Book Description
"This book is designed for realty investors who want to profit from buying below market, making cosmetic improvements to add value, and then quickly reselling. But real estate agents and home buyers should also study it because of the valuable insights offered by a longtime, very successful real estate broker. On my scale of one to 10, this superb book rates an off-the-chart 12."
—
Robert Bruss
You've probably seen TV shows like Flip This House and Flip That House, in which Real estate investors buy, renovate, and sell a house in a matter of weeks for tens of thousands of dollars in profit. They make flipping houses look so easy that you want to jump out of your recliner (during the next commercial, of course), run down the street, find a house for sale, flip it for a 50 percent profit, and run back home to continue watching the show.
I, Ralph Roberts, have flipped hundreds of houses, and it's never as easy as it looks on TV. People don't generally line up at your front door begging you to buy their house for 30-50 percent below market value. Renovation expenses always exceed estimates. And you can't always sell a house for what you think it's worth.
Flipping houses for a profit requires time, money, and what I like to call sticktoitism—dogged determination in the face of overwhelming uncertainty.
Not just another house flipping book
You can find plenty of books about flipping houses that claim "anyone can do it" and make flipping look easy and risk-free. Flipping Houses For Dummies takes a different approach—honesty. We don't claim that flipping houses is "easy" or "simple" or "risk-free," because, quite frankly, it isn't.
Flipping Houses For Dummies reveals the risks and rewards of flipping properties; helps you determine whether you have the time, energy, cash, and other resources to be successful; and then conveys the expert knowledge that those who wish to pursue house flipping need in order to minimize risk and maximize potential profits in a very competitive market.
Did you know?
Most books on flipping houses gloss over the key factors that that make or break the novice house flipper. These are the very items we focus on in Flipping Houses For Dummies. For example, did you know:
A flipping book for real people
Flipping Houses For Dummies speaks to the mom and pop investor, steering you clear of the gray areas, which tend to carry high-risks and low-returns, into safer, more potentially profitable areas. We encourage you invest in your comfort zone and take on bigger, riskier projects with higher profit potential only when you're ready.
In Flipping Houses For Dummies we stress that the first flip is the most important one, and we take the guesswork out of the first transaction, to lead you through a positive first experience on which to build a promising real estate investment portfolio.
Flipping Houses For Dummies provides plenty of examples of successful and not-so-successful property flips, presenting the total investment (in time and money), the work involved, and the net profit. Before-and-after photos visually illustrate the positive transformations from run-down-shacks to showcase homes.
Customer Reviews:
Great book.......2007-10-03
I have not finished the book but what I have read makes since and points you in the right direction. I'm looking forward to finishing the book and flipping my first house.
superb technique in detailed explanations.......2007-09-12
The writers of this book do everything for you except the actual manual labor. They make what seems scary and overwhelming seem normal,what to expect and how to even deal with it, smart tips, locating investors, the works, its all inside this book.
Good Arrival.......2007-08-31
My husband was waiting for this and it came just before the weekend, It gave him all the details he needs in order to start up this new venture in understandable terms. We love books "for dummies".
Good advice.......2007-07-25
I read this book after getting caught up in the TV frenzy of house flipping. I soon realized that I do not have the time required to put into house flipping for now. There is a lot of other good advice in this book that will better prepare for flipping(or not in my case). Very worthy purchase.
Flipping Houses for Dummies.......2007-05-09
I have started reading this and it seems to have some very helpful hints. I have not read it all the way through yet, but this is something that I plan to do in the future, so the book will be a reference guide when I get ready to invest.
Amazon.com
Personal Finance for Dummies offers sound and practical advice for those who want to get control over their personal financial lives. Author Eric Tyson points out the most common mistakes that we all make in our approach to money and prescribes ways to save and invest for a secure future. Using worksheets, the book helps you to measure your own financial health by looking at factors such as how much debt you carry, your savings rate, as well as investment and insurance checkups. The book looks at how you should invest your retirement account, approach taxes, and provides a good overview on how to buy real estate.
Book Description
Too many personal finance consultants offer financial advice that ignores the big picture and instead focuses on investing. You need much more than that to plan your future. You need a broader understanding of personal finance that includes all areas of your financial life in order to become financially sound.
Personal Finance for Dummies, 5
th Edition is full of detailed, action-oriented financial advice that will show you how to lower expenses and tame debts as well as invest wisely to achieve your financial goals! Now in its 5
th edition, this up-to-date guide covers all the latest trends to ensure your financial stability. Just some of the updates and revisions include:
- Reviews of the new and revised tax laws and how to take advantage of them
- The latest scoop on Medicare and Social Security and what it means for you
- Updated investment advice on mutual funds and other managed investments
- Enhanced smart spending tips
- Coverage of new bankruptcy laws and how to eliminate consumer debt
- Smart ways to use credit and improve credit scores
- Expanded coverage on educational savings options
This hands-on, straightforward guide features ways to survive life changes such as starting your first job, getting married, having children, and retiring, as well as helpful tactics for preventing identity theft and fraud. With Personal Finance for Dummies, 5
th Edition, you’ll be able to achieve financial strength and start concentrating on the more important things in life!
