This is a great book for new investors. It covers a lot of information and it's very useful!!! Save yourselves now from financial failure in the future.

In Stay Mad For Life Cramer teaches you all the basics you need to plan for the future and how to be prepared for retirement. However, this book will not help you learn how to trade stocks. For more information specifically on this topic refer to his other books.

I brought this book for my Husband and myself because we are interested in doing stocks online. We really like it because it's easy to read and to understand.

Very interesting and he keeps your attention as he does on his tv show.
If you have the time to follow his suggestions, his philosophy will work for you.

Jim's latest book has some really good advice packaged in an entertaining way (like his Mad Money show). This is a great book (starter book) for young adults and teens. It is a great way to introduce personal finance to those who never have had to do it before. I bought the book for my just out of college sister. I thought it would be more useful than the Dr Seus book "Oh, The places you'll go"

Jim Cramer is crazy, but he is also very smart. I like that he explains much of his insight and also gives explicit picks rather than broad ideas on how to invest. He also covers many different bases, such as mutual funds, IRAs, 401(k)s, health care, credit cards and stuff like that. It is good because I imagine that most people in the country do not know how to save money, where to put it when they do save it and what to do when they have saved up a good amount. This will at least get them started on the right path, which I think is commendable. It is hard to get people interested in financials, but Cramer does a fairly good job at it. He is also a pretty good writer.

I think this book is very informative but I think he can get the point across in a more direct way. It is a little long winded but again very informative!!!

At last, Jim Cramer has written a book for real people. The other ones were useful, but this one finally addresses the issues that affect retired investors, non-millionaires and others who are not out simply to make a fast buck off the market. I recommend this highly to anyone seeking some good basic advice with the Cramer touch.

Do your research. Just recently Cramer told a viewer two days before Bearn Stearns Crash "Keep your money in Bear" then two days later the stock plunged to $2.00. Review his "Cramer vs. Cramer" picks on CNBC... Down, Down. Look at his work as a fund manager during the time of the internet bust. Recommending buys and managing a fund into the ground.

Be MAD for life if you lose money. Read the classic "Intellegent Investor" written in the 40's the advice is sound and good for the market today.

Jim Cramers most recent book as an absolute "required reading" for young married couples. If they apply the principles demonstrated in this book, they will be well prepared financially for the future and retirement.

I consider myself a reasonably savvy person when it comes to basic finance. With that said, I wish I read this book when I was in high school or college. Although I watch Jim Cramer's Mad Money frequently and sometimes question his over-the-top approach on his TV show, 'Stay Mad for Life' is a great book to go through and review the fundamentals of personal finance. To me, this should be the first Jim Cramer book you should read.

Cramer's book titles often flash the word 'rich' and he frequently reminds you that he will make you rich in his book, but I applaud the way he does it. Cramer frequently stresses that you must take care of the basics first, such as getting out of debt, putting retirement ahead of toys, and making sure you take responsibility for your financial future. He does not say do exactly A,B and C and everthing will be great. He also emphasizes that you need to question everything, including him.

I especially appreciated Cramer's dissection of mutual fund fees, especially 12b1 and front-end/back-end loads. If you know what these things are, this book may be too basic for you. If you don't, you'll find Cramer's Mad for Life a good start in personal finance. After reading it, I called my financial advisor, reviewed my portofolio and adjusted it. Cramer's book made me sit up and scrutinize my personal finances. And that is exactly what each person who wants to 'Get Rich, Stay Rich' needs to do.

Everyone planning ahead needs this text. Young savers need to watch what they invest in and be more aggressive in the early years. Cramer explains types of investments to start with and to use the best that is available to you.

Most people who try to follow Cramer's advice on his television program or in his earlier books will lose a lot of money. His success as a workaholic hedge fund manager does not translate into making money for his viewers despite his good intentions. This book (written with input from others) offers more standard sensible financial advice on saving and investing in a more conservative way than on "Mad Money". There are many other similar works out there and this one differs only in that a few "Cramerisms" slip through and that specific stocks and mutual funds are mentioned. Beware in following the stock picks though as if you watch his show you will find out that Cramer can change his view on a stock almost in the same sentence.

