If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, 3rd Edition [Paperback]

Al Thomas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 10, 2010

An easy-to-understand way to buy and sell no-load mutual funds. How to find funds that go up and when to sell funds that go down. Never lose money in the stock market. Very few buys and sells per year and only requiring about one hour per month of your time. Works for regular IRAs as well as 401Ks.

Editorial Reviews

Review

These are lessons too many people learn the hard way. Al will help investors learn to avoid major pitfalls. -- John Mauldin, Market Analyst

This is a book that is surprisingly useful. I recommend it to anybody who has an interest in the markets. -- Richard L. Russell, Dow Theory Letters, Inc.

This is the meat and potatoes of basic information. No guessing necessary. --Roger Arnold, Market Analyst / My Home Lender

"No book goes into a 3rd edition if it's not good"

"Al's got it covered when it comes to ferreting out the bad stuff and uncovering the good investments. His insider's perspective and down home easy to read and use delivery is rare and refreshing, especially during these days when Wall Street does its best to confuse everyone." --Dr. Joe Duarte, Financial Journalist, TV Personality and Author

About the Author

Al Thomas was an exchange member for 17 years and a floor trader. In 1984 he founded World Trading Group that became the 7th largest introducing commodity brokerage firm in the U.S. When it was sold in 1992 it had 35 branch offices.

He is a graduate of Northwestrn University Business School in Chicago and a member of Mensa.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Williamsburg Investment Co.; 3 Revised edition (October 10, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967155312
• ISBN-13: 978-0967155319
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (75 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #544,473 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A simple investment plan that really works, January 23, 2004

By 

R. Speizer "thebooktiger" (Reno, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Aside from the humor in the book this is perhaps the most interesting investment plan I have ever seen. It is aimed at the basic investor, not someone who has spent years studying the stock market. The simple straightforward language is easy to understand. By trading no-load, no-fee mutual funds following this method it is possible to grow your money. It also discusses when and how to move your money to safe havens when mutual funds are not a good choice.
There are also chapters on options, commodities, and gold, but they are short and the subjects are presented more for background information than anything. You could not trade those successfully from the information in the book. But if you have money in IRA's and 401K/403B's then this will show you how to maximize your investment

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Saved me six figures since August!, December 9, 2008

By 

Kevin S (Wayne PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

Buy this book TODAY! It saved me a fortune!
My father in law talked about this guy "Al Thomas" at all the holiday dinners. I never gave it any second thoughts. I should have. Long story short, my father in law dies, leaves his wife a nice portfolio and I get his book collection. While selling the books I came to "If it doesn't go up, don't buy it" by Al Thomas. It looked interesting especially in this market; it was around August 20, 2008. I was losing money since the beginning of the year so I decided to read it. I started reading and could not put it down until it was done. I followed his advice and ended up selling everything in my portfolio on August 28. Al Thomas saved me a little over six figures as of 12/5/2008 and I didn't even buy the book!
Now I know why my father in law was always in cash when the market tanked and I wasn't. DO NOT DELAY, BUY IT. The price of this book is nothing compared to what it will save you during this downturn and the next one and the one after that, ect.
This is my first book review; I felt I must spread the word about my personal "Warren Buffett". I cannot stress the importance of this book in my investment library; it stands alone at the top. I don't know why Al doesn't have his own TV show on CNBC but he should.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars the author: a crook, October 15, 2008

By 

sina - See all my reviews

This review is from: If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, 3rd Edition (Paperback)

The book is a mediocre. The author spent most time attacking others. The key things can be finished in 10 pages.

I also subscribed the author's "Over the shoulder". It turned out he gave conflicting info. For example, on 10/9/08, he advised to sell all the 401K if still holding because he thought market will still be down for 25-40%. The next day, 10/10/08, he sold his own bear funds because he estimated a rebounce of the market. He gave readers different advice other than he actually does.

I gave 3 stars because I still would like to test what is written in the book. With the time going on, the book may turn out to be a "look-back" and worth nothing.