{"product_id":"investing-101-isbn-9781576603079","title":"Investing 101","description":"People wanting basic advice about stocks, bonds, mutual funds, retirement planning, and tax strategies are often frustrated by information overload. Picking the right book seems as daunting as deciding what to do with their savings and investments.  \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eInvesting 101: Updated and Expanded\u003c\/i\u003e removes both roadblocks, putting people on a path that they can understand and stick with. Kristof is renowned for taking the mystery and anxiety out of investing by keeping choices manageable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKristof walks readers through the entire investment cycle and the way they think of their financial lives, rather than presenting stand-alone concepts like stocks and real estate. This expanded edition has new information about 529 college savings plans, annuities, Roth IRAs, reverse mortgages, and why declining markets can be good for you. It includes a cautionary look at home mortgages as investments. There's even a portfolio for the lazy investor.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKristof's loyal readership and the success of this book's first edition demonstrate that she understands what's on the minds of investors as intimately as she knows what’s happening in financial markets.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWinner: Cover and Interior Design, The Bookbinders Guild of New York\/2009 New York Book Show Awards\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Introduction xi\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e1 Fixing Money Problems 2\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Finding and fixing the psychological ills that keep us from investing wisely.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e2 Risk and Reward 16\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The basics about how taking a few risks can reap long-term benefits.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e3 The Starting Point 30\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e How to allocate your assets based on your goals.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e4 Diversification 54\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Dividing your assets among different investment categories is easier when you think about what different types of investments can do for you, rather than what they are. When you boil things down that way, there are just five investment categories, each of which offers an array of specific investments. Here are the categories and the choices within them.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e5 Picking Individual Stocks 86\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Using fundamental indicators of value to pick good stocks.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e6 Tough Sell 108\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e How to figure out when it's time to call it quits with an investment.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e7 Investing in Bonds 118\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Where to put bonds in your portfolio and which bonds to choose.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e8 Mutual Funds 126\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e A primer on mutual funds, from what they are to where to find one that suits your needs.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e9 Socially Responsible Investing 150\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e What socially responsible investing is about and how to find socially conscious mutual funds.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e10 Real Estate Investment Trusts 156\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e REITs allow individuals to invest in commercial real estate to diversify their portfolio and stabilize investment returns.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e11 International Investing 162\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The basics on investing outside of the United States.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e12 Tax-Favored Investing 172\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Uncle Sam gives Americans lots of ways to defer taxes while we save. Using these tax-favored vehicles can give your portfolio a boost. Here are your choices and what they can do for you.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e13 Starting Small 190\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Think you can't invest because you don't have a pile of cash to start? Never fear. There are several choices for people with as little as $20 or $25 a month.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e14 The Lazy Investor's Portfolio Planner 198\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The quintessential hands-off portfolio for the wise investor with very little time on his hands. You can do well quickly and easily with only a few hours a year.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e15 How to Fix Your Broken Records 218\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Record keeping is one of the most important—and widely ignored—steps in wise investing. But good records can help you monitor your portfolio and help you determine when to buy and sell. They can also save you a small fortune in taxes.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e16 Getting Help 224\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Read it all, but still don't want to go it alone? Here’s a quick guide on how to hire someone to help you.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGlossary 234\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Definitions for commonly used jargon so you can interpret Wall Street speak.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eIndex 237\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWorksheet Reference\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eMonthly Budget 6\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRisk Quiz: How Much Risk Can You Take? 23\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCollege Cost Calculator 48\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIs It a Buy 93\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCalculating the Tax Implications of Selling Too Soon 116\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003ePicking a Fund That Suits You 143\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetermining What You Have.