by K. W. Calhoun

Created on: January 24, 2009   Last Updated: May 19, 2009

There are thousands of investment and financial strategy books now floating around in bookstores, libraries, resale shops, and more commonly these days, garage sales. That's because we've found that a large portion of this literature has been, or is now, for the most part...worthless! There are a few books however, that have stand above the rest or are written in a way that makes them especially prevalent today. While these five are by no means the only options for smart investment tips, beware of those books promising guaranteed returns or sure-fire investment techniques.

THE INTELLIGENT INVESTOR

Written by Benjamin Graham, Warren Buffet's mentor at Columbia Business School, the book was originally published in 1949 and has withstood the test of time. In the preface, written by none other than Mr. Buffet himself, he begins by stating, "I read the first edition of this book in early 1950, when I was nineteen. I thought then that it was by far the best book about investing ever written. I still think it is."

I'd say that pretty much sums it up.

THE INSTANT MILLIONAIRE

This is one of my favorite books of all time. When it comes to inspiration and investing in oneself, this is the book to beat. Related as a simplistic 130-page fable, this book takes the reader upon one young man's journey as he explores the secrets to why some people succeed while others only dream about it.

THE ONLY INVESTMENT GUIDE YOU'LL EVER NEED

This is a great read by Andrew Tobias. First published in the late-70s, Tobias has updated certain portions of the book. The basic principals he advocates though, including staying out of debt and living below one's means, have remained constant over the years, especially ringing true in today's economic environment. His conversational and at times sarcastic tone makes the book a fun and enjoyable read.

SUZE ORMAN'S 2009 ACTION PLAN

While this selection might not be an all time favorite or a history maker in its revelations, Suze Orman's latest book is a must read for those affected (who hasn't been!) by the recent financial crisis. Suze assumes a calming, yet hard-nosed approach in her efforts to quell the fears of the crisis crazed reader. Her realistic and action-oriented slant is focused upon commitment by the readers to help guide them through "the new reality" of our financial world.

CUT YOUR SPENDING IN HALF WITHOUT SETTLING FOR LESS
This final selection, while more of a personal finance than investment book, is another favorite and is a quick guide to saving tips on just about anything and everything. Published in the mid-90s by the editors of Rodale Press, several sections have fallen by the wayside with the passage of time, but for the most part, the book maintains its credibility and provides sound investment advice in ways to reduce spending while maintaining a reasonable quality of life.

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