5 comments about It's Your Money: The E*TRADE Step-by-Step Guide to Online Investing.

1. I can't believe how people criticize Chritos Cotsakos. Sayingthat this book was just for publicity is ridiculous. I was surprisedwhile reading this great book how he did mention other competitors ofhis. This is a quote from his book, "At this point you probablythink I'm going to tell you to go directly to [Etrade] and sign up foran account with Etrade. Even though I am very, very proud of what wehave accomplished, I'm not going to do that. The whole point of thisbook is to empower you. The worst thing you can do when managing ourown money is to blindly follow someone else's advice-no matter whoseit is. If I thought that was a good idea, I wouldn't have bothered towrite this book. Managing your own money online is a way of takingcontrol of your actions, your research, your information, yourdecisions, and your own account. It's not a form of gambling. Makingfinancial decisions without knowing what you're doing is a form ofgambling. Instead of telling you what to do, I'm going to give yousome guidelines to help you select the best possible financial serviceprovider, and then set you loose on the Internet to make the rightdecision-for yourself. So, how do you evaluate and choose a goodfinancial service provider? Start with what I call 'the six Ss':security, speed, simplicity, service, sharing, and scalability. Thebest financial service providers do all of these very well." Nowof course he does mention how great Etrade is but if it was my book, Iwould to. Anyways, the book is great for almost anyone. The book ispretty simple in the beginning, but it helps later on in the book. Thechapters are as follow:

   Welcome to the Revolution

   Step I: GetReady Chapter 1: Your Financial Future Is Online

   Step II: Get Set,Get Online Chapter 2: Turn On, Tune In Chapter 3: Get Your ModemRunning Chapter 4: Make It a Good One Chapter 5: Open Your AccountToday Chapter 6: Know Where You're Going

   Step III: Meet the StreetChapter 7: Start with Stocks Chapter 8: Bonds. TreasuryBonds. Corporate Bonds. Municipal Bonds. Chapter 9: Funds, Funds,Funds Chapter 10: Where to Stash Some Cash Chapter 11: KnowThyself

   Stop! (the stop just tells you to go back and make sure youunderstand everything said) Go! (just says go ahead and read)

   StepIV: You've Got the Power Chapter 12: Online Stock Investing Chapter13: Online Bond Investing Chapter 14: Online Mutual FundInvesting

   Chapter 15: Keeping Track

   Step V: High Gear Chapter 16:Your Options Chapter 17: Stock Investing 2.0 Chapter 18: Let's TalkTrends Chapter 19: IPO's and More Advanced Stuff

   Talking the Talk (auseful glossary of terms) Bibliography & e-contact sites Stay inTouch (contact information) Acknowledgements About the Author Index

   This book is great for most people and he just explains how to readstock information and what everything means. It's not an equation ofhow to find the next Wal-Mart or Cisco. I don't know how people saythat this book won't help you at all.




2. This book gives you the nuts and bolts about trading and investing on E*Trade. It also covers investment tips and references to use, such as margin trading. The book does not tell you what to invest in but how to manage your own money. Great starter book for E*Trade investers and investors who think they know what they are doing but do not.



3. This book was completely unfulfilling. It's hard to imagine a book that could be less useful for investors. Perhaps Costakos assumes that his potential customers are simpletons who don't know how the Internet works. Even so, his consistent proselytizing for his own online brokerage will annoy both neophytes and experienced traders alike.



4. As others have stated the book is little more than a 200 page advertisement for e-trade.
   
   I read the book because I know very little about investing in the stock market and I would like to learn.
   
   Even as god awful new to the stock market I am, I learned almost nothing from the book. Many of his descriptions of the way things are "Why do companies go public?" were oversimplified to the point of being wrong.
   
   I went into the book with a bunch of questions and left will all of the same questions.
   
   At best the only thing the book does is convince you to invest money in the stock market through E-trade.
   
   If you are going to trade online, the $13 per trade commission E-Trade charges you is much higher than the $7/trade rate offered by Scottrade, or the $10/trade Ameritrade offers but you won't find that in the book.
   
