Jim Cramer's Getting Back to Even

by Jim Cramer

Jim Cramer, host of CNBC's Mad Money and bestselling author and financial guru, offers specific advice about how to overcome your fear of the markets and put your investments back on track to recover from the financial debacle of 2008-2009.You don't even look at your 401(k) statements any longer. When mail comes from your broker or your mutual fund, you throw it in a drawer unopened. You know how bad things are and you're just waiting for them to improve before you start thinking about your money again. But how long will that take? How many opportunities will you miss while you hide your head in the sand? Shouldn't you be doing something? Jim Cramer says that there are positive steps you can take to start the financial healing process. You can start to get back to even, then go from there. Cramer explains how to make the best of the bad situation you're in, and how not to succumb to fear and panic. He tell you what steps to take depending on your age and your financial goals. Getting Back to Even will include advice on refinancing a mortgage, recovering from job loss or downsizing, and making a new financial plan. It will include twenty new rules for investing that fit the current economic climate. Jim Cramer believes that the stock market is still the best long-term investment anyone can make. He'll offer guidance on which stocks to select, or how to find a reliable and successful mutual-fund manager, and how to spot the economic recovery when it happens. Whether you're 25 and investing to build wealth or 65 and hoping to restore your retirement savings, you'll need the advice Jim Cramer offers in Getting Back to Even.

Genres: Business, Finance, Nonfiction, Money

372 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

James Joseph Cramer is an American television personality, author, entertainer, and former hedge fund manager. He is the host of Mad Money on CNBC, and an anchor on Squawk on the Street. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he worked for Goldman Sachs and then became a hedge fund manager, founder, and senior partner of Cramer Berkowitz. He co-founded TheStreet, which he wrote for from 1996 to 2021. Cramer hosted Kudlow & Cramer from 2002 to 2005. Mad Money with Jim Cramer first aired on CNBC in 2005. Cramer has written several books, including Confessions of a Street Addict (2002), Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World (2005), Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich (2006), and Jim Cramer's Get Rich Carefully (2013).

Reviews

[Ron II · Rating 1 out of 5]

The very title of this book should raise red flags, because it should be obvious the whole point of investing IS NOT to break even, but to get ahead. Numerous academic studies have dis-proved Cramer's thesis that individual investors should attempt to pick a portfolio of stocks and ride them to the moon. Not only do most of these folks end up riding their stock picks to the basement, but so do Wall Street's professional stock pickers, who on average, don't beat low cost index funds and ETFs.

After two bear markets over the past decade and a financial crisis to boot, one would logically think the investing public would stop returning to the same old places for broken advice. But as the Proverbs states, the "dog returns to its vomit."

In summary, it's curious how some of loudest mouths on Wall Street who helped their followers to fall behind, now propose to help them get back to even. And it's furthermore amusing, the gullible masses are still eager to eat it up.

[Brad Solomon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book with great advice about how to invest based on fundamentals. My concern going into this was that the advice would be outdated, since it all came from the year following the recession and much has changed since then. How much practical advice could I possibly get from a book about investing that is 5 years old? Plenty. The fist thing that stuck out to me is that there's a great chapter on options trading. That alone makes the book worth it. The second great part about this book is that it lends so much legitimacy to Cramer's methodology and advice. If only I had read this in 2009 (and had money to invest)! I especially like the part where he talks about 12 stocks that you should buy after the recession because they'll be most likely to come out of it stronger. 3M and Home Depot just to name a couple. Take a look at a 5 year chart on those two names, and then tell me Jim Cramer doesn't know what he's talking about. Makes me more likely to follow his advice going forward. Oh, and I really love the part when he talks about the fact that the "Mobile Phone" boom is going to be huge, and that it would be smart to invest in companies like Apple because they seem to be doing it right. Probably would have been a good idea at the time. It's not just the stock picks that make this a great book. His 26 rules for investing are really important in any market. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that it caused me to become frustrated that I wasn't paying more attention to the market at the time it was written! Oh well. That's why I watch this guy every day, he constantly has great ideas and important rules to follow.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes the market tanked. Yes we got screwed by others' mistakes. Yes the market is less reliable than it ever has been. No, you should not take your money elsewhere. Now is the time to be in the market, and this is the book that will tell and show you how. Full blog post: http://www.timferro.com/wordpress/arc...

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

definitely not a boring book about stock market.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book.

[John Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cramer wrote this book in 2009 when he saw the economy beginning to recover from the crash of 2008. The book was intended to be advice to investors who had lost money in the crash on moves they could make to recover and get back to where they were before the crash. Because he used advice on a lot of specific companies, a lot of the information is outdated, but the ideas are still useful in the event of another crash. It is good to understand what Jim is teaching here so that you will know what to do when it happens again. Stock market crashes and corrections do happen occasionally, so I expect it will happen again in the next ten years.

