Synopses & Reviews
"Insightful, tidy, essential, provocative, and witty . . ."
—Jerry Goodman, a.k.a Adam Smith,author of The Money Game and Supermoney
The markets seem so crazy these days that an investor—and we're all investors now with our 401(k)s, retirements, and college educations to finance—hardly knows where to turn. While we struggle, the affluent seem to do just fine. How do they do it? Two words: asset allocation. No one knows this better than David Darst, one of the world's foremost and visionary experts on what it takes to make the most with your money.
In The Little Book That Saves Your Assets, Darst distills his immense knowledge into a gem of a guide that anyone can use. Based on a lifetime of clear thinking and innovative research borne out of decades of real-world experience, this book presents the art and science of asset allocation in a crisp, down-to-earth fashion. It's like having your own chief investment strategist on call, just as the wealthy have, to guide you through the turbulent waters of the global financial markets.
Page by page, Darst describes the practical principles behind the process of managing your money in today's challenging investment climate and stresses the substantial investment returns that the right mix of stocks, bonds, cash, gold, real estate, commodities, and other assets can bring to your portfolio. He also explains the critical concept of correlation and how to spread your investments among uncorrelated asset classes to enhance returns and reduce the risks of long-term investing.
With the burden of investment responsibility shifted squarely onto the shoulders of individuals, positioning your portfolio for optimal long-term performance has taken on even greater meaning. Bottom line: if you don't manage your investments in a professional fashion, you'll suffer for it. With The Little Book That Saves Your Assets as your guide, Darst will put you on a path that will help you maximize your returns and achieve your life goals. Whether you decide to do it on your own or with the help of a trusted advisor, you need to understand the ins and outs of asset allocation, and this book will help you learn what the wealthy have long known—that 80% of investment returns are found to come from correct asset allocation.
Wealthy individuals and financial institutions have successfully used the asset allocation strategies outlined by David Darst to protect and grow their assets. Let The Little Book That Saves Your Assets show you how to do this too.
Review
"My favorite is
The Little Book that Saves your Assets: What the Rich Do to Stay Wealthy in Up and Down Markets...Darst says to thrive financially today you must practice asset allocation, compiling a financial portfolio with assets that make money when the economy is doing well, but also including assets that make money when the economy slows down."
- Susan Rucci, BookPage, January 2009 Issue
"This 208-page, coat-pocket-size book also comments on why people often muff planning their financial futures. "We take eight weeks to buy a new necktie or dress but then make investment decisions that affect our entire life and net worth after an eight-minute phone conversation," the author writes. To help his readers avoid such pitfalls, he includes some probing questions to ask a prospective investment adviser."–WSJ
The timing couldn't be better . . . with the markets entering bear territory and anxiety over the economy deepening across the country. But Darst's lessons are timeless: the importance of diversification, matching assets to goals and not "confusing a bull market for brains." He imparts them and quite a bit more in a highly readable little book that would make a great present not only for first-time clients and prospects but junior planners as well.–Financial Planning
Synopsis
It's difficult to buy and sell the right stock every year, and it's nearly impossible to outperform the market year in and year out. Then how do so many people continue to see substantial market-beating investment returns with portfolios that just seem to grow and grow, year in and year out? With the help from savvy asset allocation strategies, such as those developed by David Darst, Mr. Asset Allocation, and considered by many the leading thinker in asset allocation strategies. More art than science, more behavior than financial engineering, Darst entertainingly informs everyone how they too can invest like the rich. Dynamic yet understandable, The Little Book That Saves Your Assets revolutionizes the world of asset allocation. Based on brilliant thinking and leading research, Darst's writing has been lauded as crisp, ultra-clear, and always down-to-earth. Now this crucial topic is accessible to anyone -- investors and pros alike -- all of who need to know the best in asset allocation strategies. It isthe difference between mediocre and stellar returns.
Synopsis
"Darst delivers his wisdom like fine champagne: full of sparkle and so good you hate to finish it. All investors have much to gain from his sparkling advice."
Peter L. Bernstein, author of Capital Ideas, Against the Gods, The Power of Gold, and Capital Ideas Evolving
"Asset allocation is an art, David Darst is the master. This entertaining and readable little book enables individual investors to do what the pros do, build and save their assets!"
Consuelo Mack, Anchor and Managing Editor, Consuelo Mack WealthTrack on PBS
"David Darst is a walking encyclopedia of investment information. This book is an invaluable source and reference."
Barton Biggs, Managing Partner, Traxis Partners
"David Darst has produced another winner! This book is a must-read for any investor who is serious about seeking the best risk-adjusted return on a portfolio."
Samuel L. Hayes, Jacob H. Schiff Professor of Investment Banking, Emeritus, Harvard Business School
"With his decades of experience, Darst entertainingly debunks the mysteries of investinghelping you grow the value of your assets while achieving peace of mind in the process."
Byron Wien, Chief Investment Strategist, Pequot Capital Management
Synopsis
Dynamic yet understandable, "The Little Book That Saves Your Assets" revolutionizes the world of asset allocation. Darst's writing has been lauded as clear and down to earth, making this crucial topic accessible to anyone who wants to know the best in asset allocation strategies.
Synopsis
If you’ve ever wondered how investors continue to see substantial market-beating investment returns with portfolios that just seem to grow and grow, The Little Book that Saves Your Assets: What the Rich Do to Stay Wealthy in Up and Down Markets will reveal some secrets. David Darst, also known as Mr. Asset Allocations, shows you how to use savvy asset allocation strategies that you can use to invest like the rich do. This dynamic and easy-to-understand book allows you to rethink your asset allocation strategies and make the leap from mediocre to stellar returns.
About the Author
David M. Darst is a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley. He serves as Chief Investment Strategist of the firm's Global Wealth Management Group and is the Chairman of the Asset Allocation Committee. Darst is also the founding president of the Morgan Stanley Investment Group. Prior to joining Morgan Stanley in 1996, he was with Goldman Sachs for over twenty years, where he served as a senior executive in the Equities Division. Darst is often quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Financial Times, among others. He is also a frequent guest on CNBC, Bloomberg, and FOX News. He earned his MBA from Harvard Business School and received a BA in economics from Yale University. Darst is a CFA charterholder.
Table of Contents
Foreword.
Introduction.
Chapter One. We All Do It (Even If We Don't Realize It).
Chapter Two. Everyone Needs an Uncle Frank.
Chapter Three. Building Your House.
Chapter Four. Parts of the Whole – Combining Dreams into a Plan.
Chapter Five. Two Strategies to Win the Battle for Investment Survival.
Chapter Six. Do You Know Where You Are Going?
Chapter Seven. Mix, Don't Match.
Chapter Eight. Our Minds, Our Selves.
Chapter Nine. The Jockey Matters as Much as the Horse.
Chapter Ten. Riding Out Storms.
Chapter Eleven. Build Your House on These Rocks.
Chapter Twelve. Count to Zen.
Chapter Thirteen. Seven Quick Ways to Ruin.
Chapter Fourteen. The Road Less Traveled that You Should Take Right Now.
Who Are You? (Determining Your Investment Profile).
What Do You Think? (Determining Your Investment Outlook).
What Works For You? (Determining Your Investment Selection).
Don't Take My Word for It.
Acknowledgments.