Common Sense Investing: Ten Simple Rules to Finance Your Dreams, or Create a Roadmap to Achieve Financial Independence by Investing in Mutual Funds ... Plan

by Rick Van Ness

Learn basic financial concepts to make it more likely that you'll achieve common life goals such as owning a home, providing for yourself or your family, taking fun vacations, and retiring in comfort—all free from financial stress. The 108-page book (17,000 words and 52 pictures) teaches beginners learn how to invest money for both short- and long-term goals. Topics The ten rules to successful investing, How to write a personal investment plan, How to diversify your investments, How to know a good mutual fund, How to be a tax-savvy investor. Learn the basics that everyone needs to know about investment products like stock, bonds, and mutual funds, and the containers that hold those products, like IRAs, 401(k), Roth IRA, and taxable accounts. Learn why Warren Buffett, John C. Bogle, and most professional investors recommend that 99% of investors should use low-cost mutual funds called index funds. Learn what they are, what this means, and why they win. John C. Bogle, founder and former chairman of The Vanguard Group, is hailed by many as the champion of common sense investing. His huge following endearingly call themselves “Bogleheads” in perhaps the most popular personal investment forum and wiki site at bogleheads.org. “Common Sense Investing captures the core elements of the Bogleheads investment philosophy in terms any investor can easily understand and implement. Read it and reap!” writes Forbes columnist, Mel Lindauer—also one of the original Boglehead founders. Many of the tips include examples of how people put the important concepts into practice. Instructional appendixes numerous links to free online videos, recommended books, help forums, and other resources. Take charge of your finances, ignore Wall Street chatter, and get on with your life. By understanding and following some simple rules, you can make some of your dreams come true. Author Rick Van Ness is a very successful private investor who provides investor education through online videos, short books, and workshops. He has both an engineering degree from Cornell University and a MBA in Finance from New York University.

Genres: Finance, Economics, Personal Finance, Nonfiction, Business

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2011

Reviews

[Jay Montgomery · Rating 4 out of 5]

Common Sense unusually rare

This is a fairly short read but packed with great information and philosophy. I was reviewing it prior to purchasing for my late teens. It's an excellent financial starter.

It also provides good information for those on the savings journey. I for the reminder of cutting out the financial noise particularly helpful and timely.

[Brice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great place to start

For me, this was mostly review, but if I was going to recommend a book to someone I knew that didn’t know anything about investing or saving, I would give him/her this.

[Brandon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple but good review of basic investment strategies and pitfalls to avoid.

[Jordan Resnick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple, comprehensive introduction to investing for novices like myself.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, I am biased because Rick wrote this book and I helped edit it, but in the process I learned a lot about investing, why you should invest early and regularly, why and how to balance your portfolio between stocks and bonds, how to look for fees, think about taxes and more! The book is written in a casual, easy to read style with short chapters that you can digest one at a time. I feel much smarter about this type of information now and can read those financial columns that give advice with much more expertise. If you don't want to read it, you can watch Rick's videos on www.financinglife.com, but I find it easier to hold on to the information now that I've read it (and especially since I've read it more than once!)

I would recommend this book to anyone is is ready to start investing or who wants to understand how to invest.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book for free through goodreads first reads. This was interesting and had a lot of advice for investing: The dos and the don'ts. I think some of it was good advice, but that other parts were unrealistic in regards to average every day people. Most people live paycheck to paycheck, if they can make it that far. While saving and investing is a good idea and helps in the long run, a lot of people can not afford to even think about that right now. Aside from that oversight, i found the book interesting and helpful. When and if I have money too invest, I will definitely go back to it.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Being a young adult I really enjoyed reading this book. It was very easy to read and understand. I learn that investing is an easy process and I'm going to start right away. Thank you Rick for the helpful knowledge!

[Katharine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy to understand practical advice for people like me who need to save and invest for the future but are too busy now to read ALL the endless complicated stuff that is out there. It has advice for everyone and it is fast and easy to read. Wish I had started saving and investing earlier.

[Joshua]

I just recieved this book as a First Reads Winner! Im looking forward to reading it, hopefully I'll learn some things to help my own situation!?

[Colin Price · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read and provides some good reinforcement of some very sound investing strategies found elsewhere.

[Nolan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It says 10 investment tips on the cover but really it's just one. Invest in Index stocks.

[Will Curry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Can read in a single sitting. Bare bones stuff, yet essential reading for any beginner at investing a chunk and looking to avoid fees.