Rating: 
Summary: If It Doesn't Go Up Don't Buy It
Review: I am writing this review from the perspective of a small investor, although all investors would benefit from reading this book . Since 2001 I had lost enough money that it frightened me to even attempt to continue investing. I was unwilling to trust any financial advisor ever again. Enter Al Thomas, the author of "If It Doesn't Go Up Don't Buy It". This is a no nonsense easy to understand book on investing. If your investment is not making money get rid of it - and fast!! Following this simple rule either makes you money or, if you do lose, it is a minimal amount. No more hanging on for dear life to an investment that continues to tank as you hope it will one day turn around. Al Thomas' advice is not mired in emotion or sensationalism. He is so clear in stating why and how he does things, that you will see the light go on. The book contains his favorite references for investment opportunities and recommendations, including his own web site www.mutualfundmagic.com. So calm down, take courage, and get control of your own finances. With his help you will even enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good with a Caveat
Review: Al Thomas has written a very good book that uses the technique of "upgrading". This is where you shift your investments to the best perfoming vehicles. He recommends the use of a newsletter No-Load Fund*X, though you can also use Investor's Business Daily for his method. The main recommendation for this technique is for mutual funds, though he also mentions its use for stocks. He claims "You can average 30 to 40 percent annually over any five-year period of time." (pg. 2) This was written in 1998. Can it still hold true?
One weird part of this book is the chapters on stocks, options, commodities and bonds (pg. 39-99 of his 121 page book). While the ideas he advocates are useful, he ends EACH of these 4 chapters with the rule "Don't trade individual stocks!", "Don't trade options!" etc. etc. There are things that I learned from each of these chapters, and evidently Mr. Thomas has traded and made money in these investments, I just find it odd that he ends these chapters the way he does. He continually refers to the fact that he is lazy, and that instead he likes to use his mutual fund upgrading method, which only takes one hour per month. He writes about the large returns that are possible in these other investments, but prefers to do a monthly upgrade to his funds.
His book is a refreshing look at investing. Even first time investors can understand what he is saying. Mr. Thomas cuts through what a lot of Wall Street would have you believe. He doesn't like buy-and-hold, fundamentals, brokers, analysts, reports, P/Es, value investing, research, limited partnerships, IPOs, stock seminars, stock software, economists and prospectuses, among others. He is however, a huge fan in the use of stop orders. In some ways he reminds me of author Nicolas Darvas.
One interesting part of this book is that he wrote it in 1998, and warns of a large bear market ahead. He reminds us that there have been many bear markets behind us, and that the future will be no different. Those who side-step bear markets through market timing will avoid punishing losses, and waiting, sometimes a long time, to recover their initial investment. In this he reminds me of author Sy Harding. He also likes timing services such as Fabian's, or Pitbull Investor which will keep you out of severe bear markets. Timers like Thomas tend to get whipsawed during trendless or choppy markets. Oh, one other thing: Thomas comments, for example, on how Fabian gave a signal before the '87 crash. True enough, but the signal came on 10/16/87, a Friday. Even if you had acted immediately, the sell order would have went through on the following Monday, October 19, when the DJIA fell 508 points. Sure the signal was given, but it wouldn't have helped at all. Now there were warnings from others in the fall of '87, but Fabian in'87 was too late for investors. Also, Thomas recommends that you review your portfolio monthly. Even if Fabian got his signal out earlier, would that have helped if you check your portfolio at month's end?
I still recommend this book. While a very short book, and an easy read, it covers what its title states, says what you should, and shouldn't do, and keeps your mind focused on the performance of your investments. Which is what counts in the end.
Rating:
Summary: Stock Market Trend Following
Review: An easy to read and understand book explaining stock market trend following and how to make money using this simple technique.
Rating:
Summary: If it Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, by Al Thomas
Review: As an end-of-day investor I was looking for an edge. Al Thomas' book is just that edge. In his book he gives very readable, straight forward advise on how to use mutual funds to build your portfolio. The days of buy and hold are over as Al points out. You need to be able to make money in up markets and down markets. So how is a person to invest. Al gives a detailed approach which is both simply and brillant. He has many years successful experience upon which to base his recommendations. The book can be read in an afternoon, but the value of the information will last a life time. Enjoy! R Charles Curry, Jr MD
Rating:
Summary: If it Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy It, by Al Thomas
Review: As an end-of-day investor I was looking for an edge. Al Thomas' book is just that edge. In his book he gives very readable, straight forward advise on how to use mutual funds to build your portfolio. The days of buy and hold are over as Al points out. You need to be able to make money in up markets and down markets. So how is a person to invest. Al gives a detailed approach which is both simply and brillant. He has many years successful experience upon which to base his recommendations. The book can be read in an afternoon, but the value of the information will last a life time. Enjoy! R Charles Curry, Jr MD
Rating:
Summary: The Small Investors Bible
Review: Easy read. Humorous, to the point and on the MONEY! Al Thomas with out a doubt is the small investors Guru. In 2000 and 2001 I lost 25% of my investments due to buy and hold. I read Al's book three times at the end of 2001. In 2002 I made 2% on my investments and so far in 2003 I have made 20%. I am 3% shy of my losses since 2000. All this in a tough Bear market. Making money in a Bull market is easy, knowing when to buy and sell in a Bear market is key. His points on cash positions, stop limits and charts are just a few pointers out of several that helps you hold onto and increase your investment portfolio. This book is well worth the price. Thank you Al for your advice and honesty for the little guy.
Rating:
Summary: For the "small time" investor.
Review: I am a "small time" investor. One of the little guys in the world of finance. I was overjoyed to find some investing help and guidance to put into my brain that actually made sense.
Rating:
Summary: Real Investing
Review: I heard Al a couple of years ago on a radio show here in Phoenix.
I only caught a small amount of the show, I thought this is not what I have been told by my investment advisor which was the popular buy and hold system. Al made a lot of sense to me, in a very short time, Enough to buy his book and learn his method. I also learned a lot about the wonderfull world of brokers. They make the snake oil salesmen look like saints.
Do yourself and anyone you can pass it on to a favor. Get this book!
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful book on Investing!
Review: I love this book. Al Thomas teaches you the most profitable and least risky way of investing in Mutual Funds in this book. This book will show you how to make 30% to 50% annual returns in Bull markets and how to avoid losing money in Bear markets. Al Thomas exposes the lies of wall street pundits and analysts and shows you the only way to consistently make money in the markets without taking huge risks in a simple and easy to do steps. Well done Al.
Rating:
Summary: Learning to "FISH" for the right funds
Review: I loved this book! Mr. Thomas pulls no punches in exposing the myths we have all been fed from Wall St. He made me realize that I've been hypnotized into "buying & holding" for many years and not protecting any gains in the process. Mr. Thomas shows how to make money when the market is going up and not lose your shirt when it's falling.
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime" Mr. Thomas is truly teaching me how to fish!
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