5 comments about Missed Fortune 101: A Starter Kit to Becoming a Millionaire.

1. Add this to the list of books that explain how you can get rich in a fantasy world. Look folks, if it was easy everyone would be doing it. You'll get rich faster by putting the money you would spend on this book into a saving account.



2. Dough Andrew has many ideas that seem to go against traditional ideas of investment. But once you read his book it seems like common since and you wonder why no one has presented these ideas before.
   
   Very respectfully,
   
   Marty Burbank, JD, LLM(tax)



3. I have read both of the MF101 books and find that they do not fully disclose the potential pitfalls of equity harvesting. I believe as a mortgage planner, it is my duty to introduce my clients to the concept of equity harvesting; however, under full disclosure. Equity harvesting can be a powerful wealth building tool, but before implementing equity harvesting, one must be aware of the pros and cons. I believe many advisors unknowingly may be opening themselves up to potential lawsuits by not fully disclosing the potential downsides to equity harvesting.
   
   
   MF101 seems too much like a salse book created to sell life insurance products. Missed Fortune 101 implies that someone would be an idiot if they did not refinance their home and invest it in life insurance contracts. Can equity harvesting be a viable option for wealth building? Absolutely. However, the fact is that equity harvesting is not for everyone; therefore focusing on becoming debt-free, including paying your mortgage off early, is often times for many, the best course of action to take.
   
   MF101 is nebulous in many of the concepts, and does not give full disclosure.



4. Horrible, awful advice from an insurance pitch-man. He conducts these "seminars" around the country where insurance agents and mortgage brokers are invited, and they are encouraged to bring potential clients so that the missed fortune people can make money, insurance agents can generate giant commissions on worthless products, and mortgage brokers can write up re-fi loans.
   
   There is NO SUCH THING as "investment-grade life insurance." It's a made-up term. My sandwich I had had for lunch is "investment grade." What does that mean? Nothing. People who don't know any better are suckered into this scam by a huckster who is making money from this book and the seminars.
   
   Do NOT be fooled by this scam. Don't buy the book, and certainly don't buy the "advice." This author is clueless.



5. Please don't waste your time, effort and money on this idea!!!! Been there done that, trust me you will be sorry. Check out the insurance policies on google first, these are not investments at all, just a way to give all your money to the insurance company. They say there liquid, safe, & guarantee your principle will be safe. Don't buy it, what they don't tell you is all the fees and commissions and taxes up front, kill any chance of you coming out ahead, even after years!!!!! & Years, you do the math, it doesn't add up, isn't true, and should be outlawed soon before someone gets really mad!!!!!!!!!! What ever you do don't take a second mortgage on your home and also put that in jeapardy. Basically you will be living in a nightmere state. That's where we're at now. Trying to get out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!! PS the Missed Fortune will be yours and the insurance company will then have it. Please don't waste your time!!! sincerely Teresa I had to give one star on the review because it won't accept none. Sorry! for that!!

5 comments about Investing For Dummies CD 4th Edition.

1. I bought this for my daughter, who is taking this a college course.
   She seems to be happy with it. She asked for this book it as the instructor told her she needed it for the class. Sorry I can't give you more info but I am sure it's a good book.
   
   Kathy in Las Vegas



2. I wanted to start investing and read somewhere you should first do some studies. That's when I came across this book. Very well written, and in simple to understand language. I used to dread 401K, IRA, Mutual Funds, Bonds. Now I am confident I know about them and what I am investing into.
   Showed new ways to look at debts, as to if I clear my debt sooner, I am investing in something which gives be interest equal to the interest I pay the bank.
   
   I would recommend this book to all who want to get into investing but are hesitant or don't know where to get information from.



3. I've read several "for Dummies" books, and in general the entire series is well written, concise, and gives you what you really need. However, I was very disappointed in this one. The book is really dedicated to the three methods of building wealth: equity (stocks, mutual funds, etc.), real estate, and small business. But there isn't enough info on any of the three subjects to do much with. You're better off getting a separate book on real estate if you plan on pursuing that. And nothing he says regarding small business is of much use to accomplish anything. That leaves stocks, bonds and mutual funds, which is what most users would purchase this book for. Regarding that, if you are completely new to mutual funds then this is the book for you as it will explain the basics. However, if you are beyond the very basics (i.e.; "What is a mutual fund?"), and are looking to seriously invest, then I think you'll be disappointed. And if you are looking to get into buying stocks directly, then this book seriously falls short. The entire section on stocks really just explains a canned stock report from a given company. Utterly useless unless you plan on subscribing to that service. No talk of forward PE's, valuation, etc.. Also, the author's continual insistence that you should stay in mutual funds because you "can't beat the market" since there are so many pros out there is utterly ridiculous. There are many gurus out there that have proven track records of generating higher than average returns. Just emulating Warren Buffet's portfolio will do that.
   