Customer Reviews:
Definitely worth a read if you're struggling financially.......2007-10-05
I got this book right after purchasing my first house, because I knew I needed help with several things: 1) staying on top of my money so I could pay the mortgage on time every month, 2) understanding all my options regarding things like refinancing my home and so on, 3) starting a savings account, and 4) some sort of retirement account sometime in the future. This book has helped me with all of those. The author seems somewhat conservative at certain points, and advises a few things I wouldn't do (or advises against things I don't think are as big of a risk as he does)--but hey, he's a finance guy, of course he's conservative! Overall, this book is very clearly and simply written, and exhaustive in what it covers. I feel like I'm well on my way toward much better financial health as a result of reading it.
Best Gift for Children - of all ages.......2007-08-25
Ive given away too many of my copies of this book. Now each of my three children have their own copy. It is making them much more responsible for their finances. And that is a parent's best gift- to ourselves.
comprehensive and concise.......2007-07-27
No matter how old you are or how much money you make, you can use the advice in this book. This book is not sensationalist in any way; the author does not try to apply one formula to everyone's financial situation. Instead, this book helps you realize on paper what your current financial picture looks like, and then helps you to form and plan sensible goals.
It comprehensively yet succinctly addresses banking, saving, investing, spending, debt management, taxes, real estate, and insurance.
10 years and the book is still useful.......2007-07-19
I bought this book in 1999 after my husband and I graduated and got jobs. We still use this book extensively. From getting the right type of insurance coverage to help planning our portfolio, this book has been invaluable.
The book is very practical - my husband and I have strong theoretical training in finance but needed this book to translate that knowledge into action.
This book will pay for itself in no time. Buy it!
I really like it.......2007-06-30
I have been clueless and careless about financial responsibilities. I have always had my parents to provide for me. After starting a family of my own, buying a house, and realizing I can't rely on my parent to provide for my retirement, I needed to learn about money. This book has been so informative and so on target. We have met with a financial advisor that has set up things for us before I even bought the book. So while reading, I'm realizing I could have done this on my own with the help of this book. It is very simple to read and understand (I'm not a genius or corporate world savy...just a suburban mom) and I enjoyed reading this and learning all sorts of ways to save and invest and pay off our many debts. I wish they supplied this book during high school before everyone starts racking up their debt.
Book Description
"This is simply the best book on the topic.”
—Randall Bell, Author, Home Owner's Manual
"Tyson and Griswold have truly opened the world of real estate investing to all by tackling often complex issues in this easy to understand and use book. I can't think of a better way to get smart about building wealth through rental properties than to read their excellent Real Estate Investing For Dummies!"
—Vern Hoven, CPA
Non-prime time TV is cluttered with infomercials about how you can buy non-prime real estate for next to nothing and get rich quick. Common sense should tell you that’s an exaggeration. (If common sense doesn’t tell you, bankers will.) Nevertheless, it is possible to get rich gradually by investing in real estate. Long term, you can expect to realize an annual return of 8 to 10% a year.
Real Estate Investing for Dummies gives you the keys to successful real estate investment, whether it’s in single family homes and condos, apartments, vacation homes, commercial properties (office, industrial, and retail), raw land, or REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts). With guidance from authors Eric Tyson, MBA, a financial counselor, and Robert S. Griswold, a veteran real estate investor, you’ll discover how to:
- Find and buy the best properties at a fair price
- Capitalize on opportunities such as foreclosures, no money down deals, auctions, tax sales, and more
- Secure financing and good mortgage terms
- Value, evaluate, and negotiate everything to do with real estate
- Work with agents and other professionals
- Project income potential and cash flow
- Handle contracts, inspections, and closings
Whether you’re interested in a fixer supper for rental, premier office space you can lease, or a vacation home you can enjoy and rent, when you become a buyer, you also become a landlord. That means you can hear from tenants any time, night or day. It means you may not hear from them when the rent is due. Real Estate Investing for Dummies also helps you:
- Find and keep good tenants
- Negotiate lease agreements
- Insure and maintain your property
- Keep good records for tax and accounting purposes
Remember, with any deal, you have to know when to hold them and know when to fold them. So Real Estate Investing for Dummies gives you guidelines on when and how to sell and how to reinvest to build wealth. It also lists 10 real estate investments you shouldn’t touch with a 10-foot pole. Especially if you’re tempted by those late-night infomercials, that warning could save you a fortune!
Customer Reviews:
Great Information, but with a verbal tick.......2007-09-21
This book is stupendous! It covers a tremendous amount of information to get you started in real estate investing. My wife and I are starting a real estate holding company and this book has been the foundation of our learning.
The only strange thing about the book is that for some reason the authors decided to only use the feminine pronouns "she" or "her" when referring to general individuals, such as "It's very difficult for an owner to lose her home and it's often even more difficult for her to..."
