cover image Money Lessons for a Lifetime: Stories, Observations, and Tips on Living a Prosperous Life

Money Lessons for a Lifetime: Stories, Observations, and Tips on Living a Prosperous Life

Jim Jorgensen, James Jorgensen. Kaplan Publishing, $18.95 (192pp) ISBN 978-0-7931-2549-4

The host of a syndicated radio show bearing his name, Jorgensen (It's Never Too Late to Get Rich) gives simple money lessons: don't pauperize yourself to invest and, once you take the plunge, always take the long view. He believes that any mutual fund closely tied to the Standard & Poor's 500 stock index may be one of the best investments, provided the investor avoids the temptation to sell when the stock market is undergoing an ""adjustment."" He explains why IRAs, bonds and certain retirement plans may not be suitable vehicles for many, why not paying credit-card debt monthly is foolish and how to cope with income-tax and inheritance laws, which seem to grow more complex by the hour. Punctuating his book with pithy lessons and words to the wise, Jorgensen is that rara avis who can write both informatively and entertainingly on finance. 30,000 first printing; author tour. (Aug.)