The Elements of Investing

Preface to Anniversary Edition xi

Foreword to Original Edition xv

Foreword to the Anniversary Edition xix

Introduction xxi

It All Starts with Saving 1

I. Save 3

First Do No Harm 5

Start Saving Early: Time is Money 6

The Amazing Rule of 72 7

Savvy Savings 11

Small Savings Tips 14

Big Ways to Save 15

Let the Government Help You Save 17

Own Your Home 18

How Do I Catch Up? 19

II. Index 23

Nobody Knows More Than the Market 24

The Index Fund Solution 27

Don’t Some Beat the Market? 29

Index Bonds 33

Index Internationally 34

Index Funds Have Big Advantages 36

One Warning 37

Confession 39

III. Diversify 41

Diversify Across Asset Classes 43

Diversify Across Markets 46

Diversify Over Time 47

Rebalance 51

IV. Avoid Blunders 57

Overconfidence 59

Beware of Mr. Market 61

The Penalty of Timing 65

More Mistakes 66

Minimize Costs 67

V. Keep It Simple 71

Review of Basic Rules 72

Asset Allocation 79

Asset Allocation Ranges 81

Investing in Retirement 85

Getting Specific 86

VI. Timeless Lessons for Troubled Times 95

Volatility and Dollar-Cost Averaging 97

Diversification is Still a Time-Honored Strategy to Reduce Risk 99

Rebalancing 101

Diversification and Rebalancing Together 103

Index at Least the Core of Your Portfolio 104

Fine-Tuning a Bond Diversification Strategy 107

A Final Thought 111

A Super Simple Summary: KISS Investing 113

Appendix: Save on Taxes Legally 115

Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) 115

Roth IRAs 117

Pension Plans 118

Tax-Advantaged Saving for Education 120

Recommended Reading 123

Acknowledgments 125

About the Authors 127

Index 129