Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, Fourth Edition

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, Fourth Edition
Average customer rating:

Very fast, superve conditions

Difficult to use, disorganized

Thanks you

new bk delivered within a week

This is a review of only the CD - i.e., Excel model

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, Fourth Edition
McKinsey & Company Inc. , Tim Koller , Marc Goedhart , and David Wessels
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Investment Valuation: Tools and Techniques for Determining the Value of Any Asset, Second Edition

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Valuation for Mergers, Buyouts, and Restructuring (Wiley Finance)

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Building Financial Models with Microsoft Excel: A Guide for Business Professionals

Accessories:

Valuation Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises and Tests to Help You Master Valuation (Wiley Finance)

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies (Wiley Finance)

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies (Wiley Finance)

ASIN: 0471702188

Book Description

Hailed by financial professionals worldwide as the single best guide of its kind, Valuation, Fourth Edition with CD-ROM combines is thoroughly revised and expanded to reflect business conditions in today’s volatile global economy. Valuation provides up-to-date insights and practical advice on how to create, manage, and measure an organization’s value. Along with all-new case studies that illustrate how valuation techniques and principles are applied in real-world situations, this comprehensive guide has been updated to reflect the events of the Internet bubble and its effect on stock markets, new developments in academic finance, changes in accounting rules (both U. S. and IFRS), and an enhanced global perspective. This package contains a solid framework that managers at all levels, investors, and students have come to trust.

Customer Reviews:

Very fast, superve conditions.......2007-06-08

I strickly recommend this shop: just 10 days to Barcelona and new!

Difficult to use, disorganized.......2007-04-12

I used this book for an MBA finance class but I am not keeping it as a reference. I felt it was convoluted and badly organized. It was difficult to look up subjects using the index when you wanted to just crack the book and find a formula or look for something specific. Since that's what I would do if I kept the book as a reference, the value for me is not there. I'm looking for a different book that is better organized and easier to understand for my reference book.

Thanks you.......2007-02-12

I got the book right away and it is still in perfect condition. I am absolutely satify with market order. Thanks you so much.

new bk delivered within a week.......2007-02-11

the shipping fee is free and i got the bk within a week. Most importantly, it's a new bk which price is nearly half of the original price in the bookstore!! awesome!

This is a review of only the CD - i.e., Excel model.......2006-03-28

Let me say that I like the McKinsey model and use it a lot to value certain companies. Overall, I found that the Results section of the model really helped me understand the detailed nuances of the McKinsey model, especially given that the book itself is sometimes vague.

I gave the CD product 4 stars, instead of 5 stars, because I felt that:

1) The PDF instructional manual on using the model is woefully inadequate.
2) There were a few serious errors in the model.
3) The model took the easy way out on a lot of difficult valuation items.

1. The PDF manual is woefully inadequate. Reading it, you think the model is self-explanatory, but it really isn't. You have to really study the numbers to understand what assumptions the model wants you to make. In this regard, the book is marginally helpful, the examples in the book is slightly more helpful. In many cases, I had to turn to other valuation texts to figure out a few things.

2. The model is for the most part, error-free. But I did catch two calculation errors that I will share, so that others can avoid the pain. First, in the Forecast Drivers tab, there is a data row called Capex. It looks back at the optional Capital Expenditure line as an off-balance sheet item in 'Historical Data.' This is inconsistent with the book's data driven approach and specification that CapEx = change in Net PPE + Depreciation. You may want to recorrect the Capex formula to specify this. Why the model asks us to manually specify the Capital Expenditures in Historical Data, I have no idea.

Another error I saw is in the Results tab. In the Ratios section, there is one called 'Enterprise value / EBITA'. If you look at the formula, it points to EBIT. You need to correct this by having it point to Reported EBITA.

3. I think the model takes the easy way out on a lot of the most difficult items. For example, the book advocates treatment of R&D as a capitalized asset, and yet the model excludes this entirely. The book advocates dealing with the market value of debt, but the model just incorporates the book value of debt. The model leaves as an entry item the value of the lease as a balance sheet item, when it you could easily just as well incorporate extensions to model this. This is the same for options, convertible debt, customer receivables, unutilized/discontinued assets, etc.

