Eric Tyson - Investing For Dummies

Investing For Dummies®, 9th Edition

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Copyright © 2021 by Eric Tyson

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Published simultaneously in Canada

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2020946960

ISBN 978-1-119-71649-5 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-71641-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-71651-8 (ebk)

1 Cover

2 Title Page

3 Copyright

4 Introduction About This Book Foolish Assumptions Icons Used in This Book Beyond the Book Where to Go from Here

5 Part 1: Getting Started with Investing Chapter 1: Exploring Your Investment Choices Getting Started with Investing Building Wealth with Ownership Investments Generating Income from Lending Investments Considering Cash Equivalents Steering Clear of Futures and Options Passing Up Precious Metals Getting Clobbered in Currencies and Cryptocurrencies Counting Out Collectibles Chapter 2: Weighing Risks and Returns Evaluating Risks Analyzing Returns Considering Your Goals Chapter 3: Getting Your Financial House in Order Establishing an Emergency Reserve Evaluating Your Debts Establishing Your Financial Goals Funding Your Retirement Accounts Taming Your Taxes in Non-Retirement Accounts Choosing the Right Investment Mix Treading Carefully When Investing for College Protecting Your Assets

6 Part 2: Stocks, Bonds, and Wall Street Chapter 4: The Workings of Stock and Bond Markets How Companies Raise Money through the Financial Markets Understanding Financial Markets and Economics Chapter 5: Building Wealth with Stocks Taking Stock of How You Make Money Defining “The Market” Stock-Buying Methods Spotting the Right Times to Buy and Sell Avoiding Problematic Stock-Buying Practices The Keys to Stock Market Success Chapter 6: Investigating and Purchasing Individual Stocks Building on Others’ Research Understanding Annual Reports Exploring Other Useful Corporate Reports Getting Ready to Invest in Stocks Chapter 7: Exploring Bonds and Other Lending Investments Banks: Considering the Cost of Feeling Secure Why Bother with Bonds? Assessing the Different Types of Bonds Buying Bonds Considering Other Lending Investments Chapter 8: Mastering Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds Distinguishing between Mutual Funds and Exchange-Traded Funds Discovering the Benefits of the Best Funds Reviewing the Keys to Successful Fund Investing Creating Your Fund Portfolio with Asset Allocation The Best Stock Funds The Best Bond Funds Balanced and Asset Allocation Funds: The Best Hybrid Funds The Best Money Market Funds Chapter 9: Choosing a Brokerage Firm Getting Your Money’s Worth: Discount Brokers Considering Online Brokerage Services

7 Part 3: Growing Wealth with Real Estate Chapter 10: Investing in a Home Considering How Home Ownership Can Help You Achieve Your Financial Goals The Buying Decision Deciding How Much to Spend Selecting Your Property Type Finding the Right Property and Location Chapter 11: Investing in Real Estate Discussing Real Estate Investment Attractions Figuring Out Who Should Avoid Real Estate Investing Examining Simple, Profitable Real Estate Investments Evaluating Direct Property Investments Deciding Where and What to Buy Digging for a Good Deal Recognizing Inferior Real Estate “Investments” Chapter 12: Real Estate Financing and Deal Making Financing Your Real Estate Investments Working with Real Estate Agents Closing the Deal Selling Real Estate

8 Part 4: Savoring Small Business Chapter 13: Assessing Your Appetite for Small Business Testing Your Entrepreneurial IQ Considering Alternative Routes to Owning a Small Business Exploring Small-Business Investment Options Drawing Up Your Business Plan Chapter 14: Starting and Running a Small Business Starting Up: Your Preflight Checklist Financing Your Business Deciding Whether to Incorporate Finding and Keeping Customers Setting Up Shop Accounting for the Money Keeping a Life and Perspective Chapter 15: Purchasing a Small Business Examining the Advantages of Buying Understanding the Drawbacks of Buying Prerequisites to Buying a Business Focusing Your Search for a Business to Buy Considering a Franchise or Multilevel Marketing Company Evaluating a Small Business

9 Part 5: Investing Resources Chapter 16: Selecting Investing Resources Wisely Dealing with Information Overload Separating Financial Fact from Fiction Chapter 17: From Print to Podcast to Programs: Making Your Way through Various Financial Mediums In Print: Magazines and Newspapers Broadcasting Hype: Radio, Podcasts, and Television Programs Fillers and Fluff: Being Wary of Investment Newsletters Chapter 18: Selecting the Best Investment Books Being Wary of Infomercial Books Ignoring Unaudited Performance Claims Investing Books Worth Reading Chapter 19: Investigating Internet and Software Resources Evaluating Investment Software Investigating Internet Resources

10 Part 6: The Part of Tens Chapter 20: Ten Investing Obstacles to Conquer Trusting Authority Getting Swept Up by Euphoria Being Overconfident Giving Up When Things Look Bleak Refusing to Accept a Loss Overmonitoring Your Investments Being Unclear about Your Goals Ignoring Important Financial Problems Overemphasizing Certain Risks Believing in Gurus Chapter 21: Ten Things to Weigh When Considering an Investment Sale Remembering Preferences and Goals Maintaining Balance in Your Portfolio Deciding Which Ones Are Keepers Tuning In to the Tax Consequences Figuring Out What Shares Cost Selling Investments with Hefty Profits Cutting Your (Securities) Losses Dealing with Unknown Costs Recognizing Broker Differences Finding a Trustworthy Financial Advisor Chapter 22: Ten Tips for Investing in a Down Stock Market Don’t Panic Keep Your Portfolio’s Perspective in Mind View Major Declines as Sales Identify Your Portfolio’s Problems Avoid Growth Stocks If You Get Queasy Easily Tune Out Negative, Hyped Media Ignore Large Point Declines but Consider the Percentages Don’t Believe You Need a Rich Dad to Be a Successful Investor Understand the Financial Markets Talk to People Who Care about You