The Little Book of Main Street Money: 21 Simple Truths That Help Real People Make Real Money

In a sense, Jonathan Clements's new book was painful to read. Clements was the long-time personal finance columnist for the Wall Street Journal, and he has a real knack for explaining investment stuff. He wrote nearly 1,000 columns for the Journal and he's forgotten more about personal finance than many brokers ever knew.Mainstreet Money, 21 Simple Truths that Help Real People Make Real Money is an excellent book. I recommend it highly to anyone who needs a basic finance guide, or those who want a refresher course. In Clements's usual style, it's easy to read, understandable, and helpful. I'll add this to our website's recommended reading list.Clements once famously noted that there are only seven real stories in personal finance, and he cites them in his introduction. I won't list them all here, but one is "simplicity is a great financial virtue." I agree with his other six, too, but as a practicing advisor, this one stands out as genuine wisdom. There are few absolutes in economics or finance, but that comes pretty close!It tracks that his 21 Simple Truths follow this theme. He tackles everything from portfolio construction to the merits of saving. Each chapter illuminates a different topic, and offers explanations, ideas, and suggestions. All in that comfortable and engaging style he's known for.I especially like his tenth chapter, where he offers ten reasons why it's so tough to beat the market. This is heresy in many hallowed halls of Wall Street, but he does a nice job of explaining why so many smart people abandoned that game. "The harder you try to beat the market, the more likely you are to fail, thanks to the investment costs involved."Why, then, was my reading painful? Another simple truth is that every thinking adult should already know much of this stuff. Seriously, folks, this isn't nuclear physics and these truths aren't obscure. These are the pots and pans of personal finance and every home should already have a basic collection. It just hurts to acknowledge (again) that - as a people - we're rich in things, but poor in basic money knowledge.People should already know the merits of diversification. They should already know that every investment (every single one) has risks. They should know that tax deferral is smart and that today's retirement can last many decades. If they don't, then this little book makes those powerful and productive points. And, in many ways, Clements makes them and others better than anyone else could. He has a gift.I like Jon Clements and I recommend his book highly. I just wish that it wasn't necessary.

Of all the people we interact with in the world, there are maybe six or seven that really change our life. Our parents make sacrafices so we are able to earn our degrees. One or two teachers make a strong impression on us. Our spouse shares their life with us. Perhaps there is a religious person who helps us understand the concept of God. In my life Jonathan Clements is one of these people. As a young man I spent money buying the latest hot mutual fund in an effort to beat the market. I paid huge fees, and last year's hot fund turned out to be this year's loser. Jonathan's book lays out the framework for investing using index funds with low fees to build a strong financial base. Equally important is his advice not to buy too much house, too much car, and too much stuff. We can have a good life, but we cannot do everything. His comments on health, diet, happiness, and physical fitness also add perspective. I highly recommend this book. Buy copies for your children also.

Solid discussion on investing, retirement, savings, risk, and everything that a person should and needs to know. Is it in depth on all topics, no. That’s because it isn’t that kind of book. In saying that I have an accounting degree and I’m a homeowner and I found a lot of useful tidbits in this book

This is Jonathan Clements' best writing yet, and I've been following his financial advice since 1992. Out of all the works of respected financial authors I've read, none have proved to be as provoking or as true over the years as his. There is something about his clear-headed approach and British wit that inspires me to keep doing better. (It's one thing to know what to do; and then it's a second thing to actually do it. This book helps the reader in both.) The bottom-line is that reading this book helped me firmly acknowledge my true priorities (financial and otherwise) and inspired me to sally forth with the gumption to stick to them. The book also clears up the thorny financial questions a typical investor has. I am giving copies of this book as gifts to people I care about, and I recommend it to everyone who wants to get ahead financially and otherwise. And after you read this book, you'll see clearly what the "and otherwise" means in relation to your finances.

The title "The Little Book of Main Street Money" is a deceptive title for this wise, precious, little gem of a personal finance book. Much clever advice, and a powerful distillation of valuable knowledge from an unusually wide variety of souces incorporated in this highly useful and immediately practical book. I'm an avid reader of personal finance and lay economics books, and Jonathan Clements is of the finest minds and best writers in the business. This book covers a wide variety of topics, and it covers them all well. Clements never talks down to the reader, and he often provokes thought far beyond the printed words. In short, his "little book" contains a critical mass to start a fusion reaction of knowledge about finance. I am confident that I will be referring to it frequently. I have already been applying the information to my financial transactions, and I have only just finished reading the book.

This was a gem for new investors and long term investors as well. The author uses every day language and as a skilled journalist portrays how to invest safely and that getting rich is not the main aim but attaining a reasonable retirement with ample money and attainment of lifestyle balance in getting there is key.Clements shows us how to value money but this is not a get rich quick scheme type of book. He has a wealth of experience and his understanding of human behaviour is evident when reading this publication.

Para principiantes. Si se ha leído ya libros de finanzas, este no añade nada nuevo. Además, el nivel de inglés del libro no es apto para todos los públicos, pues usa un vocabulario un tanto poco habitual.

I am yet to read the book but I'm surprised to see such poor quality paper. Its very hard to distinguish if I have pirated copy or print is so bad. Regret ordering paperback.

very good book

Wow I am amazed at the content and approach