The book is an honest no BS kind of book telling people who know little or nothing about money what is going on. Also the more you read the more you want to know. Its not about being a savvy trader, its about consistant common sense approach to making and saving money. Good book for people seeking advise about budgets, market function and saving for a future.
Thanks
Bob H Cleveland OH

I found this book easy reading and finished it very quickly. The information is somewhat basic but very helpful with ideas for actual stocks and mutual funds. I enjoyed it and recommend it.

The problem I have with this book is that most of the advice is generic. I did not find anything new in it. As well, Jim does not make any predictions for the future to help investors navigate what promises to be a very difficult market for years to come. Anyone can write a book with basic investment advice. What seperates these books from a truly great one is one that makes bold yet accurate preditions. That said, the reality is that the market is flooded with similar books, but this one is definately one of the better ones in its category.

If you consider yourself beyond the rookie investment stage, I would recommend "America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression." This is easily the best investment book out today because it lays out an irrefutable case for huge problems for America. The original ediction was released in late 2006 and has been very accurate predicting the full extent of the real estate fallout (including the spillover to the banks; something no one else predicted). I have already made a boatload of money following the recommendations (gold, oil trusts, etc.). It is a MUST-READ if you are serious about your investments. Cramer should invite the author on his show! America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression (Condensed Edition)

The problem I have with this book is that most of the advice is generic. I did not find anything new in it. As well, Jim does not make any predictions for the future to help investors navigate what promises to be a very difficult market for years to come. Anyone can write a book with basic investment advice. What separates these books from a truly great one is one that makes bold yet accurate predictions. That said, the reality is that the market is flooded with similar books, but this one is definitely one of the better ones in its category.

If you consider yourself beyond the rookie investment stage, I would recommend "America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression." This is easily the best investment book out today because it lays out an irrefutable case for huge problems for America. The original edition was released in late 2006 and has been very accurate predicting the full extent of the real estate fallout (including the spillover to the banks; something no one else predicted). I have already made a boatload of money following the recommendations (gold, oil trusts, etc.). It is a MUST-READ if you are serious about your investments. Cramer should invite the author on his show!

America's Financial Apocalypse: How to Profit from the Next Great Depression (Condensed Edition)

"The madman of television stock market advice writes it all down - still entertaining and you might make some money too."

Not a bad book and easy to read. But unless you are just starting out, this is an overtly simplistic book. I don't mean this as a shot, if you have read his previous books, this one is a step backwards.

If you are young & just "starting" to invest, this would be a good read before getting to stocks / trading, as it deals with 401(K), and basic personal finance.

Jim didn't teach me anything new and I am MAD I spent the money for this book. At least I got a good discount on it!! Jim's information is something investors with ANY experience at all should already know.

A disappointing book, far too basic for any investor with a modest degree of sophistication. I expected more creative concepts from Cramer

I liked this so well I bought a copy for all three of my sons. Great insite and well explained.

I quess I expected too much. I was disappointed with the way Mr. Cramer spent so much bashing the credit card companies. Additionally, I found the book to be verbose. The contents could have been edited to eliminate excesses, but this is more the character of Mr. Cramer.

Since purchasing this book I have received no less that 20 offers to join one of Mr. Cramers money making schemes using this book as the free premium for joining.

I am truly disappointed. To the point that I no longer enjoy the TV program hosted by Mr. Cramer. Obviously Mr. Cramer doesn't have to worry about the risk of investmnet, just jot down a few inconsequential notes and exploit.

Great book. Very helpful. I've read all his books and this one is an essential part of the collection.

Excellant book, even if you know some of this, it is always good to go over it again, Jim is a no frills guy with solid advice. Every parent should have their children read this book and make them save at least 10% of their money they get from parents and grandparents while they are still young and set the standard.

Fantastic book! This is the book that I wish I had read when I was in my thirties or forties (I am now 65). This book should be mandatory reading for all people in that age group. I have bought extra copies and have sent them to my two children.

This book explains the "in's and out's" of company sponsored 401k's and emphasis the importance of disability life insurance.

Jim Cramer has done a great service to us working types.

Dealing with Amazon.com was very easy. I received my product in excellent condition and in a timely fashion. This was not my first purchase from Amazon, and will not be my last.