At first this was just odd, but it became a real distraction and annoyance that they never use "he or she" or the common practice in English of using the male pronoun for such situations.
Despite this sort of printed verbal tick, this is an excellent book with a lot of information.
Quick Arrival.......2007-09-06
I was amazed at how quickly I received this book. The book was in excellent shape.
Details, details and more details ..........2007-07-09
This book is a great companion to other books of a more thoeretical nature. Many real estate books focus on why you should invest and the benefits of investing.
This book does that, but then goes one step further. I think the authors and the 'For Dummies' team need to be congratulated as they have given everyone enough detail to make some very solid decisions about your investing.
Very worthwhile and definately well worth the $$. And very solid to know it's written by investors not salespeople.
house buying.......2007-06-15
Good book. Extremely in depth. This book will give you the big picture on buying a house. But most importanly should help you to avoid buying a house using the wrong criteria or reasons(ie. helps avoid a bad investment).
Good read.......2007-04-11
I'm still reading this book. It is organized well, easy to understand and perfect for anyone who is considering entering the world of real estate investing.
Book Description
The world’s largest and most profitable companies – including the likes of GE, Bank of America, Honeywell, DuPont, Samsung, Starwood Hotels, Bechtel, and Motorola – have used Six Sigma to achieve breathtaking improvements in business performance, in everything from products to processes to complex systems and even in work environments. Over the past decade, over $100 billion in bottom-line performance has been achieved through corporate Six Sigma programs. Yet, despite its astounding effectiveness, few outside of the community of Six Sigma practitioners know what Six Sigma is all about.
With this book, Six Sigma is revealed to everyone. You might be in a company that’s already implemented Six Sigma, or your organization may be considering it. You may be a student who wants to learn how it works, or you might be a seasoned business professional who needs to get up to speed. In any case, Six Sigma For Dummies is the most straightforward, non-intimidating guide on the market. This simple, friendly book makes Six Sigma make sense.
With a compelling foreword by Dr. Stephen R. Covey, the internationally recognized leadership authority and bestselling author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People and The 8
th Habit, and an afterword by Roxanne O’Brasky, President of the International Society of Six Sigma, Six Sigma For Dummies is the most complete and objective book in the market today.
Unlike most other works that are either graduate-level statistics treatises or thinly-veiled autobiographical success stories, Six Sigma For Dummies teaches the reader all the foundation principles, methods, and tools of this magnificent problem-solving system.
Intended to help readers understand Six Sigma and how they can use it to improve their performance, this no-nonsense guide explains:
- What Six Sigma is all about and how it works
- The benefits of Six Sigma in organizations and businesses
- The powerful “DMAIC” problem-solving roadmap
- Yellow, Green and Black -- how the Six Sigma "belt" system works
- How to select and utilize the right tools and technologies
- Speaking the language of Six Sigma
- Knowing the roles and responsibilities
- Mastering the statistics skills and analytical methods
Six Sigma For Dummies will become everyone’s No. 1 resource for discovering and mastering the world’s most famous and powerful improvement tool. Stephen Covey is spot-on when he says, “Six Sigma For Dummies is a book to be read by everyone”.
Download Description
The world's largest and most profitable companies; including the likes of GE, Bank of America, Honeywell, DuPont, Samsung, Starwood Hotels, Bechtel, and Motorola have used Six Sigma to achieve breathtaking improvements in business performance, in everything from products to processes to complex systems and even in work environments. Over the past decade, over $100 billion in bottom-line performance has been achieved through corporate Six Sigma programs. Yet, despite its astounding effectiveness, few outside of the community of Six Sigma practitioners know what Six Sigma is all about. With this book, Six Sigma is revealed to everyone. You might be in a company that's already implemented Six Sigma, or your organization may be considering it. You may be a student who wants to learn how it works, or you might be a seasoned business professional who needs to get up to speed. In any case, Six Sigma For Dummies is the most straightforward, non-intimidating guide on the market. This simple, friendly book makes Six Sigma make sense.
Customer Reviews:
Even if you are not Dummy in 6 Sigma read this book.......2007-07-09
Very often we even don't notice how many Sigma and Statistic terms are in our everyday language, especially when we completed several Sigma projects for laste several years. Have you ever experienced that your team members ('greenies' especially) or senior managers, to whom you present your results, can hardly understand what you are speaking about? In case yes, this book is the key. Read it and make things simple for the end-user of the project. Read it and train your team. Read it and refresh your experience.
Six Sigma for Dummies.......2007-06-27
I think it is a great book. The subject is very complicated, but the writer tries to break it down into little pieces.
Good Perspective Broadener, Light on details.......2007-06-27
I purchased this book to get my toes wet after hearing about six sigma design for a long time. It's typical of the 4Dum stuff in format, self deprecating humor, and all that. I liked their intros to 'T' and 'F' statistics, and basic design of experiments, which I'd never had formal training in. After reading it, I had some idea of what they were good for and why you'd want to know that stuff. I was disappointed, if not surprised, that these sections had little depth past giving you a taste. Hey, it's a 4D book that you paid a little over 10 bucks for. What did you expect?
