Why Bother With Bonds: A Guide To Build All-Weather Portfolio Including CDs, Bonds, and Bond Funds--Even During Low Interest Rates (How To Achieve Financial Independence)

A practical how-to guide for every investor.For ordinary investors who want to build an all-weather portfolio.It is time-proven wisdom, and encourages you to take control of your finances. Learn how to use CDs, bonds, and bond funds to manage risk/reward even during low interest rates.You will learn: How to choose your stocks/bonds allocation How to become immune to changing interest rates When to use CDs and individual bonds How to choose a good bond fund How to hedge against unexpected inflation Contents:Foreword by Larry SwedroeIntroduction- Who Should Read This Book?- Start with a Sound Financial LifestyleWhy Bother With Bonds?- Stocks are risky in the short-run, and the long run too!- Bonds Make Risk More Palatable- Bonds Can Be A Safe Bet- Bonds Are An Attractive Investment DiversifierLife Is Complicated. Bonds Are Not.- What is a Money Market Fund?- Are CDs Better Than Bonds?- What Are Bonds?- What is a Bond Ladder?- Individual Bonds or a Bond Fund?Bonds: Risks and Returns- Yield, Price And Making Comparisons-- How To Compare Individual Bond Returns-- How to Compare Bond Fund Returns-- Total Return: To Measure And Compare Performance- How To Reduce Risk From Interest Rates Changes-- Duration: The Point of Indifference to Interest Rates-- Duration: The Measure of Sensitivity to Interest Rates- How To Reduce Risk From Unexpected Inflation-- Real versus Nominal Interest Rates-- Why Include TIPS In Your Portfolio?- Credit Quality or Default RiskBuild The Bond Portion Of Your Portfolio- Start With Your Goals.- How Much Risk Is Right For You?-- Understand How Much Risk You're Taking-- Take Your Risk In Stock Market, Not Bond Market-- How Much in Bonds? How Much in Stocks?-- Your Needs Change Over Time- The Importance of Low Cost-- How Much To Diversify Bonds?-- The Importance of Low Cost-- Five Low-Cost Strategies You Can Do Yourself- Taxes Matter- Example Portfolios (both good and bad)Common Misconceptions Important to Correct- Stocks Are Safer In The Long Run- Holding a Bond (or CD) to Maturity Eliminates Risk- Stocks Are Safer Than Bonds- The Best Funds Have The Most Stars- A One Percent Fee Is Small- Rising Interest Rates are Bad for Bond Holders- You Can't Beat the Market Using Index Funds- Use Multiple Investment Companies To Diversify- You Need Many Mutual Funds to Diversify