Smart Guide to Making Wise Investments (The Smart Guides Series) [Paperback]

Gordon K. Williamson (Author)

Book Description

Series: The Smart Guides Series | Publication Date: October 1, 1998

• Smart Ways to develop confidence in investing-ideal for anyone feeling uneasy or nervous about putting hard-earned money at risk
• Smart Advice on buying and selling, using a broker, and developing and tracking a portfolio
• Smart Tips on how to make college savings, tax-free investments, and retirement plans work for you
• Smart Ways to develop a sensible investment plan NOW to maximize savings and to minimize the financial demands of later years
• Smart Advice on setting your financial goals, understanding the different investment choices and their risks, diversifying a portfolio, and maintaining a patient, long-term outlook
• Smart Strategies to avoid the eight common investment mistakes, such as spending too quickly, investing too conservatively, and over-reacting to market fluctuations
• Smart Tips on financing a college education, consulting financial professionals, tracking investments via the Internet, and planning for a comfortable retirement
• Quick reading and easy referencing with a comprehensive index and loads of sidebars and tables

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

If you're like many in the baby-boom generation, retirement is just now starting to loom on the horizon, as is the prospect of sending your kids to college. If you've never put together an investment plan for yourself or your family, then the Smart Guide to Making Wise Investments may be a good start. Written by Gordon K. Williamson, an attorney and financial planner, this book provides a good overview of the many investment avenues available, from mutual funds and stocks to annuities and real estate. Williamson looks at the financial mistakes that many tend to make (such as buying a new car every few years and investing too conservatively) and explodes common myths about retirement (guess what--most of us will be living and working longer than we think). The book's final chapter shows how to build a financial plan and evaluate your own tolerance for risk. --Harry C. Edwards

From Library Journal

These tapes, both read by Suzanne Ford, complement each other very well in giving the listener a clear and concise introduction to money management and personal investing. The Glossbrenners' discussion of personal finance consists of budgeting, banking, saving, credit ratings, home buying, principles of investing, and finding a broker. Terminology relating to personal investing is defined and presented in an easy-to-understand manner. Williamson provides tips on stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and cash, showing how one can use them for college, home ownership, retirement, and other goals. Portfolio management, how the various investments work, and the pros and cons of various types of investments are also examined. Ford's pleasant voice makes listening to the wealth of information contained herein a pleasure.ASteven J. Mayover, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471296082
• ISBN-13: 978-0471296089
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,561,691 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A basic book for understanding Investing, January 25, 2008

By 

J. FERRARA "Jay" (Mount Pocono, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smart Guide to Making Wise Investments (The Smart Guides Series) (Paperback)

This book is a basic look at investing money in certain types of vehicles written in1998 which is still current 10 years later. While there are more advance books that give you actual techniques on what to look for, this book gives you the basics on understanding investments. This is a recommended starting place on this subject. It is easy and quick to read.

From the start, Mr. Williamson explains why you should invest your money and some of its myths. He also explains the risks. This sound advice on the stock market, risk, and bonds will help you make you to make the right decisions on which one is best for you.

The other sections describe simply about the vehicles such as:

1. Bonds and the how they are handled and traded
2. Trading stock and what types of them are out there and how to get them. The computer has made this easier.
3. Investing in Mutual Funds where he goes over the basics and the types.
4. Investing in annuities and why they are important.
5. Buying Real Estate and REIT (Real Estate Investment Trusts) where he explains why REIT pay higher dividends and usually safer.

These are the primary types of investments you will encounter on you journey to wealth.

The final section gives you a financial plan where Mr. Williamson gives you practical advice to start planning your investments and what methodology he uses. This helps the beginner greatly because it gets them started on the road to investing. He gives a detailed picture of what investments you should have at which particular time and how much of your investing dollars should go where.

Let be known, that this book is for the beginner who wants general knowledge on these subjects, they are not 100% complete. There are other books that do go into more detail and will help you make a better and sound decision on investing (see my other reviews), which I recommend for you to read.

Before investing however, please note you have to educate yourself, find your risk tolerance and be somewhat financially sound.

Thanks and enjoy.

4.0 out of 5 stars Pointers to review, June 4, 2009

By 

Maria Rivera-deleon "Fact_Finder" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Smart Guide to Making Wise Investments (The Smart Guides Series) (Paperback)

This book is great for beginners. It pretty much touched the general ideas on investing. I would recommend it for starters. Very informative although in its general sense. I had this a long time ago but still go back to refresh me from time to time.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GASP, I UNDERSTAND IT NOW!!, January 30, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Smart Guide to Making Wise Investments (The Smart Guides Series) (Paperback)

This book is brillant. Absorbing accurate, brief and clear paragraphs was a joy. In the margins there are money-making/ money-saving tips. It follows much easier than certain "for Dummies" claim. BUY THIS BOOK. You'll be happy with what you, too, have learned!