Basically, the book is aggressive in advocating a firm estimation of operational value, NOA value, and Debt/DE claims, but the model is much less ambitious.

This does not make the model useless. It's a great data-driven model. It just requires the user to build sophisticated extensions to deal with the most complicated parts. At the same time, this is no cheap model. They are probably making lots of money on it. I would have expected the folks at McKinsey to provide extensions to handle the most complicated aspects of valuation, in addition to the core items.

Average customer rating:

Caveat emptor
Everything you need to know in finance - superb!

The New CFO Financial Leadership Manual
Steven M. Bragg
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Accounting Best Practices

ASIN: 0470082003

Book Description

Filled with pragmatic insights, proactive strategies, and best practices, The New CFO Financial Leadership Manual, Second Edition is destined to become your essential desktop companion. This thorough guidebook is essential reading for the CFO requiring an overview of strategies, measurement and control systems, financial analysis tools, funding sources, and management improvement tips.

Customer Reviews:

Caveat emptor.......2007-03-09

I browsed the book and found the table of contents to contain many interesting topics. With the "surprise me!" function, I happened upon the Sale and Leaseback discussion, a topic with which I am familiar professionally.

In my view, the author completely failed to grasp sale-leaseback decision analysis. Leasing is another form of debt financing (with some nuances), which can be very expensive and administrative. Rating agencies and competent creditors will simply capitalize your lease payments (at the cost of debt) and treat it as debt. It actually reduces your debt capacity, not increase it as the author suggests (in his excess cash example). Also, having idle excess cash to borrow against is expensive as the cost of debt exceeds the returns you can use on cash. And buying shares (i.e. returning capital) to "prop up" the share price is an irresponsible, simplistic and inaccurate view.

The treatment of the topic surprised me. God help the company with a CFO that would think as the author does.

Everything you need to know in finance - superb!.......2004-07-14

I found this book very complete and comprehensive as a reference source. It covers the strategic and operational perspectives of the finance function. This is one of the best "CFO" books, together with "CFO Architect" and "CFO Handbook". A little bit overpriced - I would have put it in the US$60 range. Reading this book is like taking an advanced course in preparing yourself for the CFO career. It is very didactic and straightforward. A recommendation for the author: in a future edition, you might consider expanding on the topics of international finance, value based management and corporate restructurings.

Average customer rating:

The Handbook of Structured Finance
Arnaud de Servigny , and Norbert Jobst
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Structured Credit Handbook (Wiley Finance)
Collateralized Debt Obligations: Structures and Analysis, 2nd Edition (Wiley Finance)

ASIN: 0071468641

Book Description

Stay On Top of Every Major Issue in the Structured Finance Market and Learn Powerful New Models for Identifying, Measuring, Pricing, and Monitoring Your Deals

The Handbook of Structured Finance is a complete guide to the major issues facing investors in the structured finance market. Comprehensive and accessible, it provides the latest techniques for measuring and managing risk, finding optimum pricing, and taking advantage of leverage and market incompleteness, as well as models for debt and equity modeling.

Average customer rating:

Wonderful Book

The CFO Handbook
Mark Haskins , and Benjamin Makela
Manufacturer: McGraw-Hill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1556238517

Book Description

Obtain valuable guidance from today's financial leaders. First published to universal acclaim over ten years ago, The CFO Handbook has been updated and revised by editors Marke E. Haskins and Benjamin R. Makela to reflect changes in the profession during the tumult of the 80s and 90s. Among the many topics covered are: determining financial policies, budgeting, defining goals and rewarding performance; creating and implementing mission, values and strategy; assessing international risk and controlling global operations. The CFO Handbook is written for, and by, financial leaders! Just look at a few of the esteemed CFOs and/or financial professionals who have contributed chapters to this landmark volume: Robert M. Agate, Colgate Palmolive; Caroline Dorsa, Merck & Co.; Michael Grobstein, Ernst & Young International; Thomas G. Manoff, Saturn Corp.; Robert J. Chrenc, AC Nielsen; A. Nicholas Filippello, Monsato Company; George B. James, Levi Strauss & Co. . .and many more!