There are some issues with typos and formatting, especially in that some formulas are clearly missing, mis-formatted, or wrong (square root signs crossing over comma separators and such.
That said, I spent a few hours reading the book and felt like I knew a lot more about 6-sigma terms and ideas, enough to start looking for deeper books on the subject. For what it is, I thought it was good quick bang for the buck in learning about the area.
A very enlightening book........2007-02-16
Six Sigma is a very complicated process. This book is written in simple language, thus helping the reader understand it and enjoy it.
Good primer..........2007-01-24
This book is good for people asking "what is this six sigma thingy and could it be useful for work?" Gives the basics without going into any detail about how to implement for a given business. A decent read to start with in the Six Sigma world, however further book reading and real training would be required to get a grasp of Six Sigma overall.
Amazon.com
This may be the best comprehensive guide for home buyers. Home Buying for Dummies is coauthored by Eric Tyson, author of several other books in the For Dummies series, and Ray Brown, a long-time real estate professional. Like other books in the series, this one is an easy and even entertaining read. But it does not gloss over details in pursuit of simplicity. Home Buying for Dummies covers all the bases, providing clear explanations and reasonable judgments on how to select a mortgage, hire a real estate agent, find the right house, and negotiate a good deal. The book goes further than most in providing helpful, specific information. For example, in discussing ways to save money for a future down payment, Home Buying for Dummies even includes the phone numbers for various mutual funds appropriate to different investment time frames. --Barry Mitzman
Book Description
Though fun and exciting, buying a home can also be complicated and confusing—and most people learn the hard way that a wrong move can cost dearly. In order to find the perfect home at the best price, you must have skill, foresight, and a little guidance from experienced professionals.
Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition provides just that! Packed with invaluable advice in an objective, down-to-earth style that will have you sitting in your dream home in no time, this friendly guide contains everything you need to know to play the home buying game. It has the tools you need to:
- Improve your credit score and select a mortgage
- Choose a time and place to buy
- Determine the price you want to pay
- Assemble an all-star real estate team
- Make use of the wonderful world of the Internet
- Negotiate your best deal
- Inspect and protect your home
- Handle and become responsible for the title
- Cope with buyer’s remorse
Featured in this guide are tips and tricks on things you should do after you seal the deal, as well as things you ought to know about real estate investing. Also included is advice on how to sell your house, as well as a sample real estate purchase contract and a good inspection report. Don’t get chewed up by the real estate market—Home Buying for Dummies, Third Edition will lead you to the home you want!
Customer Reviews:
Obvious Find for Practical Advice.......2007-09-27
This text is an excellent primer for those of us who are novices in the terminology and techniques involved in what could possibly be the most important financial decisions of our lives. And aren't afraid to admit it.
Slow delivery.......2007-09-21
Still have not received this product as of today 9/21. Item was needed to give as gift for 9/22.
Informative and Useful Book..........2007-08-14
This book fully explains the process of deciding when and how to buy a home. I plan to purchase a home within the next three years, and feel that I will well-prepared.
Very helpful.......2007-08-06
We picked this up when we were going to buy our first home. It helped us to make the right decision and not feel stupid by asking questions.
Informative.......2007-07-13
I was hoping that by reading this book I would be able to buy a home on my own without a realtor, however, although truly informative, I doubt that it provided me with enough information to be that independent. Definitely a good book, but needs to be back up with other sources.
Book Description
In the numbers explosion all around us in our modern-day dealings, the buzzword is data, as in, “Do you have any data to support your claim?” “The data supported the original hypothesis that . . .” and “The data bear this out. . . .” But the field of statistics is not just about data. Statistics is the entire process involved in gathering evidence to answer questions about the world, in cases where that evidence happens to be numerical data.
Statistics For Dummies is for everyone who wants to sort through and evaluate the incredible amount of statistical information that comes to them on a daily basis. (You know the stuff: charts, graphs, tables, as well as headlines that talk about the results of the latest poll, survey, experiment, or other scientific study.) This book arms you with the ability to decipher and make important decisions about statistical results, being ever aware of the ways in which people can mislead you with statistics. Get the inside scoop on number-crunching nuances, plus insight into how you can
- Determine the odds
- Calculate a standard score
- Find the margin of error
- Recognize the impact of polls
- Establish criteria for a good survey
- Make informed decisions about experiments
This down-to-earth reference is chock-full of real examples from real sources that are relevant to your everyday life: from the latest medical breakthroughs, crime studies, and population trends to surveys on Internet dating, cell phone use, and the worst cars of the millennium. Statistics For Dummies departs from traditional statistics texts, references, supplement books, and study guides in the following ways:
- Practical and intuitive explanations of statistical concepts, ideas, techniques, formulas, and calculations.
- Clear and concise step-by-step procedures that intuitively explain how to work through statistics problems.
