$100M Founder: I Stopped Investing In My Business To Do This Instead | Matt Clark

Robert Kiyosaki's "Prophecy" presents a controversial perspective on the future of the economy and markets, predicting a significant downturn. The book's central thesis revolves around the author's belief that a major market crash is imminent, driven by various economic and geopolitical factors. Kiyosaki's predictions have been met with mixed reactions, with some critics questioning the validity of his analysis. The book's focus on preparing for economic uncertainty has resonated with some readers, while others find its doomsday predictions alarmist and lacking in substantial evidence. The book's impact lies in its ability to spark discussions about economic vulnerability and the importance of financial preparedness.

In 'One Up On Wall Street,' Peter Lynch explains how average investors can outperform professionals by leveraging their everyday experiences and knowledge. Lynch advocates for investing in companies and products that are familiar and understandable, rather than following trendy or complex investments. He provides easy-to-follow advice on analyzing financial statements, identifying different types of companies (such as cyclical, turnaround, and fast-growing companies), and maintaining a long-term investment strategy. The book emphasizes the importance of simplicity, patience, and fundamental analysis in achieving successful investments.

In Richer, Wiser, Happier, William Green draws on interviews conducted over twenty-five years with many of the world’s greatest investors. The book highlights that the most successful investors are mavericks and iconoclasts who question conventional wisdom and think rationally, rigorously, and objectively. They maximize their odds of long-term success in markets and life by drawing insights from diverse fields such as neuroscience, economic history, psychology, philosophy, and more. Green explains how these investors can teach us not only how to become rich but also how to improve our thinking, decision-making, risk assessment, and resilience, and how to turn uncertainty to our advantage.

Written by Benjamin Graham, 'The Intelligent Investor' is a seminal work on value investing that has inspired millions since its original publication in 1949. The book emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between investing and speculation, calculating the intrinsic value of companies, and maintaining a margin of safety. The revised edition includes updated commentary by Jason Zweig, who provides modern examples and insights to help readers apply Graham's principles in today's market. Warren Buffett, a disciple of Graham, has praised the book as 'the best book about investing ever written'.

The Everything Store is a revealing and definitive biography of Amazon. com and its driven founder, Jeff Bezos. The book chronicles Amazon's journey from its humble beginnings as a mail-order book seller to its transformation into a global retail and technology giant. Brad Stone enjoyed unprecedented access to current and former Amazon employees and Bezos family members, providing a detailed, fly-on-the-wall account of life at Amazon. The book highlights Bezos's relentless pursuit of new markets, his innovative ventures such as the Kindle and cloud computing, and how he transformed retail in a manner comparable to Henry Ford's impact on manufacturing.

In 'Rule #1', Phil Town presents an investment strategy based on the principles of Warren Buffett and Benjamin Graham. The core rules are 'Don’t lose money' and 'Don’t forget Rule #1'. Town advocates for buying wonderful businesses at discounted prices, emphasizing the importance of understanding the business, identifying a 'moat' (competitive advantage), and ensuring a 'margin of safety'. The book encourages investors to think like business owners rather than gamblers, focusing on long-term success while using short-term market timing to maximize returns. It also debunks common myths about investing and provides tools for managing investments effectively.

In this book, Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton explain how money can buy happiness if spent according to five core principles. These principles include buying experiences over material goods, making purchases a treat, buying time, paying now and consuming later, and investing in others. The authors draw on cutting-edge research in behavioral science to show how these principles can be applied by individuals and companies to create happier employees and customers. They also highlight how companies like Google, Pepsi, and Charmin have implemented these ideas successfully.

In this book, Joel Greenblatt provides a straightforward and accessible guide to value investing. He introduces a 'magic formula' that helps investors identify and purchase good businesses at below-average prices. The formula, explained using simple math and humor, has been extensively tested and proven to be effective in beating the market and professional managers. The book also explores why success often eludes individual and professional investors and why the formula remains viable even after widespread knowledge of it. Updated editions include data and analysis from the recent financial crisis and model performance through 2009.

In 'Mastering the Market Cycle: Getting the Odds on Your Side,' Howard Marks provides a comprehensive overview of market cycles, emphasizing the importance of understanding the patterns of ups and downs influenced by economics, markets, companies, and human psychology. Marks draws on his decades of experience to explain how investors can position their portfolios to take advantage of market cycles by studying past cycles, understanding their origins, and remaining alert for the next cycle. The book highlights that market cycles are driven by cause-and-effect relationships and that investors should prepare rather than predict market outcomes. It also delves into the psychological markers and emotional factors that influence investor behavior during different phases of the cycle.

Die with Zero presents a provocative philosophy and practical guide on how to get the most out of your money and your life. Bill Perkins argues against over-saving and under-living, advocating for investing in experiences early and maximizing positive life experiences. The book introduces concepts like 'time-bucketing,' 'net worth curve,' and 'fulfillment curve' to help readers optimize their life stages and make the most of their resources. Drawing from his own life experiences and insights from psychological science and behavioral finance, Perkins makes a compelling case for living large and accumulating memorable experiences rather than wealth.