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful Book.......2000-06-14

Excellent book for anyone starting a business moving on to the next level. Gives a vbery intensive view of the position of the CFO and their responsibilities. Brought out many of the details of the position often overlooked. Kudos to the authors.

The Fundraising Planner: A Working Model for Raising the Dollars You Need (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series.)

Average customer rating:

Fundraising Plan
Plan, plan, plan!
Good Intro Book
A "real" working model

The Fundraising Planner: A Working Model for Raising the Dollars You Need (Jossey-Bass Nonprofit and Public Management Series.)
Terry Schaff , and Doug Schaff
Manufacturer: Jossey-Bass
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Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0787944351

Book Description

A good fundraising plan can make a vital difference in the quality of a nonprofit organization's programs and services. It can be the map by which the organization charts and secures its future. This step-by-step guide is designed to help you and your organization construct an operational fundraising plan that is appropriate to your specific funding needs. From meeting deadlines and scheduling special events to creating an overall plan for fundraising activities, The Fundraising Planner ensures that all activities fit together as a whole and support each and every program.

The model presented in this workbook is flexible and suited to multiple purposes. Use The Fundraising Planner and learn how to:

Create an effective overview plan
Formulate a calAndar of events, mailings, and strategies to attract contributions
Draw fundraising ideas from financial data
Strengthen your donor and prospect lists
- Survey your board to refine its mission
Produce a basic funding proposal and press kit
Prepare clear status reports for the board, development staff, and key fundraising participants
Track progress towards your funding goal

The authors have organized the workbook into four sections corresponding to the main stages of designing a fundraising plan:

Understanding the Big Picture
Deciding Plan Inputs
Putting the Plan Together
Monitoring the Plan

Within each section, chapters detail how to master an essential fundraising skill and offer "To Do" exercises to reinforce learning. The exercises allow you to build a cogent, practical fundraising plan. Additionally, there are real-life examples reflecting current fundraising issues across the country. The Fundraising Planner provides easy-to-follow advice to fundraisers from organizations of all sizes. With this valuable guide, you and your team can achieve greater efficiency in the day-to-day challenges of fundraising.

Customer Reviews:

Fundraising Plan.......2007-04-23

Great tool for fundraising planning. Workable model for creating a donation and fundraising plan for nonprofit companies.

Plan, plan, plan!.......2004-12-30

The Fundraising Planner does a nice job covering the "particulars" of planning without losing sight of the bigger picture. Like other titles in the Jossey-Bass series, this guide is helpful in structuring an approach and strategy for raising funds. Practical and well-written.

Good Intro Book.......2004-01-31

This is a pretty solid introductory book to fundraising, donor management, proposals, etc. If you are new to the business I would definitely recommend it, though more experienced people might not find it quite as helpful. (though there are still a some good nuggets of information)

A "real" working model.......2001-05-24

Terry & Doug Schaff have provided a virtual road map in The Fundraising Planner. The information is presented in a clear and well thought out manner presenting information that can be seamlessly inserted into your current programs. The planner illustrates how to develop, plan and implement the strategies necessary to conduct successful and accountable fundraising activities.

This book truly has something for everyone. From the neophyte to the seasoned professional, the Schaffs have provided a tool that will take your plans to the next level. The planner truly is a step-by-step guide that does not insult the reader with coddling phrases and usless data. Each chapter delves ever deeper into the raison d'etre for each mechanism used to move the fundraising process.

As a Development Director I found many applications within the planner that I can utilize to complement my planning activities. The real world applications provided after each step are valuable exercises as you facilitate your yearly planning process. The information presented is very timely, relevant and useful.

