Personal Investing: The Missing Manual (Missing Manuals)

I was looking for a book that was more insightful, something deeper. I wanted to learn more about what kinds of questions you ask yourself in comparing different investing options. This was just way too basic for what I was looking for. I felt like i was just being told something so obvious if not something I already knew.

I never thought I didn't know that much. The information will help me know about my finances, not just how to put it in a bank and forget it. Highly recommend for everyone.

What I love about "Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" is that it makes so much sense. Many financial advisors create an air of inpenetrability about investing one filled with complexity that is designed to intimidate even a highly intellegent person. Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" presents a straight forward simple and easy to understand approach to investing which highlights the risks and the tax advantages (and disadvantages) that are often overlooked by eager portfolio manangers looking to sell investors "the flavor fo the month" investment plan. The book demystifies the vocabulary of personal finance and brings readers closer to the true nature of personal investing: taking care of oneself and your loved ones.Early in the book, the authors discuss putting together an investment plan created from personal goals. This is a powerful way for readers to interact with the material presented. If you are one of the many concerned about how to live well with the money you have while saving for the future you imagine for yourself, you'll find "Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" lively and insightful reading.As an entrepreneur and an adjunct professor of business, I hear people talk about "do what you love and the money will follow." I've always answered that with "then what?" "Personal Finance: The Missing Manual" is the bridge for taking what you have and allocating to the present and creating the future. The easy to use online tools provided as an accompaniment to the book are excellent for "what if" scenarios and figuring out exactly what the best investment modalities are for your situation. "Personal Investing: The Missing Manual" is a compelling approach to guiding your financial life using your own values and goals.

As is typical for the missing manual series, this is a well written, informative book that covers many investing topics. It starts by having you set goals for your life, and then encourages you to get out of debt (It's hard to invest when you're underwater financially). Budgeting is promoted, spending wisely has its own chapter, and a brief section on psychoanalyzing your personal approach to investing fills out the introductory chapters.The next section of the book gives an A-Z summary of common investment options. The "magic" of compounding is explained. The authors then go on to discuss what they call the "big four" of investing, mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and REITs. Pros and cons of each of these choices are clearly discussed. There is also a section on asset allocation, which suggests different amounts portioned to different investments depending on the financial climate.The book ends with chapters on putting money aside for college and health care.There are references to online tools that will allow one to refine strategies. One puzzling mistake that is repeated throughout the book is giving the incorrect age for "full retirement" as defined by social security for most of the baby boom generation. This doesn't detract from the usefulness of the book for people looking for a thoughtful introduction to personal investing.

Personal Investing: The Missing Manual is a great resource for new investors as well as anyone wanting to brush up on basic investing topics. I found the book's structure and content to be very clear, concise, and easy to understand. The number of helpful spreadsheets and links add an additional value and reason to use this book as a continued reference. This book focuses on how to plan for retirement as the main reason why one should learn how to invest his money. This focus highlights a valid point all working individuals should understand.I recommend this book as a gift to college students (and mature high school students) who should learn the basic topics of budget, compounding interest, and retirement savings as early as possible. I also suggest this as a gift to female friends and family. Too often women rely on a spouse or companion to make their investment decisions. But really anyone who hasn't been exposed to personal investing topics will benefit from reading this book. It empowers readers to make informed financial investing decisions, spurs interest into learning more regarding the topics, and removes the fear that personal money matters have to be complex.

I picked up a number of personal finance and investment books before deciding on this one. Here's why: It covers an array of topics succinctly, giving you tools to do things that might seem scary: Estimate how much you need to save NOW for retirement, and manage your own investing (done quite easily if you buy a broad cross-section of the stock market). The examples are well stated. The take on investing is for people who might want to review what they have one a year -- but not fiddle with things, as their choices are solid, which is my preference. The online tools and estimators are great. I've actually never given a book review before, but I'm thinking of how many friends in their 30s have saved little to nothing for retirement, and how much my younger friends would benefit from getting started now. I highly recommend this book.

This book is a little gem. The chapter on setting your goals is outstanding, the most helpful and constructive I’ve ever read. Whatsmore, the rest of the book does what it says on the tin. Whereas most investment books discuss the theories of personal investing, this book goes beyond the theories and offers practical and specific advice on where to get the information you need and how to use it. For example, it illustrates how to use the Moningstar website - not the easiest of websites to navigate - to give you meaningful guidance. And it does all this in jargon-free English. My congratulations and thanks to all three authors and the editor. Even if you think you’re experienced at personal investing, this book will add to your knowledge and skills.

Excellent!