The Elements of Investing: Easy Lessons for Every Investor, Updated Edition

CONTENTS

Preface to Updated Edition

Foreword

Introduction

It All Starts with Saving

  I. Save

First Do No Harm

Start Saving Early: Time Is Money

The Amazing Rule of 72

Savvy Savings

Small Savings Tips

Big Ways to Save

Let the Government Help You Save

Own Your Home

How Do I Catch Up?

II. Index

Nobody Knows More Than the Market

The Index Fund Solution

Don't Some Beat the Market?

Index Bonds

Index Internationally

Index Funds Have Big Advantages

One Warning

Confession

III. Diversify

Diversify Across Asset Classes

Diversify Across Markets

Diversify Over Time

Rebalance

IV. Avoid Blunders

Overconfidence

Beware of Mr. Market

The Penalty of Timing

More Mistakes

Minimize Costs

V. Keep It Simple

Review of Basic Rules

Asset Allocation

Asset Allocation Ranges

Investing in Retirement

Getting Specific

VI. Timeless Lessons for Troubled Times

Volatility and Dollar-Cost Averaging

Diversification Is Still a Time-Honored Strategy to Reduce Risk

Rebalancing

Diversification and Rebalancing Together

Index at Least the Core of Your Portfolio

Fine-Tuning a Bond Diversification Strategy

A Final Thought

A Super Simple Summary: KISS Investing

Appendix: Save on Taxes Legally

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs)

Roth IRAs

Pension Plans

Tax-Advantaged Saving for Education

Recommended Reading

Acknowledgments

About the Authors

Index