5 comments about Greatest Secrets of the Coupon Mom.

1. I agree you don't need the book. If most people were wise they would go to the library and borrow the book. If your library does not have it request it.
   
   You can save money with double coupons not every place in the country has double coupon stores. But in our region we do. So your consumers request your stores do it. Their are groups through yahoo groups that teach you how to save money. I find the people who critique the most about supposively not saving money don't really want to make the effort. Let's face it coupons are a lot of work. Stuff this woman teaches I knew for the most part. I am always learning. But you can get deals with coupons at your local department stores too. It is what people are willing to compromise to do. Most people who don't want to change their brand favorites are definately not going to fair well with coupons. It is all about flexability. Not to mention I think her goal was to in the end help the needy. I think that is commendable in itself. In fact I have donated several items this way. I am all for helping in our community by doing her tactics because that is what is about. In this economy you never know if it could be you being the recipiant of having to depend on the local food pantry. If anything else I think that is what the point of the book is. I found out through the guidepost about this book. Later I found it at the local library. I live in a rural area but I drive to shop too. I just do my shopping where I work. If you go out to get your hair done, work, driving the kids to school then make use of your trips. There are lots of people who live in the rural areas and travel one time a week or once a month. It is a matter of planning.



2. I want to break this book down for you. Look at it in 3 parts.
   
   1st part- Common knowledge and same mission statement repeated over and over again.
   
   2nd part- Plugging her website which is more $ to spend.
   
   3rd part and comprises HALF of the total book- Telling you to donate food to charity. Nothing wrong with donating food, but it takes half the book to tell you this.
   
   I will take the 17.99 that I spent at a bookstore for this as a learned lesson.



3. RECEIVED PROMPTLY. HAVE BEEN READING THIS AND HAVE FOUND A GREAT DEAL OF INTERESTING INFORMATION.



4. book was helpful in some ways very basic information
   good for newbies to the craft of saving money.........
   over all a good book.



5. Each year, my husband gets a cost of living increase. It's always eaten up by rising cost of living. That's expected. What isn't expected is the economy's increase has also eating up his other raises over the past couple of years. Our biggest expense is food and household products. Please know, we are fairly frugal and I really thought this is just how life is going to be. I didn't think we had any control. That's how I felt before reading Nelson's book.
   
   Before I go further, I want to say that we've tried this coupon thing before. In fact, if you read the back of GREATEST SECRETS OF THE COUPON MOM, she describes us perfectly. Here's what it says.
   
   "You tried clipping coupons once. You even made a grocery shopping list to go with them. And how did that work out for you? If you're like most consumers, you ended up with an industrial-strength headache and vow never to try that again!"
   
   "It's no wonder that in spite of massive promotion by the grocery and coupon industries, fewer than 2 percent of the $300 billion of grocery coupons printed are ever used. Clipping coupons can be a pain!"
   
   "Here's the dilemma: You really need to cut your food costs. And the billions of dollars of coupons that could help you are at the bottom of a landfill. This is serious. You need help! You need a Mom to do all the hard work for you!"
   
   That fit me perfectly!
   
   In her book, Nelson teaches you how to become a coupon expert. The steps seem easy enough. She also says to go to her free interactive website and print out a shopping list for your supermarket.
   
   The book committed me to the idea, but the website got me excited. It will take time to reap a serious reward, but I feel that it's like starting a new business. We'll have to invest first and later see the "serious" payoff. I'm not doing this to save a few bucks though. I am doing this to save some serious money. We have a family of five. Our monthly cost of household products extends over $1,000 each month. If I could cut this in half or at the very least, by 25%, I'd be thrilled. Nelson says I can do it. Steve, the accountant, says it's possible with what he's read, both in her book and on-line. It will be a lot of work and a major change, but I'm willing.
   
   always eaten up by rising cost of living. That's expected. What isn't expected is the economy's increase has also eating up his other raises over the past couple of years. Our biggest expense is food and household products. Please know, we are fairly frugal and I really thought this is just how life is going to be. I didn't think we had any control. That's how I felt before reading Nelson's book.
   
