Clever Girl Finance

Learn the basics of investing with this approachable guide to the world of finance

Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money is the leading guide for women who seek to learn the basic foundations of personal investing. In a no-nonsense and straightforward style, this book teaches readers:

• Exactly how investing works and what you should be doing, no fancy finance degree required

• How to leverage investing to build long term wealth even on a modest salary

• The key pitfalls to avoid in order to become a successful investor

• How to build a nest egg and invest in your future

• Insights from real-world success stories from other "clever girl investors"

Clever Girl Finance teaches readers the irreplaceable value of investing for long-term financial gain, and the difference between making money and building wealth.

Written for any woman who's ever sought out an accessible introduction to the world of investing, this book is especially suited to women interested in learning how investing works and taking guided action towards their financial success.

Autorentext

BOLA SOKUNBI is a Certified Financial Education Instructor, author, influencer, and finance expert. She's also the CEO and founder of Clever Girl Finance, a platform that educates and empowers women to achieve their own financial independence and freedom.

Klappentext

In light of the unfortunate gender wage and investment gaps, this book is full of pragmatic wisdom, encouraging advice, and crystal clear explanations. This is how Bola unpacks the whys and the ways of the world of investingemboldening women of all ilks to put their money to work (sooner!) for their long-term gain.

Roshi Givechi, Design Strategist; former Executive Design Director and Partner, IDEO

From starting your professional career to seasoned executive, Bola's investment book is a must-have in your personal finance library. She builds confidence with a bold but pragmatic mentoring voice during important financial and critical life decisions! She is a visionary leader needed, especially during challenging times.

Maureen Jules-Perez, Technology Executive, Inventor, and Strategist

Discover the financial secrets that can help anyone build long term wealth

If you're one of the millions of women who work hard for their money every day and wish you knew more about how to leverage the power of investing, Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money is crafted just for you. Written by Bola Sokunbi, a renowned Certified Financial Education Instructor, Grow Your Money helps you unlock the secrets of investing that you've been missing out on.

This book will teach you how to leverage your existing earnings to build wealth (even with a modest salary). You'll learn how to avoid common mistakes and how to put your hard-earned money to work for you. Finally, you'll discover how to grow a substantial nest egg that will take care of you well into your retirement.

Perfect for women of all ages who want to learn about making their money work for them, Grow Your Money belongs on the bookshelves of female professionals and everyday working people who seek to build confidence in the world of investing and personal finance. It can transform a typical salary into a lifetime of wealth and prosperity.

Zusammenfassung

Learn the basics of investing with this approachable guide to the world of finance

Clever Girl Finance: Learn How Investing Works, Grow Your Money is the leading guide for women who seek to learn the basic foundations of personal investing. In a no-nonsense and straightforward style, this book teaches readers:

• Exactly how investing works and what you should be doing, no fancy finance degree required
• How to leverage investing to build long term wealth even on a modest salary
• The key pitfalls to avoid in order to become a successful investor
• How to build a nest egg and invest in your future
• Insights from real-world success stories from other "clever girl investors"
  Clever Girl Finance teaches readers the irreplaceable value of investing for long-term financial gain, and the difference between making money and building wealth.

Written for any woman who's ever sought out an accessible introduction to the world of investing, this book is especially suited to women interested in learning how investing works and taking guided action towards their financial success.

Inhalt

About the Author xi

Acknowledgments xiii

You are in the Right Place! Get Ready to Become a Clever Girl Investor! xv

How to Use This Book xix

Chapter 1 Adjusting Your Mindset About Investing 1

Why Investing Matters 7

Getting Educated About Investing 9

Women and the Investment Gap: Why It's More Important Than Ever for Women in Particular to Invest 11

My Investing Story: The Complete Game-Changer for My Finances 15

Chapter 2 How the Stock Market Works 19

What Is the Stock Market? 21

Stock Exchanges in the United States 22

Indices and the Stock Market 23

The Economy and the Stock Market 26

How the Economy Affects Your Portfolio 26

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Jennifer Jenny Coombs 30

Chapter 3 Core Investing Concepts: Inflation, Compounding, and the Rule of 72 33

Inflation 36

What Causes Inflation? 37

Inflation in the United States 38

Compounding 39

How Compound Interest Works 40

The Rule of 72 44

Compound Interest, the Rule of 72, and Debt 46

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Cindy E. Zuniga 48

Chapter 4 Preparing to Invest 51

Key Factors to Ensure You're Prepared to Invest 54

Setting Your Investment Objectives 58

Understanding Risk 59

Mitigating Risk 60

Chapter 5 The Different Types of Stock Market Investments 65

Investing in Stocks 67

Market Capitalization and Stocks 68

Investing in Bonds 70

What to Know About Bonds 70

Should You Buy Individual Stocks and/or Bonds? 73

Investing in Funds 74

Index Funds to Win 76

The Key Benefits of Index Funds 77

Popular Index Funds 79

Chapter 6 Researching Your Investments 83

Things to Look for When Researching Investments 86

Extra Credit: More Investing Terms and Definitions 90

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Adeola Omole 92

Chapter 7 Where and How to Purchase Your Investments 97

Brokerage Firms and Robo-Advisors 99

Working with a Financial Advisor 102

Practicing with Simulation Accounts 103

Trading versus Investing 104

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Jully-Alma Taveras 105

Chapter 8 Investing for Retirement 109

Types of Retirement Investment Accounts 114

What to Do When You Leave Your Employer 122

Tips to Maximize Your Retirement Investments 123

Are You Saving Enough? 126

Investing During Retirement 128

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Faneisha Fo Alexander 129

Chapter 9 Simple Investing Strategies 133

The 3-Fund Portfolio Investing Strategy 136

Alternative Investing Strategies: The 1-Fund, 2-Fund, 4-Fund, and 5-Fund Portfolios 139

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Jamila Souffrant 143

Chapter 10 Keeping Your Investments on Target 147

How Does Rebalancing Work? 149

When to Rebalance Your Portfolio 150

A Common Rule of Thumb: 100 Minus Your Age 151

How Often Should You Rebalance Your Portfolio? 151

Target-Date Funds, Robo-Advisors, and Portfolio Rebalancing 152

Letting Go of a Losing Investment 153

Chapter 11 The Deal with Taxes 157

Income Tax and Capital Gains Tax 159

Tax Losses 160

Minimizing Your Tax Obligation 161

Chapter 12 Investing Mistakes and Pitfalls to Avoid 165

Key Investing Mistakes and How to Avoid Them 168

Clever Girl Investor: Meet Regina Byrd 170

In Closing 175

Takeaways to Remember 177

Index 181