Behind Jim's flamboyant personality is expertise that comes through on every page. Well worth readingJim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich (Make Your Kids Even Richer)

I own multiple copies of all 5 of Jim's books including two of this book. A must for the serious home gamer (investor). The best book yet in my opinion.

Amzon you're really screwed up. I wanted the book. Paid for it. The money was refunded and the order cancelled. I don't understand. When I purchase this book it'll be from Borders.

I read and used his first three books and started a new portfolio from scratch at the beginning of last year. I have a balanced ten stock portfolio that returned just over 20% last year and wish I had learned what he has taught years ago. This book is a useful and much needed addition to his library. This book addresses how to manage your retirement account in detail and gives specific investment recommendations for placing your money into. This is a must have book for anyone...especially for those who have other people manage their money. Buy it.

Namaste, Brooks Helms

I have recently retired and this book has helped me organize and allocate my retirement investments (401K) to an IRA to maximize my returns. This wonderful book is an absolute must for all ages of investors. The book deals with how to put aside money, investing, mortgages, college tuition any many more every day life money situations. Boo Yah

Mr. Cramer is a well educated and very entertaining personality. This book was given to me for Christmas, so I read it. There is some good information in the book, but I question some of the facts. I would strongly recommend readers do a little research of their own before acting on any of the advice in this book.

I believe there are better informative books available and would not recommend purchasing this one. Just one persons opinion.

Not for an experienced trader, but a good primer for a newbie looking to get his feet wet with actual purchases. A lot of ground covered in safe investments, which ironically, is never what Jim seems to promote on TV.

Decent money management and discipline coverage, as well trading strategies for both entry and exit. Personal Finance 101.

I have been following Cramer closely for 6 months, watching his show and reading his books. I used to think he was a madman. Know I know he is a serious, knowledgeable and dedicated teacher of investing and general money skills. I gave my 24-year old daughter a copy of this book for Christmas, and I will tell you what I told her. If you read this book and try to do what Cramer recommends, it will change your life. His books and tv show are changing mine.

... in their 20s-40s who have never taken Economics or basic finance. For others, there are a few interesting comments. The information is not particularly useful for business-types approaching retirement.

We watch Jim every night as a family. It is so awesome so read a book that is exactly the way he talks!!!

Jim Cramer has really produced another great book. This one starts out as a personal finance book explaining how to budget and the importance of saving money in a retirement account each month. He advises to contribute whatever is needed into your 401K plan at work to get the match. (Most companies offer a 80%-100% return on your money off the top with the match). I can tell you from my experience that is the #1 reason I have a hefty net worth at 35 years old. Cramer then advises putting money beyond the match into an IRA for more investment options than the 401K offers.
His advice is to put the money in an S&P index fund if your 401K does not offer excellent funds to invest in. He advises to never put this money in your company's stock, the risk is to great. Cramer explains bonds, bills, and treasuries in this book along with the percentage of your money to hold in them. You will see that he is much more aggressive with his recommendations for the percentage of your money to hold in stocks as you age. I agree with him.
You will also learn Cramer's twenty new rules for investing. These rules are great for investors and traders. My favorite two are:
1. Don't let the market shake you out of a good long-term thesis.
2. Don't quit when you get back to even.
You will learn the ten things pros do but amateurs get wrong.
1. Pros always have cash.
2. Pros don't worry about the quarterly report.
3. Pros try not to invest in things they don't know.
4. Pros recognize that everthing is not analyzable.
5. Pros want to know the downside, not the upside. (This one is excellent).
6. Pros always look, they never avert their eyes from a down turn.
7. Pros accept that not everything works at once.
8. Amateurs worry they are not making enough, pros worry they are making to much. (Which means taking on to much risk).
9. Pros do their homework.
10. Pros understand the upside, but know things can go wrong.
Cramer picks out the five bull market sectors he believes have a long term upside. Aerospace and defense, agriculture, oil and oil service, minerals and mining, and infrastructure. Learn his theories on these markets and why he sees long term earnings increases.
He also names twenty stocks that he believes are excellent long term investments. There are four of these that I also think will do outstanding in the coming years: Google, Pepsi, Boeing, and Caterpillar.
Cramer finishs with the best guide to mutual funds I have ever seen, recommending 13 of the most outstanding funds out there. Judging them not only on there long term results but more importantly how they performed in the down years of 2000, 2001, and 2002. The true value of actively managed funds is the ability of the manager to protect you against the markets downside. If they can not do this it is better to just invest in a S&P index fund and beat 80% of actively managed funds and save the management fees.
I can personally attest to making several thousand dollars following Jim Cramer, he proved his abilities running his hedge fund and we are fortunate he enjoys educating the rest of us on investing instead of hanging out at the country club all day. Buy this book if you want to learn more about investing and trading and make some Mad Money, I did.

