The Value of Debt: How to Manage Both Sides of a Balance Sheet to Maximize Wealth

Introduction

Who is this book for? This book is not for everybody. To make best use of it, there are three prerequisites, as follows:

1. First, you should have an open mind.

2. Second, you should probably be working with a progressive, holistic financial advisor or private banker who also has an open mind and who can help you implement the strategies, practices, and tactics that will be suggested here. (If you happen to be a financial advisor or private banker, then please consider the book as being meant for you too, as well as for your appropriate clients. The ideas found here may help you do a much better job for at least some of them.)

3. Third—and this is either something that will be true for you at this point or may be true for you at some point in the future—you will need to have sufficient investible assets to implement these ideas. “Sufficient assets” is intentionally vague. Initially the book was written specifically for Accredited Investors (particularly those with a net worth of more than $1 million, excluding their primary residence) and you should approach the material with this in mind. However every situation is unique and you will have to work with your advisors to see if these ideas are appropriate for you and your family based on your assets, income, goals, and objectives.

Now, if you don’t yet have sufficient investable assets, you very likely will still find many of the ideas useful and interesting, and something to aim at incorporating into your financial ...