- Upfront and honest answers to your questions like, “What does this really mean?” and “When and how I will ever use this?”
Chances are, Statistics For Dummies will be your No. 1 resource for discovering how numerical data figures into your corner of the universe.
Customer Reviews:
An excellent overview and/or review.......2007-09-21
Statistics for Dummies is an excellent overview of the fundamentals of statistics for those who have forgotten some of what they previously learned, those whose instructors left them dazed and confused, or those who just need a quick reference. Like all of the "for Dummies" books, it's not really intended to be a comprehensive instructional program or a definitive reference book. In my view, the book does exactly what it's intended to do.
Several reviewers have mentioned the lack of examples or exercises. They're right; however, there is a companion volume by the same author, Statistics Workbook for Dummies, that solves that problem. Why didn't they do it all in one book? Probably because it would have totaled over 600 pages.
So, this book won't teach you statistics from scratch, but it is a very good introductory level overview of the subject. Like all of the Dummies books, the format is attractive, the organization is clear, and the information is presented in small, easily digestible blocks. More importantly, the author uses just the right approach. She is both thorough and authoritative, but she doesn't assume much expertise among the readers. At the same time, she's never condescending.
This book is well worth the cost, and I recommend it highly.
Really concise.......2007-07-17
I recommend this book for all of those that, like me, need a way to start or remember basic principles of statistics. All the concepts are very clearly explained and come in blocks that can be read in a non-linear way.
Liked it very much.
"Consumer" should be in Title.......2007-07-15
While the book is useful, it should be made clear that this book is aimed at the consumer who has to interpret statistics that he/she reads about. This will be useful for the general public who are baffled by stuff that that is thrown at them, but I was hoping for something to help me get started with my own research problems. Only about 10% of the book does that.
It makes it simple.......2007-07-03
I struggled with statistics in college and could just not seem to grasp the relationships between the various pieces. This goes a long way toward explaining both what those pieces mean and how they fit together. Would recommend this book to anyone who needs or wants more than a superficial understanding of statistics.
Statistics for Dummies.......2007-05-13
Book was very informative and easy to understand. However it did not discuss many of the concepts needed for my statistics class.
Book Description
Whether you’re a small business owner or just want to understand your 401(k) statements, a basic understanding of accounting practices is important for anyone who handles money. Knowing how to balance the books and stay in the black is vital for keeping a business afloat or keeping your checkbook balanced.
If you need to keep the books in order, this new edition of Accounting For Dummies helps you get a handle on all those columns of numbers. It offers fully up-to-date coverage of accounting basics and includes all the tools and tips you need to:
- Make sense of bookkeeping basics
- Read a financial statement
- Manage budgets for a better bottom line
- Analyze business strengths and weaknesses
- Evaluate accounting methods and business structures
John Tracy, Certified Public Accountant and former professor of accounting, presents everything you need to know to master modern accounting. Packed with practical guidance and real-world scenarios, this handy guide covers it all:
- Making and reporting profit
- Reporting a company’s financial condition
- Preparing financial reports
- Budgeting profit and cash flow
- Choosing and implementing accounting methods
- How to read a financial report
- Audits, accounting fraud, and audit failure
- How to decipher accounting jargon
- And savvy ways businesses use accounting
From balance sheets, to income statements, to inventory, almost every aspect of modern business requires basic accounting techniques. You’ll learn it all here. Plus, this new edition covers the impact of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, recent accounting fraud scandals, the establishment of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and the new financial reporting standards for stock options and financial derivatives.
Customer Reviews:
Great book - very simple........2007-06-05
Great book. I can't do math (I went to private school) but even I was able to follow the clear, well written formulas in this book.
Great Book!.......2006-11-07
This is a great accounting book, but I work in a government office and the procedures here are very different that what is depicted in the book. I found some sections very helpful though and if I worked at a small business and was required to set up an accounting system this would have been that perfect book.
Excellent ... for certain purposes.......2006-07-26
Accounting for Dummies is an excellent book for dummies to understand accounting practices, not necessarily perform accounting yourself. Whether this book will be helpful or not depends on your educational goal.
If you are a small business and want to learn how to "keep the books," this book isn't for you. I think Idiot's Guide to Accounting is more geared for that.
However, If you want to learn the termonology and ideas behind accounting practices this is good. I'm a graduate business student who never had accounting in undergraduate classes. This book was very helpful in "getting me caught up." It also helps you learn to read and understand a financial statement as well.
The book is also well read, easy to read and follow. Termonology is clearly explained and future mention of those ideas have references back to the original explanation. There is a good glossary in the back and the index is very complete.
Great Overview.......2006-07-11
I am an entry-level financial analyst straight out of college with little accounting experience (due to a broad liberal arts education) and who had never read the 3 financial statements prior to working. This book was my savior. It explains accounting on a conceptual level, which has been perfect for me. Great for an analyst, not the book for an auditor, obviously. It's great for someone who wants to learn to analyze and become proficient/literate at reading the statements, not for someone who wants to know exactly how to do bookkeeping (which is exactly how the author qualifies his book in the beginning). I'm a big fan of John Tracy's writing, which is easy to read and concise. This book led me to read his other accounting book, "How to read a Financial Report," also a great read.