   Before I go further, I want to say that we've tried this coupon thing before. In fact, if you read the back of GREATEST SECRETS OF THE COUPON MOM, she describes us perfectly. Here's what it says.
   
   "You tried clipping coupons once. You even made a grocery shopping list to go with them. And how did that work out for you? If you're like most consumers, you ended up with an industrial-strength headache and vow never to try that again!"
   
   "It's no wonder that in spite of massive promotion by the grocery and coupon industries, fewer than 2 percent of the $300 billion of grocery coupons printed are ever used. Clipping coupons can be a pain!"
   
   "Here's the dilemma: You really need to cut your food costs. And the billions of dollars of coupons that could help you are at the bottom of a landfill. This is serious. You need help! You need a Mom to do all the hard work for you!"
   
   That fit me perfectly!
   
   In her book, Nelson teaches you how to become a coupon expert. The steps seem easy enough. She also says to go to her free interactive website and print out a shopping list for your supermarket.
   
   The book committed me to the idea, but the website got me excited. It will take time to reap a serious reward, but I feel that it's like starting a new business. We'll have to invest first and later see the "serious" payoff. I'm not doing this to save a few bucks though. I am doing this to save some serious money. We have a family of five. Our monthly cost of household products extends over $1,000 each month. If I could cut this in half or at the very least, by 25%, I'd be thrilled. Nelson says I can do it. Steve, the accountant, says it's possible with what he's read, both in her book and on-line. It will be a lot of work and a major change, but I'm willing.
   
   
   UPDATE: Not trying at 100%, Steve (hubby) and I saved $160 the first month. So instead of having to raise the budget for food, we're lowering it. Yes, that's with milk at a $4.50 per gal which is more than a gal of gas right now.

5 comments about The Complete Idiot's Guide to Buying Foreclosures, 2nd Edition (Complete Idiot's Guide to).

1. Provides a large amount of information in a concise but easy-to-read format. Considering all of the nuances of buying foreclosures, from the legal considerations to the occupation stage, the author does a good job of capturing and conveying the essentials. The author also does a good job of communicating both public and private foreclosure opportunities, which is important in many states.
   The author focuses primarily on 'investing in foreclosures' vs. 'buying a foreclosure for your primary residence.' Consider this when comparing to other books.
   Could have used more specific information on where to look for foreclosure opportunities, but the book does mention that actively searching and networking is a key to the game.
   Overall, a good, easy read with valuable information for anyone wishing to enhance their real estate expertise.



2. This is a comical and resourceful guide to foreclosures, offering an easy to read handbook on how to invest in govt or bank foreclosed properties. Other titles that helped me about foreclosures -- Investing With out Losing: The Beginner's Guide to Real Estate Tax Lien and Tax Deed Auctions



3. I've always enjoyed the Complete Idiot Guide series. Why? Because it delivers the message down to earth. It takes highly complexed legal matters and shows you step by step on how to invest in foreclosures. If you want to make money in foreclosures or have wanted to invest in them, you need to read this book.
   
   Matt
   Illustrator for the Ultimate Foreclosure Kit (ISBN 0978834658)



4. This is a very informative book. It doesn't mess around with a lot of fluff. I highly recomend it!



5. Sunday, May 6, 2007
   
   For a newbie, this is an excellent introduction. It shows you the way to proceed, if you're serious about trying. For the price, it is a bargin and should be kept as a reference. If you're like me, a yellow lighter can be quite helpfull. Well worth the price when you consider the large sums of money that can be involved.

5 comments about How to Be the Family CFO.

1. I really liked this book. I found the material to be comprehensive in nature and very easy to understand. Anyone who will read this book and apply these concepts and advice should be well prepared to be "Family CFO".



2. Kim's new book is a wonderful combination of common sense, organization and teaching from hard learned experiences. The book is like talking with Kim: easy to understand and will motivate you into action. Kim would tell you; do it yourself, you have your best interest at heart.



3. I've met Kim and I can almost hear her voice as I read this great book. It truly comes from the heart and her advice and lessons are right on target. It is timely, thorough, easy to read and understand...If you have ever used, spent, earned, invested or saved money, you should own this book.