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eCash 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eIncome Investments 201\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eGrowth Investments 203\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eReal Estate 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eDebt 204\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eKeeping Tabs on Your Investments 221\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cb\u003ePraise for the first edition:\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\"\u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e by Kathy Kristof is a reader-friendly introduction to the basics of investing and personal finance. . . . If I had to suggest a book on investing and personal finance to an absolute beginner, it would be \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e.\" (\u003ci\u003eBookPage\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"… [an] excellent primer about investing. Investors will get a clearer idea of how markets work and what you can realistically expect from your retirement funds.\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Kristof's down-to-earth style and clear prose gives her writing a decidedly user-friendly quality. . . . The vast majority of us worker drones who haven't yet made complete sense of things will find \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e an easy way to get started.\" (\u003ci\u003eMiami Herald\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Not only is this book more simple and straightforward than the typical book on investing, it's also more humorous and personal.\" (\u003ci\u003eToday's Librarian\u003c\/i\u003e)\u003c\/p\u003e  \u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e business writer Kathy Kristof is nationally known for her weekly syndicated personal finance column, which reaches forty million readers online and in more than fifty major newspapers. She is a sought-after lecturer at investment conferences and appears regularly on radio and television.    \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"An excellent primer about investing\" —\u003ci\u003eThe Boston Globe\u003c\/i\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePractical Investment Advice from a Trusted Voice in Personal Finance\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"In \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e, Kathy Kristof skillfully guides the novice investor, step-by-step, along the path to investment success. It's an ideal primer for anyone who wants to enter the financial world and would like a helping hand.\" \u003cb\u003e—Myron Kandel\u003c\/b\u003e, Founding Financial Editor, CNN  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\"The vast majority of us worker drones who haven't yet made complete sense of things will find Investing 101 an easy way to get started.\" \u003cb\u003e—Miami Herald\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the newly updated and expanded edition of \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e, Kathy Kristof shatters the myth that investing is impossible for the average person to do successfully. \"Investing doesn't have to be difficult or nerve-racking,\" Kristof maintains. \"In fact, wise investing is simple. Ask yourself this question: Will I have the amount of money I need when I need it with my present investment strategy? If the answer is yes, you're doing it right. If the answer is no, you need to change something. It is that simple.\"  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith the most up-to-date material on 529 college savings plans, Roth IRAs, reverse mortgages, and why even bad markets can be good for you, Kristof carefully explains how to invest safely and successfully. She even provides a \"Lazy Investor's Portfolio Planner\" for those who don't want to spend more than a few hours a year managing their investments. This book is for anyone who needs simple, straightforward advice on how to start investing wisely.   \"\u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e is a sensible, well-written, and comprehensive guide to investor options. I learned much from this book and am certain you can too.\"\u003cbr\u003e —\u003cb\u003eStephen Brobeck\u003c\/b\u003e, Executive Director, Consumer Federation of America  \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePraise for the first edition:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"In \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e, Kathy Kristof skillfully guides the novice investor, step-by-step, along the path to investment success. It's an ideal primer for anyone who wants to enter the financial world and would like a helping hand.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003eMyron Kandel\u003c\/b\u003e, Founding Financial Editor, CNN\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Too many of us give too little thought to the underpinnings of investing: how much risk to shoulder, when to sell, etc. Kathy Kristof explains these basics in language we all can understand. \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e is sure to become a great reference guide for novices and longtime investors alike.\"\u003cbr\u003e \u003cb\u003e—Steve Dinnen\u003c\/b\u003e, Personal Finance Columnist, \u003ci\u003eThe Des Moines Register\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"Kathy Kristof knows investing inside and out. She can take even the most complicated information and make it easy to understand—and entertaining.\"\u003cbr\u003e —\u003cb\u003eIlyce R. Glink\u003c\/b\u003e, National Syndicated Columnist, Author of \u003ci\u003e100 Questions You Should Ask about Your Personal Finances\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\"If you're just getting started in the investing world, this is the book you need. Kathy Kristof's smart, sensible advice demystifies the markets and shows you exactly what you need to know to achieve your financial goals. \u003ci\u003eInvesting 101\u003c\/i\u003e offers a road map to financial success without gimmicks or secret formulas—and it's a whole lot of fun to read, besides.\"\u003cbr\u003e —\u003cb\u003eLiz Pulliam Weston\u003c\/b\u003e, Personal Finance Columnist, \u003ci\u003eLos Angeles Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloomberg Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47989472887013,"sku":"NP9781576603079","price":18.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781576603079.jpg?v=1761784242","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/investing-101-isbn-9781576603079","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}