Book Description

Written for controllers, CFOs, accounting managers, and business managers, Fast Close incorporates Steven Bragg’s own personally tested guidelines to help professionals speed up the closing process, especially in response to Sarbanes-Oxley’s more time-sensitive requirements. Bragg outlines numerous key improvements that, when gradually implemented together, are guaranteed to shrink the closing process down to as little as one day. Chock-full of helpful flowcharts and checklists to help readers prevent delays and bring accounting department closing procedures up to date, Fast Close explores specific instructions for closing faster, common areas of delay and how to overcome them, required controls to keep financials accurate despite the fast close, and much more. Create financial statements faster . . . much faster . . . with the expert guidance found in Steven Bragg’s Fast Close.

Buy Low, Sell High, Collect Early and Pay Late: The Manager's Guide to Financial Survival

Average customer rating:

Best little Finance Book I have read
Dr. Levin is the guru of simplifying business concepts

Buy Low, Sell High, Collect Early and Pay Late: The Manager's Guide to Financial Survival
D. Levin
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall Trade
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0131094394

Customer Reviews:

Best little Finance Book I have read.......2007-01-30

I have been involved in finance in the construction industry for over 25 years. Of all of the books I have read on the subject Dr Levin's book is the most straight forward and in many ways the most valuable. He presents the world of finance in a simple common sense sort of way which is down to earth and easy to absorb. "Cash is King" and "Follow the Cash" stick with the basics and avoid the over complications that humans seem to love to add to everything in life. Read his book and you will find the time it takes to be very rewarding. Cheers!

Dr. Levin is the guru of simplifying business concepts.......2002-08-03

I have read this book, plus I had Dr. Levin as a professor in the Kenan-Flagler School of Business at UNC-Chapel Hill. He was a great teacher and his book's style and way of conveying business concepts was equally satisfying. This is not a book for the scholar, rather it is a very good book for those that want a quick, but substantive way to grasp the basics of everyday business. The title also belies Dr. Levin's laid back and easy-going style and sense of humor. He teaches and writes using sometimes folksy, but always perceptive stories and examples of the concepts and points he is trying to convey. If you want to get the basics of how a business operates, how cash flow works and why it is important, why "buying low and selling high" are not only simple concepts but critical guidelines for any business, of any size or scale or complexity . . . then Dr. Levin's book is for you.

Financial Risk Manager Handbook (Wiley Finance)

Average customer rating:

A must-have for the FRM exam
very satisfied
Good enough for what it claims
I Wish I Hadn't
Pro?! Huh?

Financial Risk Manager Handbook (Wiley Finance)
Philippe Jorion , and GARP
Manufacturer: Wiley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0471706299

Book Description

An essential guide to financial risk management and the best way to ace the GARP FRM(r) Exam
The Financial Risk Management Exam (FRM Exam) is given by the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) annually in November for risk professionals who want to earn FRM certification. Written with the full support of GARP and providing questions and solutions from previous exams, this is the definitive guide for those preparing to take the FRM Exam as well as a valued working reference for risk professionals.
Phillipe Jorion, PhD, MBA (Irvine, CA), is a Professor of Finance at the Graduate School of Management at UC Irvine. The Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP) oversees the FRM(r) Certification Program and is the leading association for risk professionals, with over 38,000 members worldwide.

Customer Reviews:

A must-have for the FRM exam.......2006-11-03

Jorion's book is indispensable (and, in my experience, sufficient) when preparing for the FRM exam; if you are taking it, think no more. An added bonus is the impressive number of typos and errors to test your knowledge :)

very satisfied.......2006-07-30

good to have a wide range of subjects in one handbook. it seems I don't need the other library for my everyday work

Good enough for what it claims.......2006-05-05

The people who have written reviews primarily have gripes that they didn't pass. They must have thought the book was THE ONLY RESOURCE they would need. I used this book and I did pass the exam. It wasn't the only resource I used though.

The publishers of the book even claim that using only this book will not help you pass the exam. It is an OVERVIEW text. It is a primer to help you delve into the material. This book will not substitute the large amount of qualitative reading and equation memorization that you'll need to do in order to pass.

I give it a 4 mainly because the book does what it claims and because some of the more negative reviews are too far-fetched. Remember to buy the version that applies to your test year.

