THE VANILLA NEWSLETTER

Expand Your Knowledge Base

Deep dives on money, investing, personal finance, & wealth-building.

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing (by John C. Bogle)

The Little Book of Common Sense Investing (by John C. Bogle)

July 08, 2023

Written by Vanguard founder John Bogle, "The Little Book of Common Sense Investing" talks about why investing in index funds is better than investing in actively managed mutual funds. Published in 2007, it gives timeless advice on how to get your fair share of stock market returns without betting on high returns that come with actively managed funds, which often have high fees. Bogle's main idea is to own a wide variety of the nation's publicly traded companies at very low costs. This way, you can get most of the returns these companies make through dividends and growth. Bogle says that trying to beat the market is a losing game. So, why are index funds better than actively managed mutual funds, and why did Bogle focus his career on them?

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The 4-Hour Workweek (by Tim Ferriss)

The 4-Hour Workweek (by Tim Ferriss)

December 20, 2023

The subtitle of the book says, "Escape 9-5, live anywhere, and join the new rich." It sounds too good to be true and maybe like a scam, but is it possible? Yes, it is. How do I know? Because I've researched and studied numerous success stories of people who have done it. So, yes, it's possible. But can most people do it? No, they can't. Some people think this means the book is bad or a scam. Think about it this way: If you spill coffee on your favorite shirt in the morning and then your car won't start, can you still be happy? Sure, but most people can't. But that doesn't mean books like Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning or Stephen Covey's The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People are bad or scams.

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The Intelligent Investor (by Benjamin Graham)

The Intelligent Investor (by Benjamin Graham)

June 24, 2024

You don't need to be super smart, have insider information, or be lucky to do well in investing. What you need is a good plan for making choices and a way to stay calm under pressure. Which is what Benjamin Graham’s book, "The Intelligent Investor," gives you — a clear strategy combined with tips on how to stay cool. This plan has worked really well for over 100 years. Many people, including Graham and his followers, have done great by using it. One of his most famous students, Warren Buffett, who is currently the eighth richest person in the world, even says it's "the best book on investing ever written."

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Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant (by Robert Kiyosaki)

Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant (by Robert Kiyosaki)

March 31, 2024

Have you ever been told the classic advice growing up: "Just go to school, get good grades, and land a secure, well-paying job"? It's likely that around 95% of us were raised with this belief as the road to financial success. I certainly was. While this path may be suitable for some people, it's not necessarily the best fit for everyone. In Robert Kiyosaki's book "Rich Dad's Cashflow Quadrant," he breaks down four distinct paths to wealth, suggesting that some are more effective than others.

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Think and Grow Rich (by Napoleon Hill)

Think and Grow Rich (by Napoleon Hill)

August 27, 2023

Think And Grow Rich is widely regarded as one of the most influential self-help books ever written. What makes it stand out is the wealth of wisdom compiled from some of the most prominent figures of the 20th century, including John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison. Napoleon Hill, the author, dedicated nearly three decades to interviewing these titans of industry to uncover the secrets of their success.

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The Psychology of Money (by Morgan Housel)

The Psychology of Money (by Morgan Housel)

October 07, 2023

Succeeding financially isn't just about knowing things; it's also about how you act and behave. Renowned author Morgan Housel wrote a book called "The Psychology of Money." In it, he shares stories that shed light on people's attitudes toward money and offers advice on understanding and improving your financial mindset.

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I Read 40 Books On Money - Here's What Will Make You Rich

I Read 40 Books On Money - Here's What Will Make You Rich

May 06, 2023

In the last few years, I've delved into nearly every book available on money and investing. From the foundational classics like "Rich Dad Poor Dad" covering the basics, to psychology-focused reads like "Think and Grow Rich," and those delving into investing strategies such as "One Up on Wall Street."

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The Millionaire Fastlane (by MJ DeMarco)

The Millionaire Fastlane (by MJ DeMarco)

November 12, 2023

Interestingly, most people don't act in a way that reflects the desire for speed to build wealth. Instead, they often choose the slower and less efficient routes. So, we will explore how we can achieve our financial goals at a much faster pace!

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Rich Dad Poor Dad Summary (By Robert Kiyosaki)

Rich Dad Poor Dad Summary (By Robert Kiyosaki)

July 15, 2023

It's obvious that most of us remain broke because of our diverse views about money. Some of us insist that money is the root of all evil. However, rich people see money as a tool to make more money and the lack of it as the root of numerous evils.

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