4. As a Snider Method alumnus, I was eager to read this book to see what else Kim might have to say. I was delighted to see that not only is this is a great "how-to" manual for all facets of personal financial management, but is written with the humor and style that is so typical of Kim. When you meet her or are taught by her, you become her friend for life. This is great information, and a fun read!



5. This book is outstanding. I bought seven copies and gave them to my employees and family.

5 comments about Building Wealth One House at a Time: Making it Big on Little Deals.

1. John Schaub's book is a must read for all Real Estate Invesotrs. From the beginner to the experienced investor, all will gain some very useful insight from this book.
   It is not a get rich quick book hyping up Real Estate, but rather a very
   low no nonsense way to wealth build through Real Estate one house at a time. John Schaub is not just a promoter, he still buys and sells houses for his own portfolio today.
   It's great to learn from such a pro. He also does a couple of seminars a year on Real Estate. They are also a must for any one wanting to get into the Business (I've been to several of them-they are great!).
   Bottom line-Great Book, a must read.
   Reggie Lal, Be The Smart Investor . com



2. This is one of the outstanding real estates investment books on the market. John Schuab writes as one who has years of experience and knows the ropes.
   
   The advice in this book is rock solid: buy good houses in good neighborhoods, learn to buy at wholesale prices, and attract long-term low-maintenance tenants who will pay off your loans and improve your property value.
   
   One thing I really like about this book is that John Schuab sees the big picture. He may act in the short-term, but he always has a view of the long-term consequences. So, he doesn't' buy a house because it is priced well, or near a school or a shopping mall. He's thinking 20-30 years ahead to what that house's value and rental desirability will be way down the line.
   
   You have to admire that kind of thinking. That's the kind of thinking that invests in houses that will pay big dividends. Good investments and patience pay off in John Schuab's world. Patience is more than a virtue with John Schuab, it's a commandment. The guy still has the first house that he bought 30 years ago, and its one of his best rentals.
   
   Lincoln said, "I will study and get ready, and perhaps my chance will come." "Building Wealth One House at a Time" is one book worth studying.
   
   
   Terry Sprouse -- author of the book "Fix 'em Up, Rent 'em Out: How to Start Your Own House Fix-up and Rental Business in Your Spare Time"



3. This is just great basic but very valuable information, and a keeper for a long term reference for anyone investing in houses. I've been a student of John's (and also Peter Fortunato, who has also commented here), for years and always continue to learn from his good quality advise.
   
   I've bought several and give them away to folks that ask about how to invest in real estate and has been a great start for several and a good reference for experienced investors that often find themselves venturing into high risk, marginal properties instead of staying with a good old house.



4. This book is especially great for a beginner. It made concepts that I have read about in other books much clearer. If you are thinking about investing in real estate, this book will help you. If you have read other books and want to gain a better understanding, or have things simplified for you,this book will help you.



5. Schaub provides a common sense approach to building equity over time via long-term ownership of single-family homes. Purchase one or more homes per year at 90% or less of market value, place 10% or less of the purchase price down and pay no more than a 10% interest rate. If you then hold those homes until they double in value, you may be on your way to generating over $1 million in equity in less than 10 years. Apply the "Rule of 72" (72/projected property appreciation rate per year)to project the holding period necessary for the home to double in value.
   
   Unfortunately, Schaub does not advocate that a property should produce a positive cash flow, instead assuming that an investment home will appreciate 5% per year year in and year out. Such appreciation may or may not occur. What happens if you purchase a house that merely breaks even (rental revenues cover operating expenses, capital improvements and mortgage payments) but the house declines in value due to a falling local real estate market? This is currently the case throughout Florida, Nevada, Arizona, California, etc.
   
   Some of the non-investment advice is rather basic (i.e., don't quit your day job until you have an emergency cash reserve), but the book provides a feasible road map to generating wealth via single-family real estate investments.

5 comments about IRA Wealth: Revolutionary IRA Strategies for Real Estate Investment.

1. A good read, with lots of helpful information. Frankly, I wish there were MORE books on the subject of self directed IRA's, particularly real estate investing via self-directed IRA's. That being said, I'm convinced this is one of the best books you'll find on the subject.
   