I Wish I Hadn't.......2006-03-30

This book cost me the FRM last year. I made it the center of my study program. The book's writing is atrocious; there are gaps in what is covered; and there are many errors and misstatements. I wasted six weeks struggling with this book. When I finally realized my mistake, it was too late to rescue my study program, and I failed the exam. I am very disillusioned with Jorion and GARP. This shoddy, overpriced paperback makes me think they are in it just for the money. This year, I have signed up for the CFA exam instead. So far, I have been very impressed with their study materials.

Pro?! Huh?.......2006-01-08

Not detail in explaining concepts
Too few numerical examples
Content far too simple to be a desktop ref. in the dealing rm.
Poor editing and formatting
90% similar to the earlier edition.

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, 2nd Edition

Average customer rating:

Good intro but that is it
Nothing spectacular
Waste of Time
Good but bad Excel support
User-unfriendliness at its best

Valuation: Measuring and Managing the Value of Companies, 2nd Edition
Tom Copeland , Tim Koller , and Jack Murrin
Manufacturer: John Wiley & Sons Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Analysis for Financial Management

ASIN: 0471009938

Book Description

The spreadsheet for Valuation 3e is an easy-to-use, interactive tool that allows users to plug values into the valuation model developed in the book. The user inputs a company's historical income statements, balance sheet information, and economic forecast assumptions to produce a functional model in which potential cash flow, economic profits, and other pertinent metrics are determined to estimate the value of a company.

Valuation 3/e is a thorough update and revision of the best-selling Valuation 2/e. Valuation 3/e provides crucial insight into how a company's value can be determined and measured, managed and maximized.

System Requirements:
Pentium II PC or greater
Windows 98 or later
128MB RAM
20MB Hard Disk Space
Excel 97 / 2000 (Alone or part of Office 97 / 2000) w/Report Manager & Analysis ToolPak installed and enabled.
( Note: Formulas & Computations are not guaranteed in later versions of Excel)
Video Display: 800 x 600 recommended

Customer Reviews:

Good intro but that is it.......2007-08-03

This is a good intro to give the basics of valuation for "old economy" businesses. It determines the valuation of companies based almost exclusively on their cash flow over the previous few years to the analysis. Unfortunately it ignores too many issues that play an extremely important role in valuation. For example, the quality, background, knowledge of management, the products the company manufactures, the markets for these products, macroeconomic conditions, intellectual property, market position (i.e., oligopolistic? Is entry/exit difficult in the industry?). Not one of these issues is even touched upon!!! The authors seem to be implying that these issues are irrelevant!! Only the cash flow over the previous few years applied forward (i.e., discounted for present value) matters according to the book!!! Perhaps this type of mentality explains why the overwhelming majority of mergers and acquistions fail!!!!

Nothing spectacular.......2006-04-03

Unfortunately, for all the name brand that this book conveys, I think the cover seems to be the most intriguing part. There are much better ways for book peddling and the fact that a firm such as McKinsey allowed their name on the title of a book for the sake of a few sales, boggles this readers mind. The subject matter seems to be along the lines of the bull session with all bull and no session. No actual quantitative analysis is used throughout the book, and if anything more than an encyclopedic definition is learned from this book, I would be astounded. Save some money and go search online for some basic books on beginning valuation. By the way, those giving 5 stars either can't read English very well or are shills for McKinsey.

Waste of Time.......2005-04-12

Any book by Damodaran is far better for business managers and portfolio managers.

For portfolio managers, estimating the cash-flows is a small part of the valuation process, the easiest. As the financial field and practice is becoming more and more quantitative, the cutting edge of asset pricing is to estimate time-varying risk premiums. Actually, almost 90% of variation in stock prices come from risk shifts, not from news on company cash-flows.

If you are interested in asset pricing i would suggest a mix of damodaran (20%) and "Asset Pricing" by John Cochrane (80%).

