The “Investing For” Book I Would Write

If you look for book titles that begin with or include “Investing for” you will find titles like “Investing for Smarties”, “Investing for Beginners”, “Investing for Retirement”, “Investing for Dummies”, and “Stock Market Investing For Dummies.” If I wrote a book, perhaps I could call it “Investing for Easy Income” or “A Wise Investing Checkup.”

If I did write a book about investing, it would have to be something that was practical and actionable. It would have to be free – no charges or hidden agendas. It would not be marketing other products or services. It would also have to consider wisdom from the book of Proverbs and a perspective that is driven by a Biblical worldview and the commandments of Jesus.

Long and Boring Books or Good Books?

One thing about some books is that they are often long and sometimes boring. Furthermore, many books are great on theory and short on practical suggestions for doing something that helps in the real-world. It is akin to a business school professor talking about starting a small business having never started a business. It is like talking about leadership having never led an organization. There are many books where the author just fills pages to reach a page count, or so it seems to me. There seems to be no end to the practical help book titles that all have the same advice. It can be quite wearisome.

Good books often have pictures and include stories to help illustrate principles, ideas, or the way something works. Children’s books usually have pictures and books that tell a story are often ones that help a child learn some important things about life. Unfortunately there are so many  books! Which ones should you read? Which ones are a waste of time and just wear you out?

The author of Ecclesiastes understood the drawbacks of many books. Ecclesiastes 12:12 says, “Of making many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.” Some books just make you tired. I don’t want to wear you out, but any good book should create clarity, energize the reader and call for action. Of course action without wisdom can make life very difficult or complicated.

Proverbs 4:7 states, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom, and with all your getting, get understanding.” So the takeaway from that is that you can read and not gain understanding of how what you read fit in daily life. Furthermore, you can be smart with knowledge but have no clue how that information is applied in various situations. That requires wisdom. I hope to share not just information, but wisdom from both my good choices and my less-than-prudent choices or lack of action.

The Annual Physical Asks Questions to Identify Problems

What is included in the annual checkup? When I have my annual physical, the doctor has a routine he uses to identify problems. He then prescribes and suggests solutions that are actionable. He looks at various measurements, including my A1C(1), cholesterol levels, and triglycerides. He looks at my weight and listens to my heart and lungs. He then writes a chapter in the notes on MyChart. He prints that chapter and gives it to me. It contains actionable items.

A Book’s Foreword and Introduction

A book’s foreword typically includes several key elements, serving both to introduce the book and to provide context for its content. A book’s introduction serves as a gateway to the content, outlining essential information that helps readers understand what to expect. This can include an overview of the topic, a brief summary of the subject matter, the purpose and objectives, and the scope of what will be covered or not covered.

My Book’s foreword

The Investor’s Annual “Fiscal” Financial Review

Fiscal can refer to anything related to money, finances, or budgeting. Components of this may include fees, expenses, income, income taxes,  and charitable giving. I have created a list of “Yearend” questions you should probably consider before 2026 arrives. Those questions are the ones I often hear, or unasked questions that should be asked.

These questions will be the basis for the “chapters” of this “book.” Each one will include at least one actionable item regardless of your stage of life. This means I hope to help you if you are a student, an investor, a retiree, a soon-to-be retiree, or you are employed and want to think long-term about wise choices.

My Book’s Introduction

This book won’t address every question about or specific types of investing. I won’t discuss a particular investing strategy or how to select stocks or types of investments. Rather, each portion is designed to ask a critical question that will impact the development of an investing strategy and of life choices that can impact an investor’s success. The answers to the questions will provide suggestions for possible changes or next steps.

Many decisions are made about spending and investing that are roadblocks or roundabouts that delay or prevent reaching a financial or life goal. Other decisions overlook the implications of taxes both for today and for ten-to-twenty years from today. In addition, there are “abbreviations” and acronyms that must be understood if a person will be able to make wise decisions. Those include RMD(2), AGI(3), QCD(4), IRMAA(5), and ROI(6). (See Footnotes and Definitions.)

Conclusion

That wraps up the “Forward” and the “Introduction.” The chapters of this book will probably fall into three categories I call subtraction, addition and multiplication. You can help create the contents by suggesting questions!

Actionable Item

There isn’t much you can do with the information in this first post. However, perhaps you could send me your thoughts about questions you have at yearend when it comes to financial decisions. I want to either answer your questions or direct you to a resource that may help you.

Footnotes and Definitions:

  1. A1C, or hemoglobin A1C, is a blood test that measures your average blood sugar (glucose) levels over the past two to three months. The A1C test is expressed as a percentage. For instance, an A1C of 6.5% indicates that 6.5% of your hemoglobin—an oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells—is coated with sugar.
  2. RMD: Required Minimum Distribution from a traditional retirement account that must be taken when you reach a certain age.
  3. AGI: Adjusted Gross Income is the total income subject to tax after allowed adjustments, used to determine eligibility for various deductions and credits.
  4. QCD: Qualified Charitable Distribution is a tax-exempt transfer of funds from an IRA directly to a qualified charity, which can satisfy the RMD requirement. It is only useful for those who have reached a certain age.
  5. IRMAA: Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount is an additional premium charged to higher-income beneficiaries for Medicare Part B and Part D plans, based on AGI. There are specific income brackets that can create an additional tax.
  6. ROI: Return on Investment is a measure used to evaluate the efficiency or profitability of an investment, calculated by dividing net profit by the initial cost of the investment.

All scripture passages are from the English Standard Version except as otherwise noted.

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