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Everything You Need To Know About Saving For Retirement
When it comes to saving, investing and planning for retirement the majority of people are on their own. There’s no one to coach you or hold your hand to make sure you understand what you need to do, when you need to do it or how to make wise decisions with your life savings. The goal of this book is to help remove some of the stress, confusion, and anguish involved in the process of saving and investing for retirement. Money is a tool that can either cause or solve a lot of problems in your life. This book guides you through the big decisions necessary to get you on the right track towards financial independence so you can move on with your life to focus on more important things and let your money do the work for you. Everything You Need to Know About Saving For Retirement -The power of small wins and how to get started with your retirement savings -Why saving is more important than investing -How much you should save-How to spend your money wisely on the things you care about -How to become a 401(k) millionaire-How to make up for a late start to saving and retirement planning -How much you need to retire-The 3 biggest things you need to know about investing and much more Ben Carlson is the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management. He has spent his career working with nonprofits and individuals to help them plan and invest their money wisely. Ben is the author of three other books including A Wealth of Common Why Simplicity Trumps Complexity in Any Investment Plan as well as the blog A Wealth of Common Sense.
127 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 24, 2020
72 people are currently reading
210 people want to read
About the author
Ben Carlson
60 books53 followersBen Carson is the Director of Institutional Asset Management at Ritholtz Wealth Management. The firm creates detailed investment plans and manage portfolios for institutions and individuals to help them achieve their goals.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 4, 2021
One of the best beginner investing books (and he gives a few suggestions of books at the end that I'd also recommend). Has a nice mix of high-level and a step into some details. Wish there were a few more investment examples given (e.g. 80/20 stock/bonds, 75/25 US/intl) and his thoughts/personal choices, but I get that these are deeply personal decisions.
December 20, 2020
Solid refresher or great for beginners. Puts all the nuggets usually learned over time in one place. Great discussion at our house based on the numbers re saving more vs. higher returns.
November 23, 2022
Highly recommend this book whether you're just starting to take personal finances more seriously or if you're having moments of doubt about your own saving. He covers basic concepts but hammers home his points with historical market performance numbers and useful anecdotes in just over 100 pages. It's short enough that someone who is new to perosnal finance can remain focused yet thorough enough to stay memorable. More people need to read this book.
January 27, 2026
Quick and simple guide to saving for retirement. Carlson offers several key pieces of advice:
- Avoid debt
- Build credit
- Diversify your portfolio
- Live below your means
- Try to save a little more each year
- Invest in savings before spending
- Invest regularly, whether the market is high or low
- Continue to read and learn about investing
- Continue to look for ways to advance your career
- Keep your investment strategies simple (i.e., only invest in things you understand)
- Avoid debt
- Build credit
- Diversify your portfolio
- Live below your means
- Try to save a little more each year
- Invest in savings before spending
- Invest regularly, whether the market is high or low
- Continue to read and learn about investing
- Continue to look for ways to advance your career
- Keep your investment strategies simple (i.e., only invest in things you understand)
January 22, 2021
Easy read and straight to the point
Hits the main points about savings and investing. Quick read and easy to comprehend even if you are unfamiliar with savings or are just getting started
Hits the main points about savings and investing. Quick read and easy to comprehend even if you are unfamiliar with savings or are just getting started
January 31, 2021
It was a simple read. A very short book compacted with knowledge and information. I loved how the author explained things in a simple matter. I know I will be able to apply some of the principals in the book to my everyday life.
July 24, 2021
A good entry-level book about personal finance and investing for the long term.
American-centric, but contains excellent advice for international readers as well.
Compared to “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi, it is less hands-on, shorter, and focused on the core principles.
American-centric, but contains excellent advice for international readers as well.
Compared to “I Will Teach You To Be Rich” by Ramit Sethi, it is less hands-on, shorter, and focused on the core principles.
July 31, 2022
Good, quick beginners guide to saving for retirement. A book I would have loved to read as a high schooler and would recommend as an intro to saving/investing. Ben Carlson provides short, easy to read chapters on the (important) basics of saving for retirement.
December 6, 2020
Great read for anyone new to investing and a solid refresher for seasoned vets.
December 15, 2020
As simple and straightforward as it gets. Anyone who starts with saving and investing should read it. One issue for non-US people: a few chapters are 100% about 401k and US-only retirement plans.
December 31, 2020
Easy to read. GREAT READ.
For anyone interested in investing, I’d recommend you start with this book. Whether you’re just beginning or you’re a pro.
For anyone interested in investing, I’d recommend you start with this book. Whether you’re just beginning or you’re a pro.
January 25, 2021
Super easy read, full of great lessons. This is a great personal finance read for the average person.
April 22, 2021
Very practical advice for maximizing returns on a couple of saving strategies. Reads as a manual for simple financial tips, highly recommended even to seasoned savers.
May 10, 2023
Great basic overview of the major points of retirement.
November 8, 2023
Sound advice for the beginner investor, 20 or 30 somethings, or those wanting a refresher. Well written and funny at times, I found it easy to jam through this book very quickly. Highly recommend
January 27, 2024
Download My Unfiltered Notes Here
Overview
"Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" by Ben Carlson is a succinct yet insightful guide that puts the spotlight on a fundamental aspect of retirement planning: your savings rate. In a world of complex investment strategies and ever-changing financial landscapes, Carlson distills his wisdom into a straightforward message – it's not just about where you invest, but how much you save. With a clear and approachable style, he emphasizes that building a secure retirement is within reach if you focus on increasing your savings and maintaining a consistent approach. Drawing on his expertise in personal finance, Carlson's concise and no-nonsense approach empowers readers to take control of their financial destinies, offering a roadmap to achieving financial security during retirement through a smart savings strategy.