Good but bad Excel support.......2004-01-29

I liked this book. In Russia it is one of the most popular books on valuatuion. But when I can get the perfect excel support for Investment Valuation by Aswath Damodaran or good web support for Valuation Methods and Shareholder Value Creation by Pablo Fernandez, I ask the authors, why don't they put supporting material in disk? I think that the price of their sowtware ($94.50) is too high compairing with the book ($56 with discount), because there is no supporting materials - only 1 spreadsheet (from my point of view does not conform to McKinsey, as the leader of consulting business). I hope, for the 4-th edition we will have a good excel support.

User-unfriendliness at its best.......2003-01-11

Hmm I wonder if those giving this book five stars actually work for McKinsey. As a practioner, I don't know anyone in the industry who has actually read this book. It looks impressive on the bookshelf, but the content is anything but impressive. A lot of topics are covered, but each one only superficially and the writing is extremely dry and boring. I actually found reading this volume *painful*, and I'm supposed to like this stuff since I do it for a living! My advice for any potential buyer is read a few chapters first before you shell out for it.

Missed Fortune: Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions--Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy?

Average customer rating:

FACTS the Insurance Agents Hope you NEVER KNOW
Get Your Fortune Back
Good read but be wary.
Although not for everyone, you would be remiss if you didn't learn the strategies.
Investment version of War & Peace

Missed Fortune: Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions--Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy?
Douglas R. Andrew
Manufacturer: Business Plus
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0446693502

Book Description

Missed Fortune. Dispel the Money Myth-Conceptions-- Isn't It Time You Became Wealthy?Why do people need this book?Financial independence. Wealth empowerment. Millions of people dream about prosperity, many even take steps to achieve it, but few actualize the goal. Why? Missteps - flawed strategies - something this book calls "money myth-conceptions."Missed Fortune empowers the reader with the knowledge to attain a greater degree of financial independence. Twenty-three reader-friendly chapters each reveal a wealth enhancement strategy that challenges common money myths, opening the way to personal prosperity.Who should read this book?Homeowners, IRA and 401k retirement plan participants, those desiring financial independence, retirees, and those already in a state of financial independence will all experience a meaningful transformation as they are enlightened by opportunities they didn't know existed.Why is Douglas Andrew an authority on this subject?As a successful financial analyst, lecturer and consultant for nearly 30 years, Douglas R. Andrew has enabled clients nationwide to dramatically increase their financial independence. His comprehensive knowledge of tax issues, experience in financial planning and unorthodox insight have proven an invaluable asset to thousands of individuals. In this book, he shares his tested recipe for enhancing financial liquidity, safety, rate of return, and tax benefits - with a unique ability to take complex financial issues and make them simple to the layperson.How is this book distinguished from other books on the topic?Rather than reporting on the attributes and habits of millionaires, this book outlines specific common sense, yet unconventional, financial growth strategies. These principles simply, thoroughly educate the reader on how to methodically reposition and leverage one's assets to substantially increase net worth. Readers are empowered by a clear plan for getting rich the right way - slowly and safely.

Customer Reviews:

FACTS the Insurance Agents Hope you NEVER KNOW.......2007-10-01

After readying this you will see the MOTIVATION for the Agents selling this line of BS, it will take most of you over 20 years to have any type of REAL NET return on your Life Insurance Policy. Want the TRUTH talk to an unbiased ACTUARY not a saleperson making a fortune off of your home equity. I am telling you when people finally realize what is taking place lawsuits will start to fly, IMO.

When did the Life Insurance Agent become a charitable organization?

Anyone who is believing this so called NEW way of thinking is either really bad with math or simply does NOT understand Life Insurance. There is a REASON you don't see REAL professionals using this concept they KNOW the TRUTH!!!

What is the ROI on my home Equity? MORE THAN ANY LIFE POLICY!!!!

After you learn how to subtract out all the commissions and fees, then the REAL cost of the death benefit, loan fees for your house loan fees for the life policy let's sit down and compare which approach works best. Having my house free and clear with NO COMMISSIONS to pay, no loans, and no INCREASING internal costs for the life insurance will BEAT any Life Policy I GUARANTEE IT!

Here is a shocker to reality. If you bought into this BS and mortgaged your house and placed the money into a life policy order a current statement for your policy showing the SURRENDER CASH VALUE in the first year, HOW MUCH did you LOSE? Then look at the 5th year how much have you LOST? Tenth year? Do the REAL MATH find out the REAL FACTS.