   I was looking for a book to dig more into stock valuation, company analysis, etc. and this book barely even touched on any of that beyond definitions. I wouldn't even call it Finance 101, since there is very little about monetary policy, bonds, interest rates, etc.. If you've picked out at least one mutual fund in your life (or purchased a stock directly), then this book is way too simple. If you tremble at the thought of picking a mutual fund and have no financial sense whatsoever, then this is your book.



4. Great book, lays it all out in terms I can understand. I started investing based on this book, and I refer to it often.



5. I didn't think reading about money/investing could ever be this fun or interesting. Straight talk and clear definitions for all the finance jargon.

5 comments about Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works and Freaky Theories Don't.

1. I'm all for countering claptrap like "Freakonomics" and I'm sure it's of value that economists take on arcane social issues with arcane data from arcane studies, but one grows weary of seeing the world through the lens of economics, which after all does not, despite the beliefs of some economists, encompass all of life. This book, like so many of its genre, makes the eyes glaze over, as it hammers on the obvious. In contrast to Freakonomics, this book doesn't attempt to impress with cleverness, which is a virtue, but since when does economics become the science of how policemen are selected and assigned to beats? Please go back to monetary and fiscal policy and the virtues of free trade. No one who is not an economist is going to think like an economist or arrive at a framework of action that satisfies an economist. This fact is what gives rise to books like this one in which, despite claims to objectivity, the ideology of the author precedes any analytical approach.



2. Do you think economics is boring? Do you struggle to understand economic principles? If you answered yes to either question, then check out Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner. These two economists apply their knowledge to such a wide variety of subjects that it is hard to keep up.
   
   For example, did you ever wonder why drug dealers live with their moms or what schoolteachers and sumo wrestlers have in common? Levitt and Dubner address these and other equally unusual topics. By applying well-known, basic economic principles to unique circumstances, the authors help readers better appreciate the complex world of money matters. You'll have so much fun reading this book that you won't even realize you're learning something about economics.
   
   Considering the success of Freakonomics (it reached the number two spot on the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list), it is not surprising that Freedomnomics: Why the Free Market Works and Other Half-Baked Theories Don't by John R. Lott, Jr. was published a short time later. Freedomnomics, as the front cover tells us, is a rebuttal to Freakonomics and more. Although not as popular or as well written, Freedomnomics scored points with me because I am a firm believer in capitalism and the free market society. I also found some of Lott's economic research to be intriguing. For instance, in the chapter on women's suffrage and the growth of government, Lott tracks changes in government spending both before and after women finally obtained the right to vote.
   
   Freedomnomics does not rehash all of Levitt and Dubner's material, but it does attempt a point-counterpoint on several topics, including abortion and crime in the United States. Read both books and make your own decision about who is right and who is wrong.



3. The same flawed - and conservatively-biased - thinking that is behind the collapse of our economy. Smart guy with a questionable moral compass. Read and follow it at your own peril.



4. This books is a personal attack on Levitt (one of the authors of Freakonomics.) What do you expect from Regnery, logic?



5. If you think "Freedom-Fries" was an intelligent idea you will appreciate this book. Otherwise....don't bother.

5 comments about The Millionaire Maker: Act, Think, and Make Money the Way the Wealthy Do.

1. Book is so so. Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Ecker is much better in this category. I bought the book to go to her seminar. Same rating for the seminar



2. The book itself is quite good, but beware the tendency to push her mentorship program.
   
   She has a company that sells mentorship to becoming wealthy. the only person becoming wealthy is laura!
   
   I know some of her real estate investment recommendations to her students have not panned out. Its not that she was scamming them, but rather she was short of misled herself.



3. Loral Langemeier has a down-to-earth method of improving your way of seeing your finances and your financial environment. Setting out the building blocks, she helps in the analysis of a financial situation and gives guidelines on how to proceed to acquire a healthy dosis of confidence in managing one's financial affairs.
   
   The book is an introduction to more extensive courses, but this is a good start and certainly gives adequate food for thought. If nothing else, you will live better and with more purpose.