Misnamed.......2006-04-07
Although billed as a reference on accounting, this book is very inadequate for that purpose.
There are numerous accounting basics that are not mentioned or only touched on in passing. Among those that are not addressed at all are the following: monetary measurement, separate entity, realization, materiality. There are also other essentials that are missing.
There are several other fundamentals that are not covered adequately. Items in this category include these: FIFO, LIFO, and double entry accounting. Even the three essential reports of accounting - the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows - are inadequately covered.
This may be ok as a supplement to another book, but it is lacking a bit as a standalone on the subject it purports to cover.
Amazon.com
Investing for Dummies is a good, all-around investment guide for the rest of us. Author Eric Tyson covers all aspects of investing, from stocks and bonds to real estate and collectibles. Tyson points readers towards investments that actually work and raises warning flags about strategies you should avoid. The book also considers whether starting and running your business can be a good investment option. If you're looking for a good place to start building a secure financial future, this is it.
Book Description
Do you have a few investments that you would like to develop into a full investment plan? Would you like to know how to strengthen your portfolio? Perhaps you want to roll your 401(k) into a new plan? Whatever your agenda is, nowadays it’s hard to find good advice on where to invest your money.
Now you’ll have the ultimate one-stop, no-nonsense guide to investing with Investing for Dummies, Fourth Edition! This updated bestseller provides fresh data and analysis on where to put your money and how to improve returns on IRAs and 401(k)s, as well as investing fundamentals like examining your investment options and considering risks and returns. You’ll have all the tools you need to:
- Investigate and purchase individual stocks
- Buy bonds and other lending investments
- Select the right mutual fund
- Invest in the best stock, bond, and money market funds
- Choose a worthy brokerage firm
- Know when to invest in real estate
- Start and run your own small business
- Gather a collection of reliable investment resources
This handy reference is packed with tips and advice on how to conquer important investment obstacles and what to consider when selling an investment, as well as how to invest in a down market. With Investing for Dummies, Fourth Edition, you’ll soon have the power to turbo-charge your investment and maximize your returns!
Download Description
Revised and updated to keep up with the rapidly changing world of investing, Investing For Dummies, Fourth Edition is back and more informative than ever. A Wall Street Journal bestseller, this friendly guide has helped tens of thousands of Americans get into stock investing without risking their shirts. This trustworthy, no-nonsense guide shows readers how to be their own investment expert even in a down market and helps them get the most from retirement accounts such as 401(k)s and IRAs. Readers will learn how to spot good and bad investments, how to tell hype from real information, how to maximize investment for college or other family expenses, and how to diversify their portfolio. Addressing the questions and concerns of both new and seasoned investors in a positive, straightforward manner, Eric Tyson offers the basic advice novices need and the expert analysis experienced investors rely on. Plus, expanded information on a number of topics is included, such as how to recognize good and bad investing environments; tips on evaluating individual securities; advice on port-folio risk allocation; new investment products on the market; and the evolution of the Internet as an investment tool. As always, the Fourth Edition updates all the new tax laws and regulations that affect investing, and keeps up with the latest in technology and online trading. Investing For Dummies, Fourth Edition offers tried-and-true advice that every investor can use. Eric Tyson, MBA, is the author or coauthor of three bestselling personal finance books, including Personal Finance For Dummies (0-7645-2590-5), Mutual Funds For Dummies (0-7645-7191-5), and Home Buying For Dummies (0-7645-5331-3) with Ray Brown. He is a nationally recognized personal finance counselor, writer, and lecturer who has been widely featured in such media outlets as Newsweek, the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, ABC, CNBC, Bloomberg Business Radio, and NPR's Sound Money, among many others.
Customer Reviews:
Buyer beware.......2007-08-31
Tyson's not just financially conservative, but lets his personal and political bias slip in at times when it's not appropriate. He decries the entire Social Security system, indulges in the favorite right-wing hobby of bashing the New York Times's journalistic credibility (everyone else who makes incorrect predictions is simply honestly mistaken, but the NYT is an evil liberal machine, apparently), and urges parents NOT to pay for Junior's college education because "kids don't appreciate it."
As it's a "Dummies" book, there are many sections that just scratch the surface. None of it is really explained satisfactorily, and Tyson's poor narrative skills don't help. At one point he references the "facts you bring to bare [sic]" on your financial situation. Investing for the Nude would be a catchy title indeed.