   If you're looking to pump up your IRA with smart real estate investments, this is a good book to have on hand. Highly recommended.



2. This book got me started asking my financial advisor and the local bank financial advisors questions. I had been told I could not use any of my retirement funds to invest in real estate. I know better now and so do they.
   Good book, this type of investing comes with risks and it is expensive because an intermediary has to be used (just a couple of things to weigh into the decision to or not to use). Not something to jump into lightly, good beginning book but recommend getting additional information on the subject and discussing it with your accountant prior to attempting it. If you do decide to plung in, do extensive research on the intermediary companies - be sure they are legit, have bullet proof references and actually ask to talk to current clients. Compare costs, services and reputation - cheapest could cost you dearly in the long run.



3. This book is a great guide to the concept of self-directed IRAs. Everyone with an IRA or 401K over $50,000 should be considering this option. There is no limit on the returns you can realise in your IRA account. Take this authors advise and go for mazimun returns on investment you control. It's legal and it makes sense. This is one of the stategies every women needs to understand to gain financial independence. Knowledge and a wealthy mindset as recommended in "A Man Is Not A Financial Plan!" helpA Man Is Not A Financial Plan! make women wealthy and wise.



4. Loved this book, it helps when dealing with your IRA and 401K rollovers and envestments.



5. I prefer the "Private Money" equity lending book reveiwed previously, but this one turned out to be informative too. I had originally cancelled my order, but got it anyway. Good information on originating and purchasing real estate notes (discount notes from lenders/banks), and great if you are looking to find an alternative to the stock/bond market funds that most people have their IRAs invested in.

5 comments about Fix 'em Up, Rent 'em Out: How to Start Your Own House Fix-up & Rental Business in Your Spare Time; or, Investing in Real Estate and Creating Wealth with Fixer-Upper Houses.

1. Having read numerous books on investing in real estate, I agree with a lot of the other reviewers on this site that these books' strategies don't apply to a lot of people. No matter what the infomercial or the tag line on the books state, you often need more start-up funds than the average person has. In this book, though, Sprouse gives advice to the "average" person and does not take a get-rich-quick approach to real estate. Instead, he has an almost zen-like approach to fixing up and renting out homes--start slowly and enjoy the journey (even when it is difficult). The advice is straightforward and can work in any type of real estate market, which is especially important now when so many house flippers are in trouble.



2. This is a great book for those looking to learn more about the work involved in and the strategies for making money buying homes that need work. Sprouse covers the main issues involved in selecting, financing, fixing and renting out (or living in) fixer uppers. With all the foreclosures on the market right now, there maybe no better time to purchase a home that needs work in order to make a few repairs and hold the property while the market rebounds. This is a great resource for those looking to take on the risks, work and rewards of the current housing market.



3. Terry Sprouse's was very helpful. I appreciated the way he helped me figure out how to assess whether a property would be profitable, how to find tenants and how to make the tax laws work for me.
   
   Even in this depreciated housing market, all too often finding a house that will be profitable is a trick. It requires the right house, the right price, the right renters and an understanding of the tax considerations.



4. 
   
   I found this book to be loaded with sound advice. I was able to gleam much information based on the authors actual experience in the rental property business. Not only was his experience appreciated but I also appreciated the fact that he was able to start this venture while still keeping his current job.
   
   In chapter two, Terry covered some of the reasons our family has gotten started into the buying and fixing up of rental properties. Retirement and concerns with the current state of the economy ranked high for us. As we approached the age of 40 we were looking for a better way to secure our future retirement years. Since my husbands work field is in home building & remodeling it seemed foolish not to use our knowledge and skills to work for us. This book helps us learn the areas of the rental business we are not so familiar with.
   
   I think anyone reading this book would feel confident to try the rental property business. In Terry's book he covers the best way to learn, by watching and than doing it yourself. He also supplies plenty of tips about what to watch for when considering a property you want to purchase. Not all properties will work in our favor. Terry makes several points as to some of the things you need to watch out for. All very good and needed advice for anyone starting out.
   