4. I read this book cover to cover in less than 2 weeks, and was expecting it to give EVERYONE (especially people like me with NO cash and NO assets) a strategy and a starting place on how to grow financially wealthy.
   Chapter by chapter it gives "case studies" and examples from real people and their current financial situation, and shows them how to create monthly cash flow (income) from what they already have.
   In each case study, these people had over $3,000 CASH in the bank, a LARGE 401K or IRA with more than $10,000 in it, and over $50,000 in CASH equity in their home!! Give me a break. These people already had LOTS of money. It just wasn't allocated correctly where it was making them monthly income.
   
   The information in this book is useless to MOST of the population. I personally don't have thousands in CASH, or thousands in equity in a home (I rent), or thousands sitting there in a 401K or IRA. If YOU fall into one of those catagories, by all means buy this book. BUT, if you are like 95% of Americans, and have no cash built up or no assets ALREADY, such as real estate, this book will do you no good whatsoever.
   
   Not once did she give an example of someone starting with nothing! This book was a total waste of my time, and it will more than likely be a waste of yours, UNLESS you already have lots of money you need to re-allocate.



5. Very little actionable advice, the book is heavily padded with repetive tables and figures that if rationalized would probably drop it under 150 pages. I felt that the true purpose of this book was to market the author's seminars, to get me to follow up with them so they could sell me their coaching services.
   
   One of my favorite lines was that real estate is a "continually appreciating asset". She obvoiusly was not doing this in the 80s and given recent times may want to put out a new edition.
   
   There are much better books in this category.

3 comments about The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses (Combo Audio/Data CD): Author's Audio Commentary Plus Downloadable 32-page Marketing Manual, Checklists, Spreadsheets, and Forms.

1. For the complete picture of how the WealthLoop System works, the Book is a Must Have addition to the CD:
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses: The Foolproof Roadmap to Real Estate Riches Without the Risks and Hassles of Landlording
   
   Also worth looking into:
   
   The WealthLoop Series Beginner's Guide to Personal Wealth Creation (Combo Audio/Data CD): Audio Seminar With Downloadable 40-Page Action Manual and Active Link Library.



2. What a terrific follow-up to the "Beginner's Guide to Building Wealth Buying Houses", and probably a necessary supplement for anyone interested in implementing the author's plan for creating wealth streams. The CD not only contains the author's detailed explanation of his system, it also contains a marketing manual as well as many forms and checklists that you will find invaluable, especially if this is your first run at real estate investment.
   
   But whether you are a novice or a seasoned pro, you will find this book very helpful, if not essential.



3. The radio interview reinforced some of the
   points of the book. The documents on the CD
   look very comprehensive and organized.
   Looks like John thought of everything.
   I am pleased!

2 comments about Bubble-Proof Real Estate Investing (Audio Business Course).

1. This is well worth the $49 I spent on it. Gary Eldred, Dolf de Roos and Donald Trump are all masters of real estate -- they've all make millions (in Trump's case, billions). They know what they're talking about, obviously.
   
   There's a TON of great information on this audio CD. Plus, the website support -- 12 months of access to ask questions, get resources, etc. - is terrific.
   
   But best of all: Trump, De Roos and Eldred are all really entertaining presenters.... they keep you interested!



2. The only thing holding me back from giving it 5 stars is that Donald Trump's input was limited to maybe one or two minutes of the begining, yet his name is all over the product.
   
   I've read and own several of Gary Eldred's and Dolf De Roos's books and they both live up to the same level of quality that they've offered in their books. Dolf de Roos tends to be more of a motivating and convincing presence. He does a great job of making an argument for real estate, but for most of us shelling out the price of this course, do we really need convincing? It was nice to hear his take on it anyway. He proves his understanding of other investments and highlights key differences between the stock market for example and real estate. Although yes, you can buy stocks on margin it's not as powerful as the leveraging that a bank gives you. Also he's critical of the definition of a bubble burst in real estate (3%) vs. the stock market (40%) in one year. He doesn't think it's fair to refer to that 3% as a bursting vs. the 40% as a "minor correction".
   
   Gary eldred probably offered the most useful and new information of all three of them. He does a great job of giving the listener point after point after point of things to do, watch out for and prepare for. His advice is invaluable.
   
   Curtis Oaks also offers good advice but it could probably be compared to meat and potatoes. It gets the job done in a solid way but doesn't really excite you. He talks about the velocity of money, and tying up the property, two great ideas, although the second one might not apply to people outside of a hot market.
   
   Although the interviewer is taking the role of someone who doesn't know anything, he clearly knows a lot about real estate and does an excellent job of directing the focus of interviews and going into detail where necessary.