Don't buy this book if you don't want a second job as a financial analyst. Read the Automatic Millionaire by David Bach instead and enjoy your life without spending 10 to 20 hours a week reading 10Ks and Annual Reports. Or if you'd like here is my free version of all you will ever have to do to finish rich.

Invest the maximum you are allowed either in a 401K or IRA in a diversified index fund with stocks and bonds and adjust it every year to be a little more conservative or just a simple target retirement fund and forget about it until you retire, buy a house, send extra payments to pay it off early or just one extra payment a year, stay away from consumer debt, build an emergency fund of 3 to 6 months expenses or up to 2 years if you'd like and after you pay off the house invest in a balanced index fund or buy a rental property, and then live happily ever after.

There I just saved you some money already.

Excellent departure for Jim in this book. Normally it's mania, pump and dump conversations about investments that have a very short shell life. This book has good practical advice for young people looking to get their first foothold on long-term investing. His advice is very accurate, somewhat adverse to risk, he explains how he comes up with his principles in investing based on hard earned experience.

Topics covered well include 401Ks and Roth IRAs, stocks and mutual fund picking, getting out of debt, budgeting, health and disability insurance, family planning and more. He gives some compelling predictions in one chapter on the hottest sectors for the next decade, as well as his favorite mutual funds going forward in the near future. I'd take this advice and naturally research more on your on; he's usually pretty accurate when he looks at the bigger picture in his stock advice.

There's no question Jim is a seasoned financial pro. His teaching approach is engaging and always fascinating, and his breadth of his financial knowledge is never in doubt. When he makes mistakes, he always admits it and shows how to learn from it. He learns every day from the market, and whether you love him or hate him, even behind the typewriter Jim Cramer's enthusiasm and shared wisdom is always contagious.

I'd couple this book with the best seller out there for Asset Protection advice to protect from frivolous lawsuits and divorce, written by an equally intelligent funny author.
The Professional Bachelor Dating Guide - How to Exploit Her Inner Psycho,

Somewhat of a departure for Jim in this book. Normally it's mania, pump and dump conversations about investments that have a very short shell life. This book has good practical advice for young people looking to get their first foothold on long-term investing. His advice is very accurate, somewhat adverse to risk, and could very well lead to the wealth he hopes to bring you. Real guide coverage of 401Ks and IRAs.

I'd couple this book with the best seller out there for Asset Protection advice to protect from frivolous lawsuits and divorce.
The Professional Bachelor Dating Guide - How to Exploit Her Inner Psycho, written by an equally intelligent funny author.

A lot of self-promotion and repetitive statements.
I've followed Cramer for a year now buying his books and watching Mad Money. He does make financial education more entertaining and I've enjoyed his personality.
I felt this book was not up to his usual standards. The first part of the book went over and over why you should save for retirement. One chapter would have made the point, why the need to pound it in? I got tired of the endless self-promotion in the book as well.
I feel that pages were added of repetitive information in order to finish it for Christmas sales.
There is good information in the book on Retirement accounts, different types of cash savings, mutual funds and stocks. Buy the book for the last four chapters.

He says it in the intro: he may be teaching people how to invest because he is a nice guy OR he wants to be perceived as a nice guy. THat's the type of unabashed marketer Cramer is. Combined with his ego, that's one side of Cramer that shows up in all of his book, especially his latest- "Stay Mad". THe other side to Cramer is his smart investing sense. He takes positions long (like a good value investor) and he promotes individual knowledge about the stocks people invest on--a good bit of advice that alludes to my favorite social theories from the book The Wisdom of Crowds.

