Stop the Investing Rip-off

The questions every investor should ask before parting with their hard-earned cash This book serves as an advocate of the consumer and brings to light what insiders know about the side of the sales pitches that consumers don't, but need to hear. Stop the Investing Rip-Off reveals the questions every investor should ask during a financial sales pitch before they pull the trigger and buy the next mutual fund, stock, advisory service, or other investment product. Based on David Loeper's nearly twenty-five years of experience of seeing the inner workings of the industry, this updated edition of his classic book offers new strategies based on the performance of the stock market over the past two years. Sheds light on the oft unseen deceit of the financial services industry An updated and revised edition of the bestselling Stop the Investing Rip-Off Written by David Loeper who is regularly quoted in Kiplinger's Money and Investment News and regularity contributes to Forbes Intelligent Investing Stop the Investing Rip-Off, Revised and Updated is filled with advice for investors who want to avoid becoming victims of smooth talking salespeople and the effective advertising and marketing campaigns designed to evade reality and prey on your emotional desires.

Preface ix Acknowledgments xix Chapter 1 Major Brokerage Firms 1 Chapter 2 Investment Advisers 19 Chapter 3 Hybrids—Advisory Services Provided through Brokerages 27 Chapter 4 Discount Brokers 33 Chapter 5 Financial Planners and Wealth Managers 43 Chapter 6 The Financial Press 49 Chapter 7 The Broadcast Media 55 Chapter 8 Authors, Self-Help Books, and Financial Celebrities 61 Chapter 9 Mutual Funds and ETFs 73 Chapter 10 Insurance Agents (and Insurance Companies) 87 Chapter 11 Your Company-Endorsed Retirement Plan Adviser 119 Chapter 12 Banks and Trust Companies 123 Chapter 13 Software, Web Sites, and Financial Educators 127 Chapter 14 Pitches They All Use to Sacrifice Your Life 139 Chapter 15 Resources to Protect Yourself 161 Conclusion 179 Appendix A The Other Millionaire You Make with 2.5 Percent Excess Fees 181 Appendix B The Other Millionaire You Make with 1.5 Percent Excess Fees 185 About the Author 189 Index 191