Money management.......2007-06-15
Second time around. I bought one of the first editions of this book back in 1997 or 1998. The 4 th edition is a little more up to date as far as the mutual funds/bond funds. This is the best book out there for someone who is about to be in charge of there financies(ie. graduating from school or getting married). If you can discipline your spending this will help you accumalate assets.
un libro sencillo.......2007-05-08
es una obra con un lenguaje sencillo, no altamente tecnificado, donde el autor ofrece un particular punto de vista de la planificación financiera personal, haciendole opocision a otros autores como r kiyosaki.
lo recomiendo altamente,
A great primer for Investing newbies!.......2007-04-28
Like many of the Dummies books, Investing for Dummies really provides a great overview into the market, and various securities. A great starting book for people interested in expanding their knowledge of how the market works. I highly recommend, especially paired with the Wall Street Journals Guide to Understanding Money and Investing...
A True Textbook.......2007-04-19
I received the book at the library. I have never read a "Dummie" book. I certainly obtained a real education. I have been an investor for many years but in todays world there are so many new "Words" and jargon I thought it would be a good read. As I progressed I realized the book was older and ordered a up to date from Amazon. I will always use it for reference and will read it again as I have this one. I would suggest anyone wanting to understand how to purchase stock and operate in the market read this book. You will understand a lot when you do.
Book Description
Stock Investing For Dummies, 2
nd Edition covers all the proven tactics and strategies for picking the right stocks. Packed with savvy tips on today’s best investment opportunities, this book provides a down-to-earth, straightforward approach to making money on the market without the fancy lingo. Soon you’ll have the power to optimize your returns by:
- Recognizing and minimizing the risks
- Gathering information about potential stocks
- Dissecting annual reports and other company documents
- Analyzing the growth and demand of industries
- Playing with the politicians
- Approaching uncertain markets
- Using corporate stock buybacks to boost earnings
- Handling the IRS and other obligations
With a different strategy for every investor—from recent college grad to married with children to recently retired—this valuable reference is a must-have. It also features tips and tricks on how to tell when a stock is on the verge of declining or increasing, how to protect yourself from fraud, and common challenges that every investor must go through, along with resources and financial ratios.
Download Description
The Dummies way to score big in the stock market Stock Investing For Dummies, Second Edition covers the basics of investing for individuals and households that want to watch their savings grow. Simple, straight-forward, and honest, this friendly guide covers all the categories of stocks, teaches readers how to analyze stocks, and offers invaluable resources for developing a portfolio. Investing consultant Paul Mladjenovic offers wise advice and proven tactics for beginners who want to get in the game without risking their shirts. Whether the market is up or down, readers will benefit from sound, practical investing strategies and insights that have helped generations of investors profit from the markets. Paul Mladjenovic (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) is the owner of PM Financial Services and a Certified Financial Planner and investing consultant with nineteen years of experience in investing.
Customer Reviews:
Not Just for Dummies.......2007-10-06
I've read about a dozen books on stock investing in the last 6 months or so and this is probably my favorite. It's detailed, interesting, and very easy to read. It's perfect for dummies, or those new to the stock market, but also so loaded with great info that even the "experts" would probably pick up a few things here and there. Since I just finished reading it, cover to cover, for the second time, I thought I ought to give the author a well-deserved good review.
A good start.......2007-09-30
Like all the "Dummies" this is great groundwork. If you can not get through this book you should not be investing.
Good beginner book.......2007-09-02
My husband loved learning more about investing. This book repeats a lot throughout it, but it is very good information.
Not too hot.......2007-07-22
Easy read and good flow, but this book spends a lot of pages stating the obvious (even obvious or me, and I'm a novice to investing). Some of the early chapters discuss whether or not you're really ready to invest... well, duh! I would not have gotten this book if I was not ready to invest! Anyway, too many pages wasted on that. The real sin with this book is that the author dodges one of the most important things that needs to be talked about with stock investing-- rating the various broker firms. Ok author, I know you can't endorse one over the other directly, but how about helping your readers to find out how they can find out for themselves instead of leaving them stranded. If you're like me and you already know what companies you want to invest in, then one of the main things you need to find out about is which brokers would be the best for you and your needs, and this book never gave any hints.
BOOK LOOKS BRAND NEW.......2007-05-21
HAVENT HAD A CHANCE TO READ THE BOOK IN DETAILS, BUT I LIKE JUST HAVING IT WHEN I HAVE A QUESTION, I KNOW HAVE A RESOURCE TO FIND THE ANSWER.
Book Description
The U.S. government began standardizing and regulating financial reporting in 1929 when the stock market crash made it painfully clear that businesses often made absurd claims and that investors were either gullible, unable to verify information, or both. Now, financial reports are used by a company’s management to measure profitability (or lack of it), optimize operations and guide the company, by banks and other lenders to gauge the company’s financial health, and by institutional or individual investors interested in purchasing stock.