Cramer purports that "anyone can beat any manager" (financial managers) and it's true. Most managers are looking to make the once in a lifetime pick that turns $3000 in a million instead of the commonplace investment that turns $10,000 into a $100,000.

All good investment takes is homework, according to this book- and Cramer provides the first few lessons. Create a budget, save money, manage your own stocks (based on quarterly reports, earnings, and most important-personal knowledge of the stock). He hits on something I've always said- if you like a company enough to buy their products regularly- you probably should buy their stock. I did this with AAPL and have patting myself on the back ever since!

The biggest problem is getting to a point where you can save and invest money. The budgeting mentioned in this book helps, but there are other clever ways to increase your personal profit (How to Take Advantage of the People Who Are Trying to Take Advantage of You: 50 Ways to Capitalize on the System).

Its a good book. There is a section in there where Jim gives 20 points to what a Professional does versus what a amateur will do. For eg he devotes 5 pages as to why it's not a good idea to buy before earnings report. Why one must look beyond a quarter in holding a good stock. Some of the best returns are got when one holds for a long term a good quality stock till the technical's break down. The two chapters on rules is itself worth the money of the book and more if one wants to be in the game of a complicated mind game called stock market.

Good luck to all!!

Its a good book. There is a section in there where Jim gives 20 points to what a Professional does versus what a amateur will do. For eg he devotes 5 pages as to why it's not a good idea to buy before earnings report. Why one must look beyond a quarter in holding a good stock. Some of the best returns are got when one holds for a long term a good quality stock till the technical's break down. The two chapters on rules is itself worth the money of the book and more if one wants to be in the game of a complicated mind game called stock market.

I have read all Jim Cramer's book but there is one aspect, where I would suggest that he covers more. That is the market action of stocks.
If we follow the trading pattern of Jesse Livermore, Gerald M Loeb, Nicholas Darvis, they all did one thing in common was that they held on to good fundamental and technical stock during a bull rally and go into Cash during bear market.
In this regards William O Neil books on How to make money stocks does a great work. Also I would recommend to subscribe to Investors Business Daily they do a very comprehensive analysis of stocks. I have been following CANSLIM for almost 3 years now and it works. From what I have been told Jim himself follows the IBD very closely so does the 500 other Institutions who control 75% of the stock market.

Good luck to all!!

Another ferocious effort from Mr. Cramer! Watching his show is fun but watching his books might be even better.

Buy the book and you prove that you ARE MAD. This guy is nothing but a clown...

I really enjoy Cramer's shows and books but choose not to follow his advice, because I don't want to pay hefty tuition for the learning curve in the stock market. For those who just want to beat 50% of professional fund managers, I would like to quote Warren Buffett: "Over the 35 years, American business has delivered terrific results. It should therefore have been easy for investors to earn juicy returns. All they had to do was piggyback Corporate America in a diversified, low-expense way. An index fund that they never touched would have done the job. Instead many investors have had experiences ranging from mediocre to disastrous."---Author of Warren Buffett and Tao Te Ching: A Modern Investor and an Age-Old Philosophy

Its a good book. There is a section in there where Jim gives 20 points to what a Professional does versus what a amateur will do. For eg he devotes 5 pages as to why it's not a good idea to buy before earnings report. Why one must look beyond a quarter in holding a good stock. Some of the best returns are got when one holds for a long term a good quality stock till the technical's break down. The two chapters on rules is itself worth the money of the book and more if one wants to be in the game of a complicated mind game called stock market. Good luck to all!!

I'm a longtime fan of Mad Money, and Cramer's made me some in the past. His new book is different from the last two, but it's just as entertaining with the same trademark Cramer style. I really liked his advice about 401(k) plans because I didn't have a clue about mine until I read this book.

Cramer does a good job of making some boring personal finance subjects actually seem interesting. I guess if anyone could do it Cramer could. Fans of Real Money and Mad Money will especially appreciate his new rules based on managing his charitable trust, and his list of the differences between professional and amateur investors. At the end of the book he actually gives you a list of mutual funds that earned his seal of approval even though he never talks about that kind of thing on the show. Overall, if you like Cramer, you'll like the book, and if you wish Cramer would talk about more than just stocks, you'll absolutely love it.