LIFE INSURANCE is one of the HIGHEST commissioned products in the financial industry FACT! Where do you think that money comes from, YOUR POCKET.

Here is a little KNOWN FACT there are currently MANY so called experts out there today TRAINING for a large fee many other life insurance agents how to SELL LARGE COMMISSIONED life insurance policies. They don't care if you need a policy or NOT they only care about SELLING a policy. Check the facts. Some are even paying for cruises for Seniors then encouraging them to apply for insurance. IT IS HIGHLY PROFITABLE to someone BUT NOT YOU the policyholder.

You will see many lawsuits in the coming years from these abuses when the you know what finally hits the fan.

By the way did you know that it was illegal for you stock broker to encourage you to take out a mortgage to buy a REAL INVESTMENT? It should also be illegal for Insurance Agents but it's not, well not YET, time will tell.

Where is Elliot Spritzer when you need him?

I wish more people would ask the harder questions before believing this new line of BS.

FACTS The INSURANCE AGENT want to hide from you: Insurance agents make about a 30-50% commission on term life insurance and around 90-95% commission on whole life products. Keep in mind that this is the first year commission on the premium and subsequent year commissions are much lower with an average of 6% per year for whole life products and 4% per year on term life insurance products.

One of the great problems with whole life is only an expert can tell if a policy you own or are considering will ever become a decent investment. James Hunt, actuary for the Consumer Federation of America, who has analyzed thousands of policies, notes that whole life policies hardly ever yield a reasonable return unless held for 20 years or more.
So if you buy one be prepared to pay into it for the very long haul.
The key to a whole life policy is its internal rate of return -- the yield on the policy after all fees and charges are subtracted. A competent analysis can determine at a minimum whether the weight of the fees and charges built into one of these policies will ever allow a worthwhile return. Such an analysis will also pinpoint the minimum amount of cash value that you can derive from a policy at any given time interval.
Some financial planners, actuaries and accountants can perform internal rate of return analysis on your policy. The Consumer Federation has a service that will do this, calculating the real return year by year and comparing it with other investments. The fee is $50 for the first policy, $35 for each additional. Call 603-224-2805 for more information.

Get Your Fortune Back.......2007-09-17

This is an excellent book with many examples of how changing your money management and especially you equity management strategy will result in greater wealth and safety in investing for you. The only reason I did not give it 5 stars is that the author belabors several points and essentially is just repeating the same material over and over. Other than that, the ideas and strategies are well worth looking at and the authors heart is in the right place.

Good read but be wary........2007-09-04

Like many of the other reviews, I agree the concept is interesting and makes sense for very specific cases. I would be causious of thinking this is for everyone who owns a home.

The concept in general is simple, which I like. If you can explain it to a 12 year old then I think you have a good grasp of the idea. Doug does a good job of breaking it down so that most of us can easily understand and probably explain it to a 12 year old. Applying it over the long term is something entirely different. In California most people do refinance or sell every 5 so years. This concept at least tells them to focus on saving rather than spending it, something that most Americans do not do well.

I would recommend reading it and understanding it but talking to several advisors and other people who have experience with this before acting.

Although not for everyone, you would be remiss if you didn't learn the strategies........2007-07-25

Much has already been said - to which I endorse this book's overwhelming ability to change the way you think. With that I also caution the need for clarity and focus in the execution of these strategies. I have been fortunate to meet with Doug and had him explain these strategies personally. Although these strategies could benefit everyone, not everyone is the same and thus differing results are inevitable. After having read this book, I not only implemented these strategies myself, but have integrated them into my professional practice and have clients grateful for the insights. To reiterate, these strategies are not for everyone. If you read the book I think it becomes self evident who it is not appropriate for, but may I allude to them as those who feel "equity is for consumption and not conservation".

Investment version of War & Peace.......2007-05-14

Very thorough with a tremendous amount of information and investment concepts. I read it in 3 1/2 days and have re-read several chapters.

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