. You’ve done what the financial books and websites tell you to do. So why isn’t it working? Maybe emotions and expectations are getting in the way of good sense—or you’re paying attention to the wrong people. If you’ve started counting your lattes, for god’s sake, just stop. Read this book instead. After decades of working as a Wall Street trader, investment adviser, and money expert for CBS News, Jill Schlesinger reveals thirteen costly mistakes you may be making right now with your money. Drawing on personal stories and a hefty dose of humor, Schlesinger argues that even the brightest people can behave like financial dumb-asses because of emotional blind spots. So if you’ve saved for college for your kids before saving for retirement, or you’ve avoided drafting a will, this is the book for you. By following Schlesinger’s rules about retirement, college financing, insurance, real estate, and more, you can save money and avoid countless sleepless nights. It could be the smartest investment you make all year. Praise for The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money “Common sense is not always common, especially when it comes to managing your money. Consider Jill Schlesinger’s book your guide to all the things you should know about money but were never taught. After reading it, you’ll be smarter, wiser, and maybe even wealthier.”—Chris Guillebeau, author of Side Hustle and The $100 Startup “A must-read, whether you’re digging yourself out of a financial hole or stacking up savings for the future, The Dumb Things Smart People Do with Their Money is a personal finance gold mine loaded with smart financial nuggets delivered in Schlesinger’s straight-talking, judgment-free style.”—Beth Kobliner, author of Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not) and Get a Financial Life
Unlike the "experts," Bigland has achieved real, tangible success over two-plus decades. He's also still in the trenches today, practicing the same strategies advocated in Along for the Ride. So he's a true expert and can speak with authority on what it takes to reach actual financial independence. In doing that, Bigland's not afraid to shatter both the myths and the egos of those who create them. His views may not make Along for the Ride popular among those with get rich quick schemes. Yet the book is certain to delight anyone in need of honest, actionable advice on becoming financially independent. For these readers, Bigland offers a simple, straightforward blueprint based on real estate and stock investing. On the real estate side, he advocates a strategy involving owning your principal residence and steadily acquiring rental properties. And, on the stock investing side, his approach focuses on dividend growth and index investing via low-cost ETFs. These two overall methods (real estate and stock investing) are used to create a reliable stream of passive income. Or, as both the book and Warren Buffet call it, "a snowball." With Along for the Ride,learn to do the following: cultivate the right mind-set for real estate investing overcome the trader's mentality make your first move in the world of real estate buy your first property invest in quality assets stop chasing small money build a support team go the extra mile in buying or selling have your money work for you Bigland shares the secrets of the stock market and shows you how to model your financial behavior on successful investors'. He also includes a question and answer section and a list of recommended resources. Bigland encourages you to take a step back and avoid quick responses to current events. Instead, outline your long-term financial goals and commit to a solid, steady strategy moving forward.
THE ULTIMATE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO TAKING CONTROL OF YOUR FINANCES INCLUDES FILLABLE SIMPLIFIED BUDGET SPREADSHEET AND OTHER ESSENTIAL DIGITAL ASSETS Are you tired of feeling stressed out and overwhelmed when you think about your finances? Have you gotten frustrated with personal finance advice from “experts” that doesn’t feel like it speaks to your unique financial situation? No matter where you are in your financial journey Personal Finance QuickStart Guidecovers everything you need to know to make a positive financial change in your life. At a time when 80% of US workers live paycheck to paycheck and as many as 40% of Americans can’t afford a surprise $400 expense it has never been more important to take control of your financial wellbeing. In Personal Finance QuickStart Guide author, podcaster, and financial advisor Morgen B. Rochard CFA, CFP®, RLP® pulls back the personal finance curtain to present personal finance wisdom that is so simple anyone can start putting it to use today. Morgen has distilled a career’s worth of experience in the financial world into an uncommonly helpful guide to the common money problems we all face. Filled with personal stories told in her straightforward and candid style, this book is the missing ingredient for anyone who wants to take control of their finances and live their most fulfilled life. It doesn’t matter where you are on your financial journey, how much experience you have, or how much money you have in the bank—you can make the financial changes needed to build the fulfilling life you deserve with the time-tested and proven personal finance wisdom enclosed in this book. Personal Finance QuickStart Guide Is Perfect For: - Millennials who feel like they never got a handle on their finances and want to catch up - Young adults who want to build a good financial foundation for the future - Working professionals who are thinking about retirement - Anyone looking to make a financial change in their life and build wealth Personal Finance QuickStart Guide Covers: - How to think about money and craft your own positive money mindset - Repairing your credit score to increase your buying power and provide more freedom in your life - The difference between good and bad debt and how to pay down and manage debt - Financial goal setting with actionable steps to accomplish your goals - How to prepare for retirement and secure your own financially independent future Personal Finance QuickStart Guide Will Teach You: - How to build a positive money mindset, analyze your own money habits, and secure your own financial freedom for good times and bad - How to effectively manage and pay down debt, the difference between good and bad debt, and how to raise your credit score (and keep it high) - How to translate your dreams into a financial reality without restrictive budgeting or beating yourself up over daily spending - The best way to prepare for major life events like home buying, weddings, and sending kids off to college - Yes, you need to invest—how to put your money to work for you without assuming a mountain of risk or learning complicated charts - How to prepare for retirement the smart way, what to do if you come into money, how to reduce your tax burden and more—your entire personal finance journey is in these pages! *LIFETIME ACCESS TO FREE PERSONAL FINANCE DIGITAL ASSETS* Easy to use Simplified Budget Spreadsheet - 1 Page Personal Finance Plan - Effective Goal Setting Workbook - Additional visual aids, infographics and more!
Score your highest in corporate finance The math, formulas, and problems associated with corporate finance can be daunting to the uninitiated. Corporate Finance For Dummies introduces you to the practices of determining an operating budget, calculating future cash flow, and scenario analysis in a friendly, un-intimidating way that makes comprehension easy. Corporate Finance For Dummies covers everything you'll encounter in a course on corporate finance, including accounting statements, cash flow, raising and managing capital, choosing investments; managing risk; determining dividends; mergers and acquisitions; and valuation. Serves as an excellent resource to supplement coursework related to corporate finance Gives you the tools and advice you need to understand corporate finance principles and strategies Provides information on the risks and rewards associated with corporate finance and lending With easy-to-understand explanations and examples, Corporate Finance For Dummies is a helpful study guide to accompany your coursework, explaining the tough stuff in a way you can understand.