Summer $ Reading

Many newspapers and magazines offer book lists for light, summer reading.

As you know, if you want to learn something, read.
Read books. Read magazines. Read websites.

Perhaps reading about money and investing is not considered light reading but when you are determined to care for your money and make it work for you, it is essential reading.

Here are a few books to consider:

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing
by John Bogle, the father of index investing.
Mr. Bogle, also the founder of Vanguard, offers timeless and sensible advice.

A Random Walk Down Wall Street
by Burton Malkiel, helps you understand the workings of Wall Street.

The Investment Answer
by Daniel Goldie and Gordon Murray, give easy to understand investment knowledge.

The Little Book of Main Street Money
by Jonathan Clements (often seen on PBS) provides good, basic financial advice.

One book I suggest for widows or newly divorced is
On Your Own: A Widow's Passage to Emotional and Financial Well-Being
by Alexandra Armstrong and Mary Donahue, offers easy-to-follow advice with step-by-step guidance.

If tackling a book is too heavy for your summer schedule pick-up a financial magazine like MONEY, Kiplingers or FORBES. Read it all - read the ads, the comments, the table of contents, the articles, cover to cover. The more you read the more familiar you become with the terms and the language of finance. The better you understand the language, the less intimidated you feel.

Be $ Smart - Build your confidence. Grow your assets. Learn about investing. Your future is yours to create.

Becoming a Better Investor

Achieving financial freedom or financial independence is a worthwhile goal to pursue at any age. Life can be more enjoyable and less stressful when you have enough money to live the life you want.
I have learned I can only work so many hours each day, each week. Realizing that, I must put my money to work by investing.

Over the next few weeks I will give tips on investing. Actually, last week's $ Tip discussed the services offered by a Full Service Broker vs a Discount Broker, was a good start.

Education is the key. I offer four suggestions. Pick one or two to raise your understanding and commitment to investing:
1. Take a class. Most adult education programs at your local high school or college offer a class on personal investing. Take a friend. Learn together. Go out after the class and discuss what you learned and what you can implement.

2. Read. Join AAII, the American Association of Individual Investors.
The cost is $29 per year. They are dedicated to people like you who are learning about investing. They offer a monthly publication filled with good, basic information. Also, they offer chapter meetings where you can meet others interested in investing. Go to www.aaii.com.

3. Read more. Buy one, yes one, money/investing magazine. Read it cover to cover, even the ads. Here you are familiarizing yourself with a new vocabulary. The more you see and read the words, the sooner you will understand their meaning. You don't really need a year's subscription until you find one magazine you enjoy and understand. Or, regularly read the Business Section of your newspaper.

4. Find a "money buddy". Doing things with another person is always more fun. Just as Weight Watchers encourages buddies and exercise routines suggest partners, you know you are more likely to stick to your financial goals and learn more if you have a buddy.

Be $ smart - learn investing to build wealth and financial independence.