   If you want to learn about the stock market, I would recommend instead Jim Cramer's 'Mad Money' or 'Sane Investing in an Insane World'.
   
   If you managed to make it here to read this review then it is a fair bet you already know everything 'It's Your Money' has to say. The book is really that worthless.



5. I just received this book in the mail and opened it up. I am a little disappointed the book I received is a "First Edition" where the copyright is 2000. If I understand this correctly, the information in the book is "as of the 2000"; eight years ago.
   
   I bought this intending to use it along with my recently opened E*Trade account. I now expect there to be significant differences between what the book is showing and what the current E*Trade website looks like. If the book is just sticking to the fundamentals this will probably turn out just fine; time will tell.
   
   I wish I had been able to tell the year when the book was published before the decision was made to purchase but that is information that needs to be added to the Amazon website and not a criticism of this specific book.

5 comments about Selling Real Estate Without Paying Taxes: Capital Gains Tax Alternatives, Deferral vs. Elimination of Taxes, Tax-Free Property Investing, Hybrid Tax Strategies ... (Selling Real Estate Without Paying Taxes).

1. I have read a number of books about real estate tax planning, and this is by far the best. It is clear, to the point, and very readable. The author goes through the basics of how a capital gains basis is calculated, rules about stepping up basis, primary residence exclusion rules, etc. He then discusses various ways of deferring or eliminating capital gain consequences via 1031, installment sales, private annuity trusts, charitable remainder trusts and Roth IRAs. The chapter on private annuity trusts is one of the least known, yet most valuable strategies that exists. Buy this book!



2. This book answered all my tax and property questions quickly and precisely. It was well written and perfect for someone who is not a CPA or property specialist. Highly recommended.



3. Understanding the tax implications of your investments is one of the most important things you can do as a current, or aspiring real estate investor. While Mr. Williamson's book will not make you a "tax expert" it will give you the foundational knowledge you will need in order to intelligently converse with your attorney/accountant, and to make wise investing decisions.
   
   Chapters include information on: capital gains, tax basis, exclusions, exchanges, installment sales, and trusts. I have personally given this book to new agents in my company in order to familiarize them with the tax implications of real estate investing.
   
   In the spirit of full disclosure, I should say that I am an attorney, real estate broker, investor, trainer, and author of another unique and highly readable book on real estate investing that can also be found here on Amazon -- The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording. Unlike many real estate investing books, it is written to be a genuine "How To" book that "takes you by the hand" and walks you through a step-by-step process for getting started in real estate investing -- investors across the country are giving it rave reviews. The book also includes sample leases, forms, and checklists, so that you can actually go out and implement the investing strategy it teaches as soon as you're done reading. You might want to check out the companion CD too -- The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.
   
   A related program that's well worth checking out is:
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual and Active Link Library.
   
   I believe that Williamson has written an informative book that's worthy of your time. Buy it if you are serious about making a success of real estate investing.



4. Is a tremendously informative resource and well written so that a novice in real estate can understand and must have. It was so helpful, I purchased 4 more to give as gifts.



5. I purchased the book to plan my tax strategy when selling an investment property that incurred significant gain. The sections on CRUTs, Installment Sales, and 1031 Tax Free Exchanges were very helpful and thorough. It is somewhat technical information, but written in a manner that a layman (non-CPA) can understand. My only complaint is that he doesn't address the implications of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) anywhere in the book, and it has become a VERY significant consideration for selling highly appreciated property. The other thing I noticed is that his evaluation of TIC 1031 Exchanges covers some of the risks, but neglects to mention that the vast majority of 1031 TICs include HUGE fees or loads. One I examined had a 20% profit to the sales company when the property was flipped to the 1031 investors. Most have 8% - 12% commissions to the salesman. Otherwise, I thought this was an extremely helpful book and I would recommend it...with the caveat that the reader get additional advice on the AMT.

2 comments about Economics - Principles, Problems, and Policies 16th edition (2005 REVISION).

