Customer Reviews

The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds: How to Earn High Rates of Returns - Safely

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The idea of investing in bonds can be intimidating, but The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds: How to Earn High Rates of Return - Safely, works to assure the reader by providing a simple and easy read. The author, Martha Maeda, breaks down even the most difficult terminology into a free flowing and enjoyable read.

The first section of the book is all about every type of bond, the history of bonds and how to buy and sell bonds. It is full of helpful charts, tips, case studies and advice, which makes the daunting task of investing seem much less threatening for someone with little knowledge of investments. The history chapter at the beginning of the book is the key to understanding what bonds are all about and how they have affected our country's economic status then and now. Section two begins with a questionnaire to help create and determine what strategy is right for you. It also assists in assessing the risks involved with what types of bonds you are going to purchase and what you can expect to get in return. The last part of the book covers useful resources to help you on your financial journey, including how to do research and how to create and maintain a portfolio. Additionally, the author has listed many websites as well as a glossary for all common financial terms. This book is the complete guide, as it covers everything one would need to know about the world of investments.

Martha Maeda is an economic historian with special interests in micro-economics and in the effects of globalization on the lives of people and businesses all over the world. . In this 338 page book, she successfully captured the concerns of a novice investor who may be interested in investing in bonds and has no idea where or how to start. The book is written in 2 sections which make it a useful resource tool for the novice and the expert alike. The novice investor may want to start from section 1 which covers the types of bonds that are available, how to calculate yield and how to plan your investment strategy. history of bonds and bonds investing. Section 2 deals with creating your investment strategy.
After reading this book, a new investor will have adequate information on what bonds mean, this information is written in clear and simple language. It is certainly not the type of investment book that puts you to sleep. It is the book you will enjoy reading and making lots of small notes in the margins. You will find yourself nodding in agreement and in understanding.
I particularly enjoyed the "TIP" section of the book which serves as nuggets of information and draws your attention to very important points you may have missed while reading. For instance, the TIP on zero coupon bonds being reported annually to the IRS, even if it is not being received annually. This will save you a lot of trouble with the IRS. I also liked the information on being careful and responsible for your own investments. She provided a TIP to illustrate this point with Enron's bonds that were rated as investment grade by both Standard and Poor's and Moody's until four days before it declared bankruptcy.
I recommend this book because the wealth of information it provides is timely for the economic situation we are currently in. Reading this book will empower would-be investors with the right kind of knowledge they may require before investing. Investors who also choose to employ a bank or financial adviser, will know the right kind of questions to ask.

I rate this book as a 4 star.

Savings bonds are generally a dependable, safe way to invest your money, especially in today's tough economic climate. Martha Maeda's book, "The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds" is just as its title suggests: complete.

Maeda gives a thorough explanation of how to invest your money in a savings bond depending on your current needs. Savings bonds can be versatile, from high-risk "junk bonds" to low-risk bonds from the U.S. Government, Maeda explains how a savings bond can be a useful addition to a stock portfolio or a way for the everyday person to put some money toward their future.

Knowing nothing about bonds or bond investing before reading this book, I was introduced, at first, to a whole lexicon of jargon that I didn't understand. With Maeda's help, I was able to sort through that, learning about "fallen angels" and "sinking funds" and what they mean for investors.

Whether you are an adept stock broker or a first-time investor, Maeda's advice will teach you what type of investor you are and what types of bonds are right for you. The book was user-friendly with a concise table of contents and a glossary at the end for readers to reference any time they come across terminology they do not understand. Maeda's book is to-the-point, giving investors confidence in savings bonds.

We all have those U.S. savings bonds floating around in dresser drawers and safe deposit boxes, but many of us have no idea that increasing our investments in bonds could help diversify and stabilize our investment portfolios, especially during the current recession.

Martha Madea's book helps make branching out into bonds investment easy, thanks to her focus on providing a practical, pragmatic guide for the everyday investor. The book is neatly divided into short, manageable chapters, with helpful hints highlighted in the text that help even the newest investor make sense of bonds and the best way to invest in them.

Madea covers everything from the history of this form of investment to the different types of bonds and the risks associated with them, in an excellent guide for investing during the recession. Bonds are relatively safe investments compared to real estate or the stock market, and if you're looking to diversify your investments, I highly recommend checking out this book!

The timing of Martha Maeda's book Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds is impeccable. Many investors are re-evaluating their portfolios, looking to create a more stable, reliable, and safer investment income. Bonds have never looked more attractive, and with this book have never seemed more accessible. Maeda has written a comprehensive primer on the subject that is not only detailed and informative, but practical. Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds is an easy read for the novice investor, including clear chapter headlines, a glossary, and highlighted helpful tips throughout the book. For the more sophisticated investor, Maeda offers up-to-date details on the importance of bonds given today's specific market, a fascinating section on the history of bonds, and an extensive resource section. If you were to only buy one book about bonds, Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds should definitely be the one.

The Complete Guide to Investing in Bonds and Bond Funds: How to Earn High Rates of Return - Safely by Martha Maeda provides the reader with complete information on how to invest in bonds to anyone with any interest in investing. In Chapter 1, Maeda begins by providing a quick, interesting history about bonds and their inception in the United States. She then transitions to outlining the different types of bonds and their pros and cons. After doing so, Maeda guides the reader through the process of making an investment plan and deciding which bonds to invest in by using a detailed list of questions for the reader to answer.

This book is written to be easily read by anyone. Maeda includes many outlined tips meant to catch the reader's eye, providing quick, useful information. The writing is clear and simple and is free of unnecessary financial jargon. Although at times the terms may get to be a bit much, Maeda provides a useful appendix that lists definitions for any terms that the reader may not be familiar with. This book is an excellent resource for people who want to invest their money but who are too busy or wary of the more volatile stock market or for those who simply want to expand their portfolios.

Investing in the Bond Market requires a bit of education in advance in order to make the best financial decisions that will bring the greatest rewards in the long term. As this book helps the reader sort through the various options available through Savings Bonds and Bond Funds, the reader is encouraged to determine the best fit for their investment needs and strategies.

Delving into the history of governmental savings bonds also helps the reader understand the difference between the Bond Market and other investment opportunities such as Individual Retirement Accounts. There are advantages to doing both, but the Bond Market offers less of a risk than other options available.

The reader is instructed not to buy what they do not understand; excellent advice for any potential investor. Through the glossary, a list of helpful websites, a list of governing agencies as well as professional agencies that offer assistance in investment strategies, as well as helpful charts that explain the ladder of maturity offered on bonds, this book will serve as a great resource over time to those who choose to invest in this manner.