\u201cFree your mind\u201d<\/p>\n
These words from the cult classic, The Matrix, were spoken by Morpheus in an attempt to guide the newly delivered Neo away from the deception of the Matrix. The Matrix depicts a future where reality as perceived by most humans is actually a computer simulation created by intelligent machines to subdue humanity while their bodies\u2019 energy is used as a power source for the ruling computers.<\/p>\n
As macabre as this theme sounds, the Wall Street machine of big money management isn\u2019t much different. This matrix works overtime through incessant waves of paid media to hypnotize ordinary investors into accepting a false investment reality \u2013 that active money management benefits investors. Sadly, like the sentient machines mentioned above, the Wall Street matrix deceives investors so that they can in turn suck the energy out of their portfolios in the form of hidden fees thereby feeding there ravenous appetite for profits and wealth.<\/p>\n
Sounds strange? You don\u2019t have to take our word for it. Instead, you can look to the Morpheus\u2019 of our age – academic scholars, Nobel Laureates and enlightened practitioners who have broken free of the Wall Street systems and are guiding investors to a real and happier end through low cost index investing. If you remain unconvinced, you owe it to yourself to learn more by reading one of our top five recommended books below. If you are convinced but haven\u2019t read these titles, then you should pick a few for this year\u2019s reading list as a commitment to discipline your mind and resist the hypnosis. The Wall Street matrix never sleeps. If you want to free your portfolio to truly perform, begin by freeing your mind.<\/p>\n
The Investment Answer \u2013 Daniel Goldie and Gordon Murray<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Investment-Answer-Daniel-C-Goldie\/dp\/1455503304\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326475159&sr=1-1<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n MarketRiders\u2019 investment book of the year is The Investment Answer by Daniel Goldie and Gordon Murray. Take a Wall Street veteran who learns he has inoperable cancer, a mere six months to live, and an aching desire to expunge his conscience from participating in big money management\u2019s abuse of the average investor, and this is what you get \u2013 a ruthlessly honest five step program to protect and grow your retirement wealth. Here you will find an eminently valuable primer which can be read and understood in one sitting, and has advice that benefits you, not Wall Street and the rest of the traditional financial services industry.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A Random Walk Guide To Investing \u2013 Dr. Burton Malkiel<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Random-Walk-Guide-Investing\/dp\/039332639X\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326474913&sr=1-1<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Possibly our favorite book at MarketRiders, A Random Walk Down Wall Street<\/em>, is a concise guide by influential and irreverent author and Princeton professor, Dr. Burton G. Malkiel. Malkiel takes the mystery out of personal finance by outlining a ten-point plan for success. Easy to read and easy to follow, this practical book aimed at everyday investors cuts through the jargon to give readers the confidence and knowledge to make wise investment decisions that will provide consistent returns. This book may be the best possible starting point in an investor\u2019s education.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns – John C. Bogle<\/strong><\/p>\n The Little Book of Common Sense Investing: The Only Way to Guarantee Your Fair Share of Stock Market Returns<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong>John C. Bogle<\/strong><\/a> (<\/strong>http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Little-Book-Common-Sense-Investing\/dp\/0470102101\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326428452&sr=1-1<\/strong><\/a>)<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n If you haven\u2019t familiarized yourself with John Bogle, then you can look forward to a real treat. Bogle is the world\u2019s greatest modern day financial hero who has spent his life defending the interests of the common investor. Having come from the bowels of the Wall Street machine, Bogle walked away from untold wealth to start The Vanguard Group, a non-profit money management company based on index investing, low fees and transparency in an effort to serve hard working people in search of a reliable retirement. From being one of the first revolutionaries in indexing to growing the most disruptive firm Wall Street has ever encountered, Bogle should not be missed with this book being an excellent starting point.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/p>\n Unconventional Success: A Fundamental Approach to Personal Investment<\/strong> <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong> David F. Swensen<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Unconventional-Success-Fundamental-Approach-Investment\/dp\/0743228383\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326474581&sr=1-1<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Everybody likes to hear from the top expert in a given field. In the area of wealth management, you would be hard-pressed to find someone more renown than David Swensen, the Chief Investment Officer of the thirty plus billion dollar Yale Endowment. Praised worldwide for his shockingly good track record of portfolio returns in the high teens for over a decade, Swensen is the finance industry\u2019s Michael Jordan.<\/p>\n Imagine how exciting it would be to garner a private hearing with Mr. Swensen to discuss your own private portfolio. Imagine no longer. Simply pick up a copy of his book and learn why Swensen\u2019s approach also found at MarketRiders is right for you.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Behavior Gap: Simple Ways to Stop Doing Dumb Things with Money <\/strong>\u2013 <\/strong> Carl Richards<\/strong><\/p>\n http:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Behavior-Gap-Simple-Doing-Things\/dp\/1591844649\/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1326475881&sr=1-1<\/strong><\/a> <\/strong><\/p>\n Released just this past month, Carl Richards book, The Behavior Gap, explores the fascinating and exploding field of behavioral finance. Richards describes a strange but true phenomenon – that year upon year average investors successfully underperform the index by several percentage points. Why? Because of something he calls the behavior gap, the difference between what we should do and what we actually do as emotions usurp our portfolio plans and dictate or investment decisions. To successfully execute the management of your MarketRiders portfolio, you will have to gain mastery over your emotions. Mr. Richards can help you get there.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n PickPockets: How Wall Street Steals Your Money and What to Do About It<\/strong><\/p>\n Coming soon is MarketRiders first book, PickPockets. This expos\u00e9 <\/strong>uncovers the shocking truth behind the Wall Streets\u2019 big money machine and provides an action plan for success. A compilation of Mitch and Steve\u2019s finance columns from U.S. News and World Report, this whitty and easy to read tome provides a good chuckle as well as a good plan for your financial future. Keep an eye out for its release in the months ahead.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" \u201cFree your mind\u201d These words from the cult classic, The Matrix, were spoken by Morpheus in an attempt to guide the newly delivered Neo away from the deception of the … Read more