1. I had no problems with this book. It arrived in a timely fashion.



2. Book was in condition that was advertised and I received it in a timely matter.

4 comments about FabJob Guide to Become a Boutique Owner (FabJob Guides).

1. Once again this is another great book from Fabjob! This book gives step by step information to help open a boutique including how to get financing and choose a location and where to get merchandise and get customers, and all the day to day things anyone needs to know to run a successful boutique. This book comes highly recommended!



2. The only way I would give this a five is if it actually opened the shop for you. It really lists most of the essentials for opening a boutique. This is something that I am interested in and it gave me a better idea of what I would be getting myself into. Sometimes your idea and reality are not the same thing. This book definitely helped me bridge that gap.



3. This thorough and well researched book is immensely useful. It covers everything you need to know and consider in order to open up your own shop, right from the planning stages through to how to price items, hire staff, layout your store and products, effective sales techniques and most importantly how to attract customers.
   
   The authors have garnered information not only from their own experiences but also from nearly a dozen other boutique owners. The insight they share is practical and informative.
   
   The questionnaires, for example the one on considering potential neighborhoods, reminded me to consider many things I hadn't even thought of and the sample start up budget likewise ensured I took all things into account.
   
   This book offers really good and sound advice for such a reasonable price.



4. This book was interesting and I learned a little. I just think it may be a little over priced.

5 comments about How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business: With Companion CD-ROM.

1. If you've ever wanted to sell your hand-knit sweaters, franchise a popular coffee shop, or sell the best selection of widgets in town, then "How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business" by Janet Engle with companion CD-ROM is a great find.
   Informative and chock-full of real-life business models, and even a sample business plan, retail aficionados and established store owners will easily find something of interest.
   The author gives readers a quick history of retail and covers opening a traditional "brick and mortar" store and operating an on-line or catalog business.
   She helps retailers learn the benefits and risks of retailing, the art and creativity of ownership, and gives them the information they need when it comes to thinking about competition, location, analyzing an existing business, financing the business, marketing, advertising, trends, customer service and hiring and firing. The book also covers the "business" side of retailing, like paying taxes and insurance and acquiring permits, to the more creative side of ownership, like developing a product line, naming the shop and thinking about layout.
   This book will give retailers an honest look at today's retail environment, and the information they need to succeed.
   5 stars



2. This informative how-to book on running a successful retail business is a helpful guide for any prospective business owner. Author Janet Engle covers in sufficient detail every viable aspect of owning and maintaining a retail venture.
   Conveniently titled chapters allow the reader to locate a specific subject pertaining to managing a retail business. Marketing and advertising strategies, current technologies and the proper execution of a business plan are among the issues explained in clear terms throughout the book. Examples of insurance forms and lease agreements required for starting up a new retail business are located throughout the book to give readers an idea of what is needed to begin their business.
   This book serves as a blueprint for future retail business owners who want to ensure the are prepared for the responsibilities and rewards of owning and managing a new retail enterprise.



3. A companion cd rom may make casual library lending a challenge but any collection strong in retail business 'how to' guides will find the information accessible and invaluable in How to Open & Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business. Here are hundreds of tips on streamlining a business, increasing performance and profitability, and handling a business structure both before and after opening. The companion cd-rom packs in all forms used in the book plus a pre-written editable business plan in Word format. Any would-be retail store owner will find this a fine introduction.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. How to Open and Operate a Financially Successful Retail Business is a very well-rounded book. It covers topics that range from helping the entrepreneur decide which kind of retail is best for him or her, all the way to giving different ways to liquefy assets should the business need to be closed. This book is ideal for the person who wants to run his or her entire business, but it would also be very beneficial to anyone involved in any aspect of a retail business.
   This book is easy to read, with the different points in each chapter highlighted for easy location. The thoughts flow naturally, further aiding the reader in understanding of the subject matter. There are charts and graphs throughout the book, giving information in varying formats.
   If you are unsure if owning and operating a retail business is the right path, reading this book will either overwhelm you or inspire you. Since there is a lot involved in running a business, the casual entrepreneur had better beware! On the other hand, if you are serious about making your retail business a success, this book will encourage you and motivate you to begin now.



