The Beardstown Ladies' Common-Sense Investment Guide: How We Beat the Stock Market - And How You Can Too

by The Beardstown Ladies' Investment Club, Leslie Whitaker

Already role models for thousands of investors, the Beardstown Ladies--16 savvy women from rural Beardstown, Illinois--have beaten the stock market for more than a decade. This guide includes step-by-step instructions for their investment strategies, plus illustrative anecdotes that will show even the most inexperienced investor how to devise a personal financial plan. Photos.

Genres: Business, Nonfiction, Finance, Personal Finance, Money, Money Management

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[David · Rating 1 out of 5]

Found this book (marked down to $0.25, self-confessed investment book junkie) in a box in my attic, cleaning out junk, and realized that I read this and never marked it on GR. Stuffed within the pages in the book is a follow-up stating that the returns in the book were incorrect. Seems the little ladies greatly misstated their returns as they included additions to their account each year as gains in investments rather than simple additions. So read and let that little fact guide you in the advice given......................there are thousands of investment books to read before picking this up from the door stop position...

[Jaysonrussell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Common Sense investment Guide written by the Beards Town Ladies is a novel filled with lots of facts, anecdotes, and brief sections on the broad topic of investments(stocks).As you read this book it starts of with the journey of the first lady of the Beards Town Ladies, Shirley. Then the book provides testimonies of the different ladies within the club. But as you read, the book provides different topics but, every topic builds off of itself in order to understand each concept.For example, in chapter 11 it tells you how to read or inspect an annual report.Two chapters later it provides an annual report but, you must apply what you learned in order to understand the rest of the chapter.Also as you read on in the book the ladies begin to pull their tricks out of their sleeves. As we close up on this lovely book it gives you a chapter on the biggest and main reason why we've read this book or, even picked it up, the money. The last chapter tells all the possible possibilities if you play your cards right in the gambling life of investing. But, it refreshes you at the end that the only way to the riches is hard work, patience, and having the right people with and or around you.To end it all the book gives you a short testimony of every Beards Town Lady on there life and the most important lesson of all patience and grit are the key to it all wither you loose or win.

There's lots of positives, but a few negatives to this book. This book provides you with what you need to be successful in this world of investments. It doesn't give no gimmicks, only the truth and weather its good or bad. I like how it gives the reader different perspectives on the topics so that you can understand it a lot more.For example, in chapter 2 it explaines how hard it was for "Shirley" to find a brooker that would betere for a long period of time. I chose this because it gives you a real life situation on how hard it is to find someone with your same mindset with the investment world. But, there are a few things that I disagree with in a three or four chapters. For example, in chapter 12 it tells me that there,s two types of investing methods fundamentals and market timing. They prefer fundamentals(holding on to stocks for a long period of time and wait for the share to increase). But, i agree with market timing( its investing in stock based on how it fluctuates on specific items in quick gestures).I agree with that because that's easier and faster money at the end if you don't have time to wait. But the book is an over all enjoyment.

Despite the few flaws of this book its beyond amazing. I strongly suggest this book for people who want to begin to dabble in investing. This book provides all the basic information to get anyone started wether its in a group or by your self. This book feeds the information to you slowly and its put in easier terms. Also, this book provides little secrets and loopholes from the ladies. There might be a few topics that you don't agree with but, the over all book is lovely.This book is was worth the time and i think you would agree if you chose to read it.

[Brandy Pelzel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even though this book was a bit outdated and boring at times, I'm glad I read it. It was interesting to read stories about women, who grew up during the depression and war, deciding to educate themselves on money matters. In addition to successfully investing in the stock market, they also became more self sufficient with their finances and earned more respect from their families who became impressed with their business acumen.

The little bit of financial advice contained in this book is strictly about picking stocks, which is unique. Modern financial planning books tend to focus on debt reduction and mutual funds.

[Cynthiajb48 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read this book many years ago and found it to be a great read. The journey explained in the pages of this book by this awesome club was very inspiring. If you are just starting your journey into Investing and are looking for some solid information on how to start with a group of people, then I would recommend this book.

[TJW · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise advice on investing and starting an investment club.

[Diane Utzman-O’Neill]

Even though it’s a dated investment strategy book, it’s still relevant today.

[Jay · Rating 3 out of 5]

As i began to read this book i began to not like it, but as i read on i fell in love with it for many reasons. A huge reason the amount of information it provides on various different subject of the broad topic of investing. Secondly for me being a beginner in investing the book was very insightful. Also if your interested in investing and your a beginner this book is a great ground level book for you to start educating your self with. For instance this book shows you the stock charts work and decipher it column by column to help you understand it. Also this book gives you insight on how to make what you do fun and entertaining while you educate your learning how to read value line sheets or how to analyze a balance sheet and things of that manner. But a few problems with the book is that it a few of its methods are questionable.But its an over all good book and i would rate it with a 3.5.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good little intro to investments. I borrowed the book and skimmed over the investment club info (too much of a control freak to put my money in an investment club!) and read through the basics of investing. The information is somewhat dated in the age of online brokers, but the basics of evaluating stocks are completely relevant. I decided it was time to put my business to use and apply what I learned long ago in accounting and finance. These women prove that an everday person can invest successfully if they're willing to put the time and research into their choices.

[Andrés · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent though not great financial guide. It covers in general terms: stocks, bonds, retirement, and home purchasing. This broad view is good, but it leaves the reader without any specific advice and even without a good grasp of the particulars. You're essentially left with a folksy image but little substance, not the sort of way you want to start planning your financial future.

[Gardavson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because I am from Beardstown and I know many of the ladies in this group. I think what I liked best was that this book was about everyday women, who in no way stand out as super spectacular savvy people. Oh, they are each special in their own way, as everyone is, but these are small town, home grown, river people. It made it endearing to me.

[Edward Shepherd · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful information for those interested in managing their own investments.

[Donald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I remember reading this and thinking, 'gee, those gals have their shit together'. Later I learned they were uncovered and found to be full of shit.

[Jeff Noble]

The Beardstown Ladies' Common-Sense Investment Guide: How We Beat the Stock Market-And How You Can, Too by Leslie Whitaker (?)

[Voin · Rating 3 out of 5]

was usable when I read it back in '95

[Wendy Hollister · Rating 3 out of 5]

very basic philosophy on saving money and starting when you are young.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent although it may be out of date now.

[Cws]

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