As an author and a financial advisor, Jim has spent years studying and researching the markets; this book is a compilation of his perspective. The following is the table of contents:
ON EDUCATED INVESTING
ONE: ADVISOR’S PERSPECTIVE
1. EDUCATED INVESTING 14
Where we're going; how to get there
2. MY STORY 18
How I learned about investing; why I became a financial advisor
3. YOUR PLANNING FOCUS 22
The Educated Investor plans ahead — for life
4. PLANNING CHOICE 29
Choose a financial advisor to help with the planning process
5. APPROPRIATE ADVICE 32
What a good financial advisor will point out to a sincere and motivated investor
6. TAXES — TODAY & YESTERDAY 37
Understand the basics of taxes— and taxation — today and yesterday
7. RETIREMENT PLANNING 42
Retirement planning comes in many forms for the Educated InvestorCONTENTS
8. ESTATE PLANNING 46
The phase of financial life requires special discipline and planning
TWO: UNDERSTANDING INVESTMENTS
9. INVESTMENT PRINCIPLES 52
Traits of an Educated Investor
10. FIRST INVESTMENT PRINCIPLE 55
No investment without free markets
11. SECOND INVESTMENT PRINCIPLE 59
Interaction between government and business causes business cycles
12. THIRD INVESTMENT PRINCIPLE 62
Asset allocation is the single most powerful weapon in an investor’s arsenal
13. THREE PRINCIPLES, ONE SOLUTION 66
Combine the three principles of Educated Investing for powerful results
14. SECTION SUMMARY 69
THREE: FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVES
15. UNDERSTANDING VOLATILITY 71
How to control emotions and behavior when confronted with market fluctuations
16. UNDERSTANDING WALL STREET 74
A brief history of securities trading and exchange formation
17. UNDERSTANDING REGULATION 77
Why even the best regulatory intentions may go astray
18. UNDERSTANDING WORLD MARKETS 82
Why Educated Investors should consider international investing
19. FINANCIAL LITERACY 85
Internalize investment principles — not "noise" —for lasting success
20. SECTION SUMMARY 88
FOUR: TOOLS AND STRATEGIES
21. EQUITY 90
A history of stocks and an explanation of modern usage
22. FIXED INCOME 95
Types of bonds and modern usage
23. TANGIBLE ASSETS 100
A history of tangible assets and an explanation of modern usage
24. MONEY STRATEGIES 105
Emerging investment strategies combine markets and instruments in innovative ways
25. IPOS & SPECIAL SITUATIONS 111
Understanding initial public offerings, small stocks and derivatives
26. ANNUITIES, INSURANCE, PLANNING 115
Looking beyond the market for retirement tools
27. SECTION SUMMARY 122
FIVE: 21ST CENTURY INVESTING
28. FUTURE OF MARKET STRUCTURE 124
What Educated Investors understand about the markets’ evolution
29. FUTURE OF REGULATION 129
What Educated Investors understand about regulatory evolution
30. FUTURE OF MONEY 132
What Educated Investors understand about monetary evolution
31. INVEST, DON'T SPECULATE 136
Speculators make bets, but Educated Investors don't need to
32. SECTION SUMMARY & CONCLUSION 143
