Wall Street on a Shoestr

This book presents a sensible, do-able, common sense plan for financial well-being. La Plante reminds the reader that it is really not how much money you have; rather, it is how well you use what you have that makes the difference. The book consists of eight chapters (not including a very well written introduction), with the first four laying the foundation for financial well-being and the last four giving detailed explanations of the various financial vehicles available to individuals for investment. All of the important aspects of financial planning are very well covered, and La Plante introduces most of the investment vehicles available to the individual investor. The book also contains a glossary of key investment terms and a listing of sources for further information on various financial and investment topics. La Plante tries very hard to be all-inclusive from the standpoint of reading audience, and she does this by introducing four fictional types of people, two individuals and two couples, each with different lifestyles and financial circumstances (single male, single working mom, thirty-something couple with a toddler and an older couple just embarking on retirement). Each chapter begins with a listing of topics the reader will encounter, and ends with a detailed summary of the major points of the chapter (these features will immensely aid the time pressed). Each chapter also includes a healthy dose of informative advice and tidbits on how to get the most out of Wall Street, which La Plante calls Wall Street Wisdom. While most of the information presented was not new to me, I do agree with the author's approach to financial well-being, which I feel is appropriate for most everyone at any age. I especially liked her treatment of mutual funds, dividend reinvestment plans, and most of all, investment clubs. All of these vehicles allow the small investor to participate for modest sums of money. I found La Plante's take on investment clubs to be very enlightening, for although she does advocate them as $5 a day investment vehicles, she strongly encourages the reader to look upon investment clubs more as a source of information and a clearinghouse for investing and financial ideas and less as an investment vehicle. Although the book is far from new, and most likely is out of print, it is hands down better than most of the books available on the market that deal with personal finance. Moreover, though the entire book is full of good, useful advice, the first chapter alone would more than pay for the book. Interested readers should use this book to glean some insights into achieving financial well-being.

Ms. La Plante has taken a complex subject and explained it in such a simple and concise way. And she has included wonderful, common-sense advice. The first two chapters alone were worth the price. What a great concept, too. Most of us would never miss the $5.00 a day! Highly recommended!

Why should Warren Buffett have all the fun and success? This book shows that you don't need to be a millionaire to make money on Wall Street (though it does still help). A nice, step-by-step guide to investment options for us ordinary souls.

An excellent and impressive treatment of a complex subject. With all the hype about investing in the stock market (and with recent the market swings up and down) it's great to have a basic primer that lays everything out in clear and easily understood language. I'm buying this book for my elderly mother, for friends who have wanted to try investing but have been afraid, and anyone intimidated by the jargon spewed by the financial media, which assumes a level of knowledge and experience beyond the typical American consumer.

Clare's crystal-clear writing style helps the novice investor make sense of it all. A way to START NOW, with pocket change. Great book!