If you are not concerned about how to recover from a crash, the chapter on options would still make the book worth buying and reading. I think Cramer's advice on how to use stock options conservatively and his strategy for locking in profits while increasing your chances of even more profit is brilliant.

Jim Cramer writes with a style that is as energetic and interesting as his television show. If you are a fan of his show, then you will enjoy this book. Dated, yes, but the ideas behind the specifics in the book are timeless.

[Greg Kopstein · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started investing two years ago and read Real Money, also by Jim Cramer, to understand more of the market. I learned a lot, practiced his “Buy and Homework” policy, watched Mad Money on CNBC regularly, and...my portfolio rose by 13%! The bull market was roaring and full steam ahead! But the market fluctuates and that 13% net was left on the table. So, back to the drawing board and more homework. Enter: Getting Back to Even.

This book had a lot of beginner strategies. Although slightly dated by years - its 10yrs old! - it was helpful to understand the market’s ups and downs.

I did find myself fading towards the end, but it was still an enjoyable and educational read. There is something to be said about authors who genuinely enjoy their work.

[Mark Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book and look forward to learning more from Mad Money Man Jim Cramer. I appreciate his enthusiasm and confidence in investing and how it can work for you if you do homework.

I've started one of his other books already and enjoy listening to him and appreciate his actionalerts charitable foundation and I hope to be able to get to that point and share my investments with others who can use capital.

Thank you Jim.

[Travis Butcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

good to pull out next major pulllback- alot of the info not pertinent now in the last yrs of a bull market

[Piotr Szybicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

For some one interesting of playing the game of Wallstreet and winning it some good advices there.

[Chris Ginther · Rating 4 out of 5]

B+ NOT RELEVANT

[Larry · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to see what I can do to help me with retirement (401K planning). Cramer's main message, don't buy and forget about your investments, retirement funds and non-retirement funds. Be active, do research on the companies, mutual funds you choose. Make changes when necessary. It's OK to sell and buy another investment. Think long term and do not worry about all of those short term problems in the economy. He has a realy good chapter on dividend paying stocks, I will be reviewing this chapter from time to time.

[Israel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bought mostly for the chp. On Options but found other parts to be valuable either b/c they were new or reminded me of things I already new.
One thing to be aware of is that the stocks recommended here should not be blindly bought even if you like and trust Cramer.
Good thing is that he says that himself; do your own homework and if buying something doesn't feel right then DON'T.

That being said...I do recommend this book!

[Joe Rapisarda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I enjoyed Jim Cramer's point of view, which swims against the tide of conforming wisdom of investing. Cramer is a bit more of a trader than me. I'm more of a long term investor, but after a decade of subpar results from the S&P 500, I am learning how to adapt to this up and down market to make a profit from these swings. I definitely recommend this book.

[Alvin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cramer's hyperbolic personality is off putting for some but he has a knowledge base that should be appreciated. This book dates back to the immediate post crash era and thus seems a little dated. I wanted to re-read for his insights on dividend stocks (chp 4) and options as stock replacements (chps 7-8). Still very good descriptions if stretched a bit by stories of his successful trades.

[Barbara Maponga-chirombe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before, I read this book I had little knowledge about investing. This book taught me about stocks, mutual funds, dividends, etc. I have done more research on money... I can safely say i am now well invested into this complex financial world. And more importantly have diverse portfolio. Thanks Jimmy!!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

GET BACK!
great if you're really willing to spend time and money betting and working the stock market. also great if you like Cramer and are willing to pick out the things he says that you like, cuz not everything he says is for everybody.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you can get past Jim's crazy TV persona he is actually has a lot of good advice for those wanting to manage their own stock portfolio. I learned a lot and it gave me confidence that I am on the right track.

[L.C. Fiore · Rating 3 out of 5]

He took a risk by committing certain predictions to print back in 2009. I wonder if he'd write the same book now with the benefit of hindsight? Still, his perspective is a good one to add to the personal investing arsenal.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is second Cramer book (1st was Confession of ...). Picking this up to start thinking about becoming more of an active investor. Great insights. Practical advices. I may even follow some of them.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

You either like Jim Cramer or you don’t. I found many of his tips useful – especially the “do your homework”. You will not find a simple way to get rich but a lot of background knowledge that helps you understand the stock market.

[Danny · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best book Jim has written since real money!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of useful tips and stock recommendations. It is written the way Jim Cramer speaks on his television show. .

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as terrible as I expected it to be.

[Glasspixie Pixie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well see...I kinda hate his show. It's way too manic for me. My Dad gave this to me for my birthday so I'm going give it a chance.

[Michael Cloin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Introduced me to the concept of deep in the money calls. Great addition to an investing foundation.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

some suggestions in following the financial market are dated but easier to stand than his television shouting matches

[Darwin Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for information, if you are able to ignore any material and advice that is dated.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Don't listen to your fund manager... get the facts!