Risk Less and Prosper

A practical guide to getting personal investing right Somewhere along the way, something has gone very wrong with the way individuals save and invest. Too often, households are drawn in by promotional suggestions masquerading as impartial investment advice. Consumers get saddled with more risk than they realize. Authors Zvi Bodie and Rachelle Taqqu understand the dilemma that today's investors face, and with Risk Less and Prosper they will help you find your financial footing. Written in an accessible style, this practical guide skillfully explains why personal investing is all about you—your goals, your values and your career path. It shows how to understand investment risk and choose the particular blend of risk and safety that is right for you. And it lays out several simple yet powerful ways for small investors to cast a reliable safety net to achieve their financial goals and truly prosper. Coauthors Bodie and Taqqu challenge the myth that all investments require risk, then highlight some important risks that families often disregard when deciding where to put their money. Later, they connect the dots between investment and investor, showing us all how to grasp our own investment risk profiles and how we may use these insights to make more fitting investment choices. Outlines a straightforward way to invest by aligning your investments with your goals and the risk levels you can bear Provides basic investment abc's for readers who are otherwise literate Lays out a simple, actionable plan for achieving your goals Explains the role of risk-free assets and investment insurance in assuring that you reach your most essential goals Contrary to popular belief, investing doesn't have to be complicated. You can build wealth without taking great risks. Risk Less and Prosper will show you how to make investment decisions that will make your financial life less stressful and more profitable.

Foreword ix Preface xv Acknowledgments xxv Part I All About You 1 Chapter 1 Changing the Game 3 Chapter 2 Picturing Your Destination 17 Chapter 3 Paying Up 31 Part II Risk Matters 47 Chapter 4 The Mismeasure of Risk 49 Chapter 5 The Allure of Hope 65 Chapter 6 Your Personal Risk Profile 85 Part III Building Blocks 99 Chapter 7 Finding the Safe Investment Zone 101 Chapter 8 The Art of Matchmaking 125 Chapter 9 Investing Safely for Education 139 Chapter 10 Choosing Risky Investments 147 Chapter 11 How to Choose an Advisor 167 Epilogue 175 Notes 181 About the Authors 189 Index 191