   Let's face it we all wish we had a bag of extra money lying around so we can buy our first property. We didn't! This is a big challenge for many people who wish to get started. Terry discusses different types of financing so you can consider what would work best in your situation. Terry also suggests his favorite method of starting out which allows you to takeadvantage of the
   1997 Taxpayer Relief Act. This is valuable information.
   
   My favorite chapters included Terry's wise advice on how to keep track of items for tax purposes and how to handle problems with tenants. With 6 children, I especially appreciated his understanding on how to involve children in the process. I have read several real estate books and none have ever touched on this topic.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone curious about the rental property business. Not only is it easy to read and understand but it is also ideal for anyone wanting to start out fixing up homes or for anyone already involved in the rental property business. We all have so much to share about our experiences and Terry does just that, he shares his experience with a great outlook to the future that others can follow so that they to can succeed.



5. I have long been intrigued about investing in real estate but have hesitated because there are so many scam artists out there willing to trade on one's naivete and lead you down paths that will end in ruin.
   
   Making money in real estate the old-fashioned way -- by the kind of hard work and staying power that Terry Sprouse advocates -- appeals to both my conservative self and my risk-taking self. For people like me who haven't yet taken the dive, the best part of this book is the author's upbeat conclusion that you can accomplish far more than you ever imagined possible if you're willing to invest the time and learn the business. If you are intimidated, as I am, by the thought of even picking up a screwdriver, this kind of encouragement is invaluable. Terry Sprouse is a credible advocate because he's been there, and truly has done that.

5 comments about Independent Builder: Designing & Building a House Your Own Way (Real Goods Independent Living Books).

1. This tells you how to design a house for you. Not just a house out of a book, but one that takes your living patterns into account. Don't want a formal living room? Don't put one in! Also reminds you if you want to live in the house a long time, to make room for handicapped access that may be needed later. Design your kitchen and baths the way you live! Have fun! ;-)



2. Sam Clark uses up half the book before he gets into the nitty-gritty of construction methods. This really IS a book about house DESIGN as well as construction. As such, it's an EXCELLENT book for someone who's starting from scratch to create their own house. The approach is extremely methodical, treating mindsets and goals as elements of the design process equal in importance to elevation drawings.

   The illustrations bear particular attention. The (black and white) photographs are well composed, and have high contrast to clearly delineate the features that are supposed to be of interest. The line drawings are rather funky looking (in part because Clark appears not to own a ruler), but nevertheless do a very good job of illustrating what the text is talking about. This is the case for three reasons: (1) they were created by the author, who knew EXACTLY what part of the text needed visual aids; (2) their rulerless nature means that Clark can emphasize particular features rather than focus on strict scale drawings; and (3) each one is sized independently to take up as much space as is required to depict the subject matter, without worrying about "wasting" some page area. The end result is that the text and illustrations fit together well to make a unified whole.

   For more detail on the Building part of creating a house, I'd recommend "Do-It-Yourself HOUSEBUILDING" by George Nash. But because Nash's book doesn't come close to Clark's for clarity, I'd first read Clark's book cover-to-cover. Then I'd keep Sam Clark's book open to the same subject area so that you can step back and get a clear overview as you get confused in the details of the Nash book.




3. For the owner-builder looking to educate her/himself, sifting thru the oceans of books to read is tough. This one is definitely worth the time. Clark takes a no-nonsense, unpretentious approach. The text is easy to read and in plain language that lay people can understand. Focuses mostly on conventional stick-building, but there are lots of great ideas (in the "doing it yourself on a budget" theme) that apply to any building style.



4. I have been researching owner building for almost a year now and this is the first and only book I've found that both had all the information I needed, and presented it in a way that a layman could understand. Five thumbs up.



5. This is the first book I've found that actually addresses living patterns in home design. The book describes the fact that people can be uncomfortable sitting in a huge living space and actually crave the need for smaller spaces like alcoves. Social behaviours and traffic patterns while entertaining are studied and factually explains what makes a room feel comfortable or homey. With traffic patterns and accessibility as the basis for the design half of the book, Clark provides a solid foundation for design fundementals and the why behind it.
   
