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The Complete Guide to Investing in Index Funds -- How to Earn High Rates of Return Safely

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This book presents index funds in a pretty basic manner. I was not familiar at all with index funds, and when I started reading the book it was pretty heavy to absorb. As I continued to read, I found that it made a lot of sense. Now I feel I have a good overview of what index funds are and how they work. More importantly, I have an understanding of how these funds can work for me and help me in saving for retirement.
During recent months I have taken a strong interest (due to our current amazing economy) in my financial situation, and was looking for a way to not fret so much about my investments and hard earned money. Most of the books I have picked up are too complicated and contain what appears to be occupational jargon that made no sense to me. After so many disappointing reads, I was hesitant to even look into index funds, which I knew pretty much nothing about. I stumbled upon this book, and took the chance that it might offer something to me. Turns out it has been the most informative financial book I have read in years. I recommend this book for anyone looking to take hold of their own financial future with understanding. It's a great start, not just for index funds, but to get a better general view of all forms of investments.

Let's say you inherited or won $100,000.00 in the lottery. You might be inclined to invest the money in the stock market, in the hope that you could turn your $100,000 into $1,000,000 or maybe even more. Some people, money in pocket, would go straight to their local stockbroker, in this book known as a stock picker. Some, with a gambling mentality, would choose to invest the money themselves, spending endless hours in front of the computer looking for the best stock to sink their money into. But whoa ... before you begin investing in stocks you feel good about, and before choosing a stock picker who may not know much more than you, you might want to check out index funds.

Through my 403b, I've been invested in the market for years ... but I have to admit I didn't know the difference between an index fund and a mutual fund. So this book is a Godsend for somebody like me who is somewhat ignorant about the stock market and too busy (or not interested enough) to spend the necessary time to become my own stock manager. Every night at 10:00 pm sharp my husband heads to the den to watch Jim Cramer's Mad Money. Cramer's Stay Mad for Life and Mad Money are the only two books he has ever cared enough about to order. Sometimes he asks me to come in and watch with him, but I have to tell you that while I find Cramer's antics very entertaining, I just don't get excited about it the way my husband does. Money and making money is his passion.

In Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life, he tells us that "My standing rule is that in order to do well, you absolutely must spend at least one hour a week doing homework on each stock you own, in addition to doing a lot of research before you buy." Now, depending on how many stocks you own, that could add up to a pile of time, time I'd rather spend doing other things. Which brings us back to The Complete Guide to Investing in Index Funds, a book for people like me. Mr. Baird explains how index-fund investing makes things easier for investors, opening up the doors for millions of people to find the financial solutions they are looking for, and helping them realize that the goal should not be to beat the market but to replicate it.

With simple explanations of index funds, benchmarking, mutual funds, international investing, commodities, and risk tolerance, Mr. Baird gives us all the tools we need to put together a portfolio which will stand the test of time and help us meet all our financial goals. With the knowledge you will gain by reading this book, you'll be able to invest your money well, with low risk and high rewards. So go ahead, read this book ... and you'll be ready no matter what surprises come your way.

"Index Funds" are the way to go if you are going to invest in the stock market according to Baird. If you are a novice when it comes to investing or someone who needs to brush up on investing options, this book is the one to help you decide in which direction is your best option.

The book is an easy read with many explanations. The table of contents is very detailed, allowing the reader to find specific sections for easy referral at a later time if needed. Baird starts out in the preface by letting the reader know where he got all of his experience.

The author also gives an interesting, yet understandable history of the stock market. He refers to several people who have had an influence on the industry on how things are done today. He includes a detailed Appendix with the acronyms of the industry, resources of where to find extra help, internet resources, and a detailed list of all the companies that are our there to help people put their investment portfolios together.

The author is constantly reminding the reader that the stock market is not for the faint at heart. He stresses that investing is something that needs to be planned and needs to be very well managed, either by the individual or by someone that the individual might hire to help them on the road to investing.

I found the information to be very valuable and understandable - very user friendly.

With the instability of the stock market (as we all know from last year), investing seems to be a very risky business. "The Complete Guide to Investing in Index Funds (How to Earn High Rates Safely)" by Craig W. Baird offers an alternative method of investing with low risk and high rewards.

As someone without any knowledge of investing whatsoever, the book was easy to understand even for a layman like me. Baird supplies step-by-step directions that are perfect if you're trying to develop your own investment portfolio or even if you're looking to rework your existing portfolio.

The main point that struck me was Baird stating that it's all about `replicating' the market through investing in index funds and not `gambling' away your money in the stock market. Baird provides an in-depth history of index funds which really didn't interest me as a layperson, but I'm sure this information would provide insight for serious investors.

With a plethora of definitions and sound advice, if you've ever wondered about investing in index funds, The Complete Guide to Investing in Index Funds (How to Earn High Rates Safely) by Craig W. Baird is the book for you.

The Complete Guide to Investing In Index Funds explains how to take the game of chance out of investing and puts the reader's mind at ease by arming him or her with knowledge. In a conversational tone that is absent of hard-to-understand jargon, the book explains index funds, the different types, their history and their value to the current or aspiring investor. Plus, the publication provides the step-by-step process for opening and managing an index fund account.

Craig W. Baird provides extensive research and evidence to show why index funds are a lower-risk alternative to investing blindly in the stock market. He notes that the investor may achieve less return but that he or she will not be risking such a great loss either. After such unstable economic times over the past few years, The Complete Guide to Investing In Index Funds is a must-read for anyone considering investing or revamping his or her portfolio.

This volume contains a plethora of pertinent
information on index funds. The wealth of the
United States may be determined by reference
to these funds.

Classic indexed funds are the Dow Jones, S & P 500,
bond indices and mortgage-backed securities.
Inverse index funds actually short the stock market.
If you expect a huge drop in the Dow, then consider
buying an inverse index fund.

Asset allocation funds consist of stocks, bonds and
other classes of assets. For investors interested
in dividend reinvestment, the Morningshare Dividend
Leaders Index may be extremely helpful. [...]
has a risk tolerance questionnaire to assist investors
make decisions based upon well known factors.

Acquire this book to help assemble or rebalance your
portfolio.