5 comments about Five Lessons a Millionaire Taught Me About Life and Wealth.

1. There's nothing really new in this book... don't expect to find some incredible new get rich quick scheme, mystical formula, or sure fire investment approach. It's just a good description of a basic, common sense way to accumulate wealth over time.
   
   The beauty of this book is its simplicity: it's a quick and easy read, and it gives practical examples that are meant to get the reader thinking. In a nutshell, Evans' message is:
   
   * Get in the right mindset
   * Understand and manage your current financial situation
   * Pay yourself first (make savings a normal part of life)
   * Look for additional ways to increase income and reduce spending
   * Give back
   
   Once the reader has accepted the concepts and has decided to implement them, they can turn to other resources to fill in the details, such as where and how to invest their savings or potential ways to generate additional income.
   
   While it's definitely not a new message, it's a simple and timeless one that has proven itself to work countless times over many generations. While following these principals won't guarantee that everyone will become a millionaire, violating them is almost guaranteed to lead to financial failure!



2. Richard Paul Evans is best known as the author of The Christmas Box, a book he initially self-published in 1993. The Christmas Box was such a success that Simon & Schuster eventually bought the rights for several million dollars. Since then, Evans has written several other books including this one.
   
   In the preface, Evans answers why an author of inspirational novels would write a book about money.
   
   "If the intent of my efforts as a writer has been to leave the world a better place, then at no time in history has the message of this book been more relevant or needed.
   
   I believe one of the gravest dangers plaguing modern American culture is fiscal irresponsibility. Never before have so many had so much stuff and so little freedom. Debt is forcing us to work more and more, stealing from us our precious time as well as our happiness."
   
   Amen to that.
   
   The premise of the book is that Evans, when a boy, was taught five secrets of wealth by a multimillionaire. The millionaire taught Evans five lessons:
   
   Lesson 1 - Decide to Be Wealthy.
   
   The first step to accomplishing anything is to set the goal and make the commitment.
   
   Lesson 2 - Take Responsibility for Your Money
   
   Do you know how much money you have or how much is coming into your life? What do you spend it on? Grab the reins and take control!
   
   Lesson 3 - Keep a Portion of Everything You Earn
   
   There's an adage that says, "It's not how much you make but how much you keep". In this chapter, Evans describes some simple methods for creating and building your nest egg.
   
   Lesson 4 - Win in the Margins
   
   Often, what you do outside of your day job is what will make you wealthy. Evans encourages us to constantly look for ways to increase our income. He illustrates this concept with several good examples.
   
   Lesson 5 - Give Back
   
   This chapter focuses on an interesting concept that I've discovered in other personal finance books such as Money...It's Not Just for Rich People! by Janine Bolon - giving away your wealth through philanthropy can actually contribute to building your wealth.
   
   One of the best parts of the book is where Evans describes four aspects of what he calls "The Millionaire Mentality" that are essential for building wealth. The book also includes a "Resources" section that gives suggestions on how to "win in the margin" and some useful forms for recording your net worth and cash flow.
   
   Evans credits his personal financial success to implementing these lessons in his life. In fact, he attributes the creation and success of The Christmas Box to the idea of "winning in the margins".
   
   The Five Lessons is a short book (the main section is only 84 pages long, the appendix is 22 and there are 12 pages of forms) but the book's brevity is an advantage because it makes it a quick and enjoyable read. All of Evans' lessons are sound and will benefit anyone seeking to improve their financial position.
   
   ----------------------------------------
   Michael Mihalik is the author of Debt is Slavery: and 9 Other Things I Wish My Dad Had Taught Me About Money. Learn how to gain control of your finances, pay off your debt, and create financial security!



3. Like others have said... this book doesn't say anything new. However, like someone said "Common sense is common because many people don't use any." The financial realities of most of the populace is that they don't understand (hence follow) these basic principles.
   
   Anyway, this book is short, sweet and to the point. It's not just focusing on money either, but it states that money is a tool that enhances life and doesn't make it. Health, family, doing what you want to do, helping others does. That's a big point that many people waste their entire lives. They end up wealthy but don't have their health or didn't have the chance to give away (yes, give away) their money during their lifetime to family, friends or worthy causes.
   
   If you're looking for a great book on money, wealth, meaning of money in life. This is it or a great start.



4. Five Lessons helped me realize what I wanted out of finances in my life - peace. All the other books I have read on making money made me focus on acquiring money and/or things. At one point I was working 3 jobs. Sure, I was able to buy stuff, but I never slept. About the time I was starting to wonder how much would I pay to take a nap, just a short little nap, a friend gave me this book.
   