   The second half of the book covers home building. A s a complete novice in this area, I can't vouch for the accuracy of the information, but it does seem quite comprehensive in its description, demystifying the building process, and empowering owners to monitor their contractors with an informed eye, while giving insight to the bigger picture and mindset of contractors. I think this understanding will help communication between owners and contractors and make homebuilding a smoother process. Of particular interest, I found the load calculations for foundations fascinating as it wasn't something I had ever considered in home building as it is something the architecht waves his magic pencil to produce.
   
   The book is written in a familiar tone the layperson will relate and understand, and while it doesn't shirk the industry jargon, explainations are forthcoming, making it easy to understand and simple to follow.
   
   I've read quite a few books on home building and have done extensive research on the internet. This book covers design priciples and the why not found elsewhere. I highly recommend this book as the foundation to anyone planning and building their own home.

5 comments about Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out.

1. I purchased this book for my son after seeing Farrah on TV a while back. He was very impressive during the interview. I bought the book in hopes that my son who was 11 at the time would actually read it. To my surprise, he blew threw it and told me that it was his favorite book. With that endorsement, I would recommend other young men to read the book as well. Good food for the soul.



2. OK, I'm not tryin' to hate but it seems that if you are not a cute, very ambitious 8-year old who happens upon a mentor with the desire and the resources to help you out, then this book is just a heart-warming, rags-to-riches story, period. This is more of a "how it happened to me" than a "how to" book. I am pleased to see what can happen when intense, focused desire is aimed in a positive direction...and glad that he is reaching back to help others.



3. Say this kid speak at a Conference. He is a nice guy and appears to be pretty well grounded.
   However, this book stinks. I bought it thinking I could share it with the youth group I'm involved with. Thought it may be interesting. The book is a major bore. A Sleepeer. Picked it up several time thinking it would get better and more interesting, but no substance ever evolved in the chapters. Do not waste your energy or time on this book!



4. Visionaire - to follow your vision to become a millionaire (at any age) - now that's real. Farrah is an inspiration and I can directly relate to the story. Great book, it's not all about the money but being the best person you can be, learning and growing along the way. Motivation gets you going but Determination see's you thru...
   Highly Recommended...!



5. What were you doing when you were 19 years old? That awkward in-between time when you're no longer a child, but not quite an adult. As a 19 year old, I was a student at Penn State University who couldn't quite organize myself to get to my first class on time. Mind you, this first class didn't start until 11 o'clock in the morning! I've heard it said that young people need to go through a carefree stage, however, I was more responsible academically at 16.
   
   As a parent of school aged kids, I sometimes wonder what should be expected of children and Farrah Gray author of Reallionaire: Nine Steps to Becoming Rich from the Inside Out has me still contemplating this idea. Farrah wrote this book as a 19 year old millionaire.
   
   I first saw Farrah Gray when Reallionaire was released in 2005. The young entrepreneur was a guest on Tavis Smiley's show on PBS. During the show, Gray talked about the building blocks to his success.
   
   At four years old Gray would dress himself in his Sunday best and make business cards out of cardboard. For a make believe briefcase, he'd empty out a box. At six years old, Gray went door to door selling lotions he'd mixed himself from old lotion bottles he found at home. At seven Farrah started a business club with 15 other inner city children. When he was 14, Farrah started a teen-oriented food company, which later made him a millionaire.
   
   According to Farrah, the nine steps to success include: understanding the power of a name, building an all-star mentoring team and having the ability to move forward despite failures.
   
   After reading Gray's book, I believe he is in fact a prodigy, still I'm in a quandary about whether Gray's natural gifts--thirst for success, self-discipline, curiosity about the adult world and the uncanny ability to follow directions--could and should be instilled in other children as early as pre-school.
   
   Or perhaps we should just let kids be kids.
   
   The answer, I think, lies somewhere in between. While I'm glad I had a childhood, full of long days outside playing (unsupervised) in the summer and sledding in the winter, by 19 although I was in college, I wasn't exactly setting the world on fire. In my 20s I had plenty of ambition to go around, but limited direction. Perhaps some life skills training early on would have helped me along in life.
   
   One of the keys to Farrah's success was in the fact that he was exposed to so much. His mother and an older brother were both entrepreneurs. So perhaps the best word of advice for parents, is to simply set a good example. Blaze a trail and the children will follow.