Unless you’re financially savvy, annual reports with all those figures, frustrating footnotes, and fine print are boring and intimidating. However, once you have a fundamental knowledge of finance and its basic terminology, you can find the juicy parts. Reading Financial Reports For Dummies by Lita Epstein, a teacher of online financial courses and author of Trading for Dummies, gets you up to speed so you can:
- Go past the prose that can maximize the positive and minimize the negative and get information in dollars and cents
- Get an overview from the big three—the balance sheet, income statement, and statement of cash flows
- Understand the lingo and read between the lines
- Calculate basics like PE, Dividend Payout Ratio, ROS, ROA, ROE, Operating Margin, and Net Margin
It pays for investors to be somewhat skeptical instead of gullible. Pressured to please Wall Street, companies are sometimes tempted to use “creative” accounting. You’ll discover how to:
- Detect red flags (that, unfortunately, aren’t emphasized in red) such as lawsuits, changes in accounting methods, and obligations to retirees and future retirees
- Understand the different reporting requirements for public companies and private companies with various types of business structures
- Analyze a company’s cash flow, a prime indicator of its financial health
- Scrutinize deals such as mergers, acquisitions, liquidations and other major changes in key assets
Organized so you can start where you’re comfortable and proceed at your own pace, Reading Financial Reports for Dummies helps managers prepare annual reports and use financial reporting to budget more efficiently and helps investors base their decisions on knowledge instead of hype. Whether you’re in business or in the stock market, knowledge is always an asset.
Customer Reviews:
Even Better Than I Had Hoped..........2007-07-14
I've never taken the time to leave feedback about any books I buy, but this book I really got a lot out of, and highly recommend.
Although the description of the book seems to mostly focus on reading financial reports in order to evaluate companies you might want to invest in by buying stock, I bought the book because I wanted to be much more comfortable with reading - moreover analyzing and understanding - financial statements for business management purposes.
Boy, I was NOT disappointed! By reading the book and constantly referring to the financial statements of 2 companies (Mattel and Hasbro), and interpreting, analyzing and comparing the numbers, I have really learned quite a lot about how to manage by the numbers. Now, when I look at financial statements, I know what every line means, I know what I'm looking for, how to interpret the numbers and changes in the numbers and/or ratios over time - I'm truly just as pleased as punch! This book is worth every penny you pay for it.
And, because the author also tosses in a lot of revealing and useful information about analyzing financial statements to evaluate a company and the worth of its stock, I received quite an education there as well. Very eye opening.
Whether you're a business owner, manager, accountant or stock investor, if you're even considering getting this book to enhance your knowledge, get it. It's a very, very good book. I kept a highlighter and some post it notes at my side, you may want to do the same. In any event, after reading this book (which, by the way is NOT a 'dry' read) you will have deep knowledge of financial statements - balance sheet, profit and loss (income statement) and cash flow statement.
I highly recommend this book.
Learn to examine financial statements more effectively and efficiently........2007-05-28
I am a lawyer in technology, entertainment and corporate law. I bought this book for one of my children who is an undergraduate business major. After buying the book, I ended up reading the book myself. It helps the reader to review financial statements much more effectively and efficiently. It's the best book I've seen on the topic. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to better understand what to look for and beware of in financial reports.
Excellent value ... just buy it!.......2007-03-25
I recently had to take a week long seminar about financial statements and didn't want to go in cold turkey and possibly embarass myself ... so I bought three books thru Amazon to help me learn about financial statements, this one being the most comprehensive.
I'll make this short and sweet ... this was an excellent book by any standard ... the other two books were brief and excellent overviews, but I'd have to judge Lita's (author) book as superb.
It was as if I learned detail from a text book (factual substance), but then had her sitting beside me saying ... ok, you know such and such, now this is how it really works, or this is how you apply it, or this is what it means, or this is what you need to do next, or these are the tricks of the trade only insiders know, etc. Plus her 10 real world discussions of what went wrong with certain corporations ... Enron, WorldCom/MCI, Tyco, etc., are very interesting reads.
For instance, she tells you how to go about listening to a call between analysts and corporate executives, which honestly I did not know you could do. It's this added perspective of an experienced insider's knowledge of the business that puts her above the rest ... and this being a 362 page book, which I read cover to cover, there are plenty of these types of examples.
For anyone who is not well versed in this subject matter, but WANTS to learn about it, quit pondering the purchase and just buy the book. It is money well spent ... I guarantee it.
Oh, and by the way, Lita dedicates the book to her father, who was an auditor and savings and loan examiner ... so you know she was taught plenty by ole Dad ... this stuff was in her blood from the get go, and she communicates her extensive knowledge very well.
I sincerely congratulate her on such a fine work. I enjoyed it immensely! Thank you Lita ... Jim
opening the pandora s box.......2007-02-09
reading financial report for me before is just like reading numbers but reading this book is it s not just only reading but also analyzing and decoding the numbers found in the financial reports..The authors use laymans term in order that the reader can understand the different accounting jargons.it is just __knowing yourself and knowing your investments... this book is a must for a serious investor and this book is intended for a defenceless investor who have no knowledge in checking the financial health of the company.
Reading Financial Reports for Dummies.......2007-01-10
If you know nothing about Financial Reports, this is the book for you. Everything is written in terms that you can understand without being a Chief Financial Officer.
I would highly recommend this book for anyone, whether it be career-related or for personal financial review of annual reports, insurance, etc.
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