Check it out

Whether you’re celebrating investment gains or mourning your fried

nest egg, a number of new resources at Newport libraries can help you

build or rebuild a solid portfolio. For newcomers intimidated by

investment options, “Investing for Dummies” is a down-to-earth reference

aimed at readers of all ages and income levels.

Starting with the basics, best-selling author Eric Tyson explores the

risks and returns of everything from real estate to mutual funds and CDs

to stocks and bonds in this easy-to-understand investment guide.

Also written for those just beginning to mold their investment pie is

“Getting Started in Asset Allocation,” featuring a system for organizing

holdings according to risk level and financial situation.

Whether you’re single, married with children, saving for college or

retired, helpful tips and practical guidelines for dividing assets can be

found in Bill Bresnan’s user-friendly manual.

After losing a small fortune in the stock market, Michael Sincere

turned to three dozen professional money managers and investment gurus.

Their advice, which Sincere credits with helping him regain everything he

lost, is summarized in “101 Investment Lessons from the Wizards of Wall

Street,” a primer free of technical jargon, aimed at all investors

interested in reaping the rewards of a bull market while avoiding common

mistakes.

If you’d like to know how the world’s greatest investor selects

individual companies, check out “The Warren Buffett Portfolio” for a look

at the mathematics, psychology and mental models critical for building a

successful portfolio. Called “focus investing,” this strategy for stock

management directs investors to select a concentrated group of businesses

by examining their management and financial positions as compared to

their stock prices.

For less patient investors, “The Electronic Day Trader” presents

tactics for getting same-day trading profits without using a stockbroker.

Written for speculators interested in gaining equal footing with big-name

brokers, this online trading guide demonstrates ways to get instant

quotes and to purchase both NYSE and NASDAQ stocks via keyboard.

Those with lower-risk tolerance may be better served by “Savings

Bonds,” in which Daniel Pederson explores when to hold and when to cash

in on government bonds. In fine detail, he analyzes each type of bond and

explains how to evaluate what you own, avoid tax traps and maximize

interest in your holdings.

In addition to circulating resources, such references as Standard &

Poor’s Stock Reports, Value Line Investment Survey, Morningstar, Mutual

Funds and dozens of magazines and newspapers can serve both beginning and

experienced investors.

Pick up “Investment Information Services” at any Newport Beach Public

Library for an annotated list of these and other investment-oriented

resources.

Still having trouble making sense of strategies for multiplying

dollars? Check out “Greed is Good,” an entertaining guide that reveals

what stocks, bonds and mutual funds are and why any person would want to

invest in them.

CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public Library.

This week’s column is by Melissa Adams, in collaboration with Tim

Hetherton.