   The single most important thing I learned was to define what I considered wealth. I learned what I really want.
   
   I don't make as much money now as I once did, but I only work one job. I sleep at night. I have true joy walking away from impulse purchases, instead of the constant regret that all my stuff made me feel in the past. I can park my car in the garage rather than all the junk I used to collect in a momentary buy of happiness, only to have it uselessly occupy precious space. My marriage is happy, no longer stressed by financial strife. I still have some debts my earlier decisions created, but I am paying them off much faster than I used to hope I ever would. I ain't rich, but this book helped make me a wealthy man.



5. This book introduces principles that are simple to understand (a 5 yr old can understand) yet powerful principles if applied in your life. I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking to improve or learn more about managing their financial life. Great book!

No comments about The Motley Fool Million Dollar Portfolio CD: How to Build and Grow Your Own Seven-figure Portfolio.

1 comments about Secrets to Millionaire Success: Expert Solutions to Grow Your Personal Wealth (Audio Success).

1. Secrets To Millionaire Success: Expert Solutions To Grow Your Personal Wealth. The title and the packaging caught my eye and then I read the description. Eleven experts were sharing their expertise on 14 audio CD's and 1 DVD.
   
   I immediately started walking toward the checkout and getting out my money. To me, this set sounded like hope in a box. Did it live up to my expectations?
   
   First of all let me say, I am a big believer that if you garner one new idea, "aha" or concept from a book, CD or DVD, it's worth your time, energy and money.
   
   The box description promises "hours of inspiration and practical steps to power-up your life." I liked the fact that the speakers were giving me pro-active solutions for taking better control of my life and my money. The combination of subjects and speakers were a good mix of old school, new school and real world advice.
   
   Here are my favorites:
   
   CD 1: Finding Financial Freedom to Ensure a Fantastic Finish - Chris Widener -I'd never listened to this author before so I was starting from scratch. It was good sound financial advice.
   
   CD 2: Millionaire Secrets - Loral Langemeier - I've heard Loral speak in person and I had high expectations for this CD. I wasn't disappointed. It's motivational and practical all at the same time. Loral shares techniques for becoming the moneymaker and millionaire you are meant to become. This one ranks right up there with my favorites. I took away several ideas.
   
   CD 5-7: The Richest Man in Babylon: Dr. Denis Waitley - Well worth the price of the entire set! Dr Waitley presents this classic book with his personal style and interpretation. He shares the success secrets of the ancients as only he can. It's three CD's of note taking and totally absorbed listening. This is why Denis Waitley is one of the "father's" of the modern self-development movement.
   
   CD 8-9: The 12 Secrets of Self-Made Multi-Millionaires: Dr Denis Waitley - More Denis Waitley! He has a captivating and unique way of combining the philosophical and the practical. His voice is easy to listen to and his message is timeless.
   
   CD 11: Twenty-One Qualities of Self-Made Millionaires: Brian Tracy - Here is another "father" of the modern self-development movement. I've been a Brian Tracy fan for years. He doesn't disappoint. In his simple, real world and practical way Brian Tracy gives you the step-by-step formula for becoming a millionaire.
   
   CD 12: Thin and Wealthy: Donna Krech - I didn't know what to expect from this CD. It isn't about diets and exercise; it's about taking care of yourself and increasing your wealth. I enjoyed it.
   
   CD 14: Share The Wealth: Bob Proctor - WOW! I was blown away. I've heard Bob "live" several times and each time I'm mesmerized. His information is right-on the mark. This CD is about the Universal Law of Circulation. It's a great listen.
   
   DVD 15: From Success to Significance: Dr. Sheila Murray Bethel - After I kept putting this in my CD player and nothing happened, I finally figured out this was the DVD. It was well worth watching. This final lesson is more personal than wealth building but a powerful lesson on which to end the series.
   
   Obviously some I liked better than others. It's all a matter of personal taste. The information was useful in all of them so all in all, it's well worth the money.
   
   This is not an inexpensive set of experts to buy, but you're getting "experts!" I came away with several new ideas for changing my life and attitude for the positive. I recommend this set if you're serious about personal and financial development. Where else are you going to get all of this knowledge in one place?
   
   It's well worth every dollar if you can make many more dollars with just one new idea, "aha," or concept. And, it comes with its own carrying case to store all your discs.

No comments about Donald Trump- Building a Fortune in Business, 16 Disc Set w/FREE Travel Case.