Straight Talk on Investing: What You Need to Know

In Straight Talk on Investing, Jack Brennan cuts to the chase and provides readers with sound advice and solid guidance to investing for today and tomorrow, in a bull market or bear market. Starting with a clear explanation of the financial facts of life, Brennan explains that investing is a lot easier than most people think. He shows readers how to develop a financial plan, construct and manage a sensible investment program, and maintain perspective in a sometimes crazy world.

Refreshing in its simplicity and honesty, Straight Talk on Investing is a badly needed tonic to the hangover of the bull market of the 1990s. Filled with meaningful guidance for investors from a leading investment luminary, this invaluable resource will help readers make better investment decisions and restore financial faith in themselves, so they can confidently navigate the markets toward their financial goals.

Introduction:

Successful investing is not that difficult. It’s just intimidating. Some people assume that you have to be rich or possess an important-sounding degree to accumulate wealth as an investor. They think you have to be able to understand all the topics covered in The Wall Street Journal—the ups and downs of the stock market, the interest-rate decisions of the Federal Reserve Board, corporate earnings announcements and dividend policies, economic indicators, and so forth. It’s true that all of those things have meaning, but you don’t have to follow them closely to invest well. Investing really is easier than most people think.

The purpose of this book is to give you the understanding you need to accomplish your financial goals through investing. Over the past 20 years, I’ve talked to tens of thousands of successful investors. They come from all backgrounds and all stages of life. Some are young; others are old. Some are experienced; others are beginners. Some have advanced degrees, while others never went to college.

Despite their differences, all the successful investors I’ve met share several traits, beginning with a very important one: They invest with confidence. Confident investors are people who make decisions based on their own personal financial situations, goals, and ability and willingness to take risks. They don’t spend their lives haunted by the thought that somewhere out there is a get-rich scheme or investment gimmick that will lead them to a pot of gold.

Contents:

• Chapter 1: Successful Investing Is Easier Than You Think
• Chapter 2: You’ve Gotta Have Trust
• Chapter 3: A Map to Success: Hmmm, Sounds Like a Plan
• Chapter 4: Save More—Without Feeling the Pinch
• Chapter 5: Hope for the Best—But Prepare for Something Less
• Chapter 6: Balance and Diversification Help You Sleep at Night
• Chapter 7: You Need a Personal Investment Policy Whether You Start with Zillions or Zip
• Chapter 8: Mutual Funds: The Easy Way to Diversify
• Chapter 9: How to Pick a Mutual Fund (And How Not To)
• Chapter 10: It’s What You Keep That Counts
• Chapter 11: Risk: Give It the Gut Test
• Chapter 12: Keep Things Simple
• Chapter 13: Buy and Hold Really Works
• Chapter 14: Making Money Is What Matters
• Chapter 15: Time Is Everything
• Chapter 16: Give Your Portfolio an Occasional Tune-Up
• Chapter 17: Stupid Math Tricks for Smart Investors
• Chapter 18: “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”
• Chapter 19: Why You May Be Your Own Worst Enemy
• Chapter 20: Bear Markets Will Test Your Resolve
• Chapter 21: “Ain’t Got No Distractions, Can’t Hear Those Buzzers and Bells”
• Chapter 22: Regrets? I’ve Had a Few

Straight Talk on Investing: What You Need to Know By Jack Brennan pdf