Box of Books #16

The box of books giveaways through my giveaway newsletter have been very popular, so below I'm detailing another set of them that will be up for grabs this month (if you want a chance to win, be sure to sign up for my newsletter here.) For now, here are the books I've received from publishers and a bit about them (from Amazon):

• The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns (Little Books. Big Profits) - Investing is all about common sense. Owning a diversified portfolio of stocks and holding it for the long term is a winner’s game. Trying to beat the stock market is theoretically a zero-sum game (for every winner, there must be a loser), but after the substantial costs of investing are deducted, it becomes a loser’s game. Common sense tells us—and history confirms—that the simplest and most efficient investment strategy is to buy and hold all of the nation’s publicly held businesses at very low cost. The classic index fund that owns this market portfolio is the only investment that guarantees you with your fair share of stock market returns. To learn how to make index investing work for you, there’s no better mentor than legendary mutual fund industry veteran John C. Bogle. Over the course of his long career, Bogle—founder of the Vanguard Group and creator of the world’s first index mutual fund—has relied primarily on index investing to help Vanguard’s clients build substantial wealth. Now, with The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, he wants to help you do the same.


• Smart and Simple Financial Strategies for Busy People - Are you too busy to pay much attention to your money? Do you worry that maybe you haven't been doing the right things? This book is for you, from Jane Bryant Quinn, the most trusted voice in personal finance today. Here she strips away the extras, choosing the best financial ideas and products available today. They're all you need to create a successful and long-lasting financial plan. It's money management the No Worry way. To start with, she tells you to forget all the complicated stuff the financial industry sells. You don't need it, it costs too much, and some of it is downright bad. The best ideas (a super-short list!) are simple, low in cost, and easy to use. They're also sophisticated and smart. The strategies shown here are followed by some of the most successful planners and money managers around today, yet they're something everyone can understand. They'll give you what you need from your money -- regular savings, financial security, long-term investment growth, personal control, and best of all, peace of mind.


• The Wizard of Lies: Bernie Madoff and the Death of Trust - The inside story of Bernie Madoff and his $65 billion Ponzi scheme, with surprising and shocking new details from Madoff himself.


• The Root of Riches - "The more money you acquire, the richer you become." This ancient belief is presumed to be as true as if it were a guaranteed and proven law of life on par with the law of gravity. Thousands of books have offered steps, formulas, makeovers, investment guides, motivational stories and philosophies to set the non-rich on the sure road to riches. But is there more to becoming rich than the accumulation of money? The Root of Riches is bursting with insight and practical examples. This first book by Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries, will change how you think about money and transform how you live.


• The Globe-Trotting Golfer's Guide to Retirement - Presented in clear, entertaining prose, this practical guide begins with a compelling case for retiring early and planning well. D'Antoni goes way beyond financial advice and steers his readers away from common errors (several of which he made himself). In a tone reminiscent of a conversation with a close friend, D'Antoni gives well-organized tips on everything from maintaining health and marital harmony during this major life transition to preventing invasions of houseguests who overstay their welcome. The second half of the book offers equally helpful tips for enjoying two activities D'Antoni considers reason enough in themselves to retire: golf and travel. But the book is organized so well that non-golfing stay-at-homes will find plenty in it for them. Readers needn't be on the brink of retirement. Anyone over 40 would benefit from this savvy volume. In fact, it would make an excellent present for a recent graduate embarked on his or her first "real" job.


• Dollar Pinching: A Consumer's Guide to Smart Spending (Money - America's Financial Advisor) - Shows how average Americans can save large sums of money on their most expensive purchases, from decreasing their mortgage, medical, and insurance costs to buying designer clothes at discount rates to lowering their credit card fees.


• Be Your Own House Contractor: Save 25% without Lifting a Hammer - This book should be required reading for anyone who is thinking about building or renovating a house. The savings involved can make the difference between just dreaming about that dream house and actually building it. The primary message behind Be Your Own House Contractor is “You can do it!” According to construction expert and author Carl Heldmann, anyone can oversee the building of a house and save up to 25 percent by acting as the main contractor. This popular book has sold over 268,000 copies since it was first published in 1982.

FYI, a few of these have my handwritten notes in them, so if you eventually win the set, don't expect completely new books.

Comments

[Tan Nguyen]

Hey, I've just wanted to say that I love reading your blog. I've been trying to sign up for the newsletters the last few months, but it seems like your url link doesn't take me any where, do you have any ideas to solve the problem?

[FMF]

Tan --

The second link was not working. It is now...

[Ron Couey]

I'd like to win!

[Lynn]

Just want to enter the giveaway. Really interested in the contractor book, its something my hubby and I have been thinking about lately.

[Gordon]

Its time for me to win the box of books.

[Ken]

Thanks FMF - Hope I win the books!

[Lisa]

Winning this book box would be amazing!

[David Penner]

The books sound very interesting

[FMF]

All --

This is NOT where you sign up to win the books. You need to follow the giveaway email directions...

[Jeff]

Entered! Thanks, FMF

[swiehn]

Love books!

[Eric]

Thanks for the opportunity. Love the blog and site!

[Donna]

I love reading and learning!

[Stephanie Beaver]

I love books too. Thank you

[Ann Baldwin]

Please sign me up for a chance to win this box of books!!!

And thanks a lot for the opportunity!

[Kent Weaver]

Thanks!!

[Bruce]

I can use a box of books.

[Paul]

Thanks for doing this. Please include me.