The Big Gamble will give you critical insight and perspective on the difference between investing, speculation and gambling, so that you can make informed and rational decisions about where to put your hard-earned money. In the process you’ll take an armchair journey from the tulip fields of 17th century Holland and the South Seas to the gaming tables in Las Vegas. You’ll discover how economic bubbles form, and learn about an “early warning system” you can use to either avoid the next one or wisely capitalize on it. | | | | In plain English, without jargon or blue-sky economic theory, you’ll also discover: |  | Why you’re not really “playing it safe” when you invest conservatively, even in U.S. Treasury bills or mutual funds, despite what you might have thought. | | The three most important characteristics you need in order to invest (actually, speculate) wisely in the financial markets. | | Nine financial risks you need to watch out for when building a portfolio or allocating investments in your 401(k) plan. | | The 12 Cardinal Rules of Speculating, which are easy to overlook but critical to successfully making your assets grow. | | Why you should think twice before sinking your life savings into economic icons like General Motors or Wal-Mart. | | Three surefire economic signals that will show you the “next big thing” and identify potential bubbles when they are beginning to form. | | And much more! | | | Our objective is to give you the insight, perspective and tools you need to make wise financial decisions, and to realize that risk and speculation are not to be feared, but to be understood and taken into account — not only in financial terms but in your daily life. After all, what is a job change, a romance or marriage but a form of real-life speculation in which you are hoping that the outcome will be favorable — and you do your best to reduce the odds of a heartbreaking loss? |
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