5. This book would be excellent if you were beginning a retail business from the ground up and had to start from ground zero. In my particular case, the company I work for had already chosen the site, began the build-out process, and even began purchasing items for our store. We were way ahead of where this book starts you out at, but if you have no clue where to even start building you business then this would be a great book for you.

No comments about Section 8 Bible Volume 2.

No comments about Live First, Work Second.

5 comments about A Practical Guide to Transportation and Logistics.

1. Mr Stroh has written an essential primer on the subjects of transportation and logistics. The book is composed in an informal and informational style which makes the subject matter easily understood... In addition to having personally read and enjoyed Mr Stroh's books, I have purchased several copies for my employees on the Shipping Dock... Mr Stroh's books resides right next to our Company SOPs as an excellent Resource



2. Excellent, having been promoted from Information Services to Manager Logistics/I.S., I needed to learn quickly. Great overview of the shipping/receiving terms and process.



3. I bought this book because I thought that it would help me in my business. I was hoplessly wrong. This book offers nothing new and is completely worthless especially for readers bases outside the USA. I'm sure that Mr. Stroh is good at Transport and Logistics, but he is terrible at explaining them comprehensively.



4. 
   Wow, definitively a good book which I'm now recommending to my subordinates and co-workers to read. Definitively worth a positive review and comment from my part. It made me laugh my lungs off with the comments which really indicate right on what we, as Distribution Center managers go through. So it keeps it fun and informative and quite sincerely, I learned a lot of new things by reading it.
   
   It got a bit boring at the end when it got into the computer chapters but this is probably because this was data I already knew. I'm sure someone who doesn't know anything about computers would enjoy these last chapters just as much. However the whole book is worth to be purchased and read. If you don't like the last two chapters, just don't read them.
   
   I would describe this book more like a post write up, a manual for your post, which is exactly what I was looking for, not a bunch of "new techniques" from some hot shot who doesn't even understand what he is talking about.
   
   On that note, I really appreciate that the author kept it simple, with defined terms and not trying to use a bunch of nomenclature only a very seasoned logistic manager could understand, which is obviously not why someone would buy and read this book. Thanks for the glossary too.
   
   As a last note, I have now ordered all the books you recommend on your book and I'm sure I will find them very helpful.
   
   I give your book a sincere 10. Thanks.



5. The book is informative, and easy to read. I got it in a timely mannor and the price was right. I saved a lot compared to buying it from the school

5 comments about The Dick Davis Dividend: Straight Talk on Making Money from 40 Years on Wall Street.

1. Today is Tuesday, March 25, 2008. Last Wednesday, my portfolio dropped $154,229 or 8%. I am a successful investor who started with about $700,000 in February of 2002. Do the math! I'm almost all the way back today.
   
   Several of the "pearls of wisdom" in Dick Davis' book were comforting after that, my largest drawdown ever, and that is despite the fact I like to think I have "nerves of steel." His book should be required reading in any investment class. The same is true for you if you invest for yourself or your family. No matter how sophisticated you think you are, this 80+ year old man, with a lifetime's worth of experience will teach you something important and vital. If you are new, he will teach you lots. One gem could make or save you thousands or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. At 58 when I attend Continuing Legal or Real Estate Education Classes, I know a lot of what is being taught beforehand. I seek gems. Nowhere can that one gem affect your fortune more than in investing, and Dick Davis' book has hundreds. Read the book. Memorize all that you can!



2. This book is, without question, one of the best investment books available. Mr. Davis is a phenomenal writer who conveys concepts with ease, taking care to reiterate those concepts that many investors would prefer to overlook. The reader can tell that Mr. Davis truly cares about helping others learn to invest wisely. The book includes a culmination of wisdom learned over a lifetime dedicated to the investment field.



3. If you think this review is long, wait until you see the book - 454 pages.
   
   I don't feel satisfied with the book. The reviews for it were great, it was recommended on a popular investment blog, I expected a lot. As someone who has been investing for several years, I don't think I got what I expected.
   