5 comments about The Options Workbook: Fundamental Spread Concepts and Strategies for Investors and Traders, 3rd Edition.

1. This books explains most option constructions and how to calculate there potential profit. If you need to train yourself in spreads concepts, this training manual is for you. First the spread is explained and then some calculation examples are given. Don't expect a when to use these spreads manual. It's not there. This is a excellent book for training yourself in setting up all kind of option structures and know what the costs are and profits. Also all the Greeks are explained in detail, and the first manual that makes it understandable for me :-)



2. I am an amateur stocks and options trader. I have read, and continue to read, many books about the markets, about stocks, and about options. Options are more interesting to me than any other investing medium because of the ability to make quick gains and because of the innate limitation of losses. With so many options plays in existence, it's easy to get confused.
   
   I picked up The Options Workbook and it cleared away much of the mystery of options investing. This book outlines the most common options plays including spread concepts, butterflies, condors, and many other trading techniques. It contains a primer that teaches about the Greeks, and about how to read the fundamentals on potential investments.
   
   I didn't find a lot about chart reading technique n this book, but you can get that from other excellent books. Part of this book's strength is found in its quick charts that show, at a glance, exactly how to execute most options strategies for upward and downward moving markets. Since I have read this book, I have traded nothing but options and have grown my portfolio steadily. I'm no longer interested in buying stocks; they are simply too expensive and slow moving.
   
   Hope this helps.
   
   - Craig Nybo, co-author of Total Human: The Complete Strength Training System



3. I picked up this book in preparation for an interview I was having in the equity structured products desk at Morgan Stanley. Although I had taken a Financial Derivatives class at Wharton, this book helped explain the basics. It goes through all of the fundamental and basic strategies, as well as spreads. The value in the book is in doing the examples and working out the max gains, loses, break-evens etc. It seems basic but as you begin to put together more complex trades these exercises stay with you and guide your understanding. The book also does a decent job of explaining the Greeks and volatility. You won't come away ready to put on any overly complex trades, but you might be comfortable putting on your first call back spread knowing what your risk and reward profile is.



4. Haven't been able to put it down.The questions after each chapter really help you make sure you get the info.I can't wait to finish the rest of the book.The author has a great way to simplify the information.



5. Saliba describes each of his fundamental spread concepts and strategies in plain simple english, yet so concise, almost skeletal with such verve that I decided to construct a wall chart reflecting its contents.
   
   The wall chart now sits proudly on my wall ( in the presence of 3 other wall charts ) and shows the 7 categories of option strategies - Synthetics, Insurance, Directional/Neutral, Directional, Either Direction, Non Directional and Volatility and their sub categories etc.
   
   For this reason I think that Salibas book is perfect for the beginner.

5 comments about Your First Year in Real Estate: Making the Transition from Total Novice to Successful Professional.

1. I'm a real real estate agent and mortgage broker in Florida. I found this book great for beginners; it helped me find the right agency and gave me an introduction to the profession. The book is full of simple principles to send you in the right direction and help you build good work habits. It guided me organize my efforts and gave me an interesting perspective on the industry; the book contains a great overview. I highly recommend this book for anyone starting the field, like new associates or pre-licensed people interested in becoming agents.
   
   Agents or brokers that have been in the field for a while may want to seek a more advanced book.



2. Contains great insight on finding the right company and focusing on improving yourself. Good information about avoiding common pitfalls. Some decent tips on financial independence. Overall mostly a motivational book.



3. As a Real Estate Marketing Consultant, I have find this book very useful in assisting my first and second year real estate agent clients. It is basic, but realistic. A good place to start!



4. I am pleased that I purchased this book. The first two chapters have already benefited me tremendously. I used Dirk's techniques to interview with three companies before making my decision as to who to place my license with. I hope everyone finds this book as beneficial as I did as a new agent. I also enjoy that it is a very easy to read and understand text. I will buy the remainder of Dirk's books in the future.



5. I have been doing real estate for a few years. However this is the book that I think that all brokers in charge should tell their new agents to read.I also think that even the seasoned agents could learn a thing or two.