Author: Steven Podno

Publisher: Oakhill Press, 1647 Cedar Grove Road, Winchester, VA 22603

ISBN 1-886939-67-5 

The following review was contributed by: Roger E. Herman & click to view Roger E. Herman's Reviews 

Even more than you wanted to know!

We’ve all used the expression “everything you ever wanted to know, but were afraid to ask.” This information-packed book goes even further.

The author is an MD who specialized in respiratory medicine. He invested successfully over two decades, learning more and more about how to build and manage wealth. Over time, we might say he converted his hobby into a new profession, earning an MBA and earning the well-respected Certified Financial Planning designation.

Employing what might be described as an effective “bedside manner,” Dr. Podnos explains a wide range of investment and tax strategies in terms that make sense even to the uninitiated. And, since the book is directed toward people who already have knowledge (subtitle: A Practical Guide to Financial Planning for Affluent Investors), it could be construed to be even more understandable. I approached this book as having minimal knowledge of financial planning and was able to comprehend and appreciate the teachings.

Readers will gain a clear message that each individual will benefit most from a tailored plan, one that meets specific needs and circumstances. With the complexity of available alternatives, the most wise strategy is to engage a professional financial planner who works for you—rather than earning compensation from the sale of securities, insurance, or other instruments. The author even tells you, in his numerous resource listings (at the end of each chapter) how to find Certified Financial Planners. The book will educate you enough to know what questions to ask…at least to start.

You’ll learn about investing, retirement planning, education planning, risk management and asset protection, health and disability planning, life insurance and annuities, charitable planning, estate planning, tax planning, and working with advisors. As you can see, this book is certainly comprehensive. It’s a thought-provoking guidebook that has value for investors—and potential investors—at all levels.