   Without the preface, acknowledgments, etc, the book is 454 pages long; it's well written and well organized. But the first 50 pages are about Dick Davis, his early childhood, how much he enjoyed his summer camp, etc. I think I learned more about Mr Davis than I need to know.
   
   One useful thing identified in the first part of the book is how Mr Davis operated as a media commentator and later as author of his newsletter, The Dick Davis Digest. Mr Davis writes that he was not comfortable recommending stock, bonds, and investments, so he focused on reporting what OTHERS were recommending, always trying to present a balanced view. I concluded that's the format for the rest of the book - what other people think with some input from Mr Davis, and of course Davis selected the people and work he's cited. I do think he tried to present a balanced view, or at least a view that is not so presumptive as to imply "this is the only way to do it, anything else is wrong!".
   
   My basic frustration with the book is that I concluded that Davis was summarizing (often with other peoples words or work) what he has been led to believe are truths about the stock market, how to invest in it, etc, as opposed to presenting specific information that has worked well for him and why - there's a big difference. If you've been paying attention to mainstream commentary over the years, you've probably heard most of what's in the book. For example, at one point Davis argues that index investing is the way to go because so many experts use index investing; that argument left me cold, I'd like to see some numbers that lay out an irrefutable case. I'm not sure there is an irrefutable case.
   
   Other examples: Mr Davis is comfortable with a portfolio of 80% passive investments (index funds) and 20% active investments (almost anything else). Why 80/20? My sense is that it's a consensuses number based on what investment luminaries he's dealt with have hit upon. No original analyses, it's probably ball-park right, just go with the flow.
   
   Mr Davis presents 28, as I recall, lazy portfolios that were developed by investment luminaries. Enroute we learn that Andrew Tobias is concerned with gay issues and that Jim Lowell lectures on philosophy and religion and is an avid sports fisherman - why do I care? What we don't get is any sense as to how well the portfolios have performed in comparison to each other over a common time frame. Seems to me that without considerable analyses regarding the performance and relative performances of the portfolios we are left simply with a collection of hypothetical portfolios - which to me amounts to trivia.
   
   He discusses mutual funds vice ETFs, and you've probably heard the tradeoffs before.
   
   In fairness, Mr Davis does include several good resource lists for things like classic investment books, newsletters, financial blogs, etc. I've seen similar lists in other publications, but having them all drawn together in one book has value.
   
   If you are a beginning investor perhaps this book has value, you may not have heard or read about some of the topics covered and it may offer some issues for you to think about. If you've been investing for even a few years, you've likely seen or heard nearly all the investment material covered in the book. Either way, it's a long read.



4. Great stuff!
   Having read most everything by Bogle, Swensen, Bernstein, Swedroe, et. al., I found "Dividend" refreshing for it's objective take on the financial industry and the media's daily coverage of same. Yes, you've likely heard much of this elsewhere, yet not likely so well organized and presented. And yes, the book is long, but well worth a read - or two. I particularly enjoyed the broad coverage of passive portfolios. Dick Davis encourages exploration and critical questioning, to find what works for you.
   Highly recommended.



5. I have been investing for about 3 years now. I am 27 years old. I wish this had been my first book on investing. It probably would have been my only one. Dick Davis is VERY realistic. There are no get rich quick schemes. No mathmatical equations, no B.S.. he is very honoest and very informative. I would suggest this book to anyone who owns a stock, is thinking of buyin a stock, or is curious about investing. Wonderful!!!

1 comments about Teaching Smart People How to Learn(Harvard Business Review Classics) (Harvard Business Review Classics).

1. The title is very interesting and so is the article. The article walks through the reason why smart people can't (won't) learn and describes an approach for breaking through this mode of thinking.

   The basic premise is that people with high levels of education have learned to play the learning game. They can't or won't admit they don't know something because in essence they would have to admit failure. They often become defensive in the face of failure and displace (rationalize) the blame for failure rather then looking for the root cause and examining their own involvement in the failure.