The Unofficial Guide to Investing [Paperback]

Lynn O'Shaughnessy (Author)

Book Description

Series: Unofficial Guides | Publication Date: December 16, 1998

With the recent fluctuations in the market, people are becoming more aware of the need to become financially savvy. Yet financial fears still abound: fear of the market crashing, fear of making poor investment choices, fear of not being able to send their kids to college. The Unofficial Guide to Investing demystifies the range of investment options available today and provides practical tools that will help readers make financially sound decisions. For the financial bystander who is timid about investing and confused by the buzzwords, this book explains where to begin, how to start researching without feeling awkward, how to find your comfort zone, how to invest online, how to plan for retirement, and how to avoid getting burned. It goes beyond just comparing mutual funds to relieving the anxiety surrounding the issue of investing.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

With the recent fluctuations in the market, people are becoming more aware of the need to become fiancially savvy. Yet financial fears still abound: fear of the market crashing, fear of making poor investment choices, fear of not being able to send their kids to college.

From the Back Cover

The inside scoop…for when you want more than the official line! Today's investing choices are endless: Right now there are approximately 7,000 mutual funds clamoring for your attention—and that's nothing compared to the number of stocks and bonds out there. With so many options, you want to make sure your money is working for you. You want to choose the best investments for your budget, pick a financial advisor you can trust, and watch your portfolio grow. You want the inside scoop. The Unofficial Guide^™ to Investing gives savvy consumers like you a foolproof appraisal of everything you need to know, along with unbiased recommendations that are not influenced by any company, product, or organization. This book, like every Unofficial Guide,^™ is intensively inspected by the Unofficial Panel of Experts, a team of top financial pros. They ensure that you are armed with the most up-to-date insider information available and are told exactly what the Official establishment doesn't want you to know. Vital Information that other sources can't or won't reveal about who you can trust with your money. Insider Secrets from top investment experts who know how to succeed in the financial world. Money-Saving Techniques so you can find more money to invest. Time-Saving Tips for cutting through the hype when researching investments, finding top-notch financial planners, and maintaining a hassle-free portfolio. The Latest Trends on the hottest investments, including Internet investing, the index mutual fund craze, the new Roth IRAs, and debt consolidation. Handy Checklists and Charts for organizing your finances, testing your investing IQ, and more. Macmillan Lifestyle Guides

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (December 16, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0028624580
• ISBN-13: 978-0028624587
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.2 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,829,996 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent!, May 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Investing (Paperback)

Over the years, I've concluded that most financial books are unrealistic in the marching orders they give us, their poor readers. I'm a long-term investor (not a day trader!), so I don't appreciate a lot of fancy financial formulas that require a great deal of thought or time. Thank goodness the author of The Unofficial Guide to Investing understands that. She provides solid advice that makes an awful lot of sense to me. I also appreciate all the tips she sprinkles into the book's margins. For instance, I discovered how I could very easily determine how much my savings bonds are worth. I also learned the phone number to call to find out how much my Social Security benefits will be worth someday.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best book on investing we've seen., March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Investing (Paperback)

This book is engagingly written with wit & humor as well as lots of factual material and sound advice that you can actually use. Clear and straightforward for the novice, there is also lots of information and advice on on-line investing information and tools for the web-accessing sophisticated and savvy investor. Whether you are a novice or an experienced investor, Ms. O'Shaughnessy serves you up lots of good advice and information with respect and gentle humor. A good read, and a keeper for later reference with wonderful resource and reference material as a supplement at the back. - A San Diego cardiologist

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not Your Father's Impenatrable Guide to Investing, February 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Unofficial Guide to Investing (Paperback)

This book was written for me! I'm sometimes intimidated and mystified by the arcane language and imperious attitude of brokers and other people I've turned to for help with my investment decisions. And most of the books out there seem to be written for graduate students at the Wharton School of Business. But this is a book I can relate to. At times, I even catch myself laughing out loud. In Chapter 6, for example, O'Shaughnessy describes her first visit to the hallowed inner sanctum of a mutual fund. (Aren't we all a little curious about what that's like?) She asks herself: "Would I meet men and women with such advanced analytical and mathematical capabilities that scientists someday would want to preserve their brains in formaldehyde?" NOT! O'Shaughnessy has an innate ability to explain investment principles in ways that are easy to understand. She's got me believing that I don't have to be a financial wiz to make sound investment decisions.