Why Should You Read This Book?
In a sea of retirement planning books, "Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" offers a refreshingly straightforward perspective on achieving financial security during retirement. The book's core message revolves around the elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful idea that your savings rate is the linchpin of your retirement plan. While investment strategies undoubtedly have a role to play, they pale in comparison to the paramount importance of consistent and intelligent saving. This emphasis on savings cuts through complexity, presenting readers with a practical roadmap for wealth-building over time.
The book excels in its practicality, directing readers towards what truly matters: saving a significant portion of their income, automating savings, and gradually increasing the saved amount. Central to this advice is the principle of 'paying yourself first,' which the author compellingly endorses for its effectiveness in establishing a resilient financial foundation capable of weathering life's uncertainties and market fluctuations.
Of particular note is the author's spotlight on diversification and investment strategy. Debunking the myth of stock-picking as a requirement for success, Carlson champions the concept of investing in blended ETFs and adopting the disciplined approach of dollar-cost averaging. These straightforward techniques harmonize with his overarching philosophy of prioritizing consistent, long-term savings as the driving force behind financial prosperity.
The book's overarching message resonates with the idea that the future self's gratitude for early and regular saving efforts cannot be overstated. Beyond providing financial counsel, "Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" serves as a motivational catalyst, propelling readers towards assuming control of their financial destinies. Carlson's guidance doesn't just illuminate the path to a secure retirement; It encourages readers to embark on their saving journey early and commit to a regular regimen.
Final Thoughts…!
"Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" is a breath of fresh air in the often convoluted landscape of personal finance literature. Ben Carlson's no-frills approach cuts through the noise of complex financial jargon to deliver a crystal-clear message: saving for retirement is the cornerstone of financial security. With eloquence and simplicity, he stresses that the act of consistently saving, even in small increments, can accumulate to substantial wealth over time. His practical tips, such as automating savings and embracing a diversified approach, empower readers to take charge of their financial destiny. And in a world of complexity, Carlson's message is refreshingly clear: focus on your savings today to reap the rewards of a secure retirement tomorrow.
Easy to Read: (5/5) 100%
Deep Content: (2/5) 40%
Overall Rating: (7/10) 70%
Focus on Saving
Overview
"Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" by Ben Carlson is a succinct yet insightful guide that puts the spotlight on a fundamental aspect of retirement planning: your savings rate. In a world of complex investment strategies and ever-changing financial landscapes, Carlson distills his wisdom into a straightforward message – it's not just about where you invest, but how much you save. With a clear and approachable style, he emphasizes that building a secure retirement is within reach if you focus on increasing your savings and maintaining a consistent approach. Drawing on his expertise in personal finance, Carlson's concise and no-nonsense approach empowers readers to take control of their financial destinies, offering a roadmap to achieving financial security during retirement through a smart savings strategy.
Why Should You Read This Book?
In a sea of retirement planning books, "Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" offers a refreshingly straightforward perspective on achieving financial security during retirement. The book's core message revolves around the elegantly simple yet profoundly impactful idea that your savings rate is the linchpin of your retirement plan. While investment strategies undoubtedly have a role to play, they pale in comparison to the paramount importance of consistent and intelligent saving. This emphasis on savings cuts through complexity, presenting readers with a practical roadmap for wealth-building over time.
The book excels in its practicality, directing readers towards what truly matters: saving a significant portion of their income, automating savings, and gradually increasing the saved amount. Central to this advice is the principle of 'paying yourself first,' which the author compellingly endorses for its effectiveness in establishing a resilient financial foundation capable of weathering life's uncertainties and market fluctuations.
Of particular note is the author's spotlight on diversification and investment strategy. Debunking the myth of stock-picking as a requirement for success, Carlson champions the concept of investing in blended ETFs and adopting the disciplined approach of dollar-cost averaging. These straightforward techniques harmonize with his overarching philosophy of prioritizing consistent, long-term savings as the driving force behind financial prosperity.
The book's overarching message resonates with the idea that the future self's gratitude for early and regular saving efforts cannot be overstated. Beyond providing financial counsel, "Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" serves as a motivational catalyst, propelling readers towards assuming control of their financial destinies. Carlson's guidance doesn't just illuminate the path to a secure retirement; It encourages readers to embark on their saving journey early and commit to a regular regimen.
Final Thoughts…!
"Everything You Need to Know About Savings for Retirement" is a breath of fresh air in the often convoluted landscape of personal finance literature. Ben Carlson's no-frills approach cuts through the noise of complex financial jargon to deliver a crystal-clear message: saving for retirement is the cornerstone of financial security. With eloquence and simplicity, he stresses that the act of consistently saving, even in small increments, can accumulate to substantial wealth over time. His practical tips, such as automating savings and embracing a diversified approach, empower readers to take charge of their financial destiny. And in a world of complexity, Carlson's message is refreshingly clear: focus on your savings today to reap the rewards of a secure retirement tomorrow.
Easy to Read: (5/5) 100%
Deep Content: (2/5) 40%
Overall Rating: (7/10) 70%
Focus on Saving
June 11, 2021
Easy to understand yet very insightful
Brilliant read for all levels of financial literacy. Would highly recommend to all. Simple to understand with easy to follow examples.
Brilliant read for all levels of financial literacy. Would highly recommend to all. Simple to understand with easy to follow examples.
July 18, 2023
A great beginner’s guide for investing and saving up money for the long term. A short read too!
September 6, 2024
Great introduction to saving and investing. Highly recommend for those who need an introductory read
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews