Matthew Kratter’s “A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market” – Book Review

The Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market is a fantastic introductory resource for anyone looking to add stocks to their family’s finances.

Find yourself just wondering where to begin, or how to start? Struggling to make sense of definitions, terms, strategies, and the like? Both the long-term investor and short(-er) term trader can gain from Mr. Kratter’s compact presentation of the essentials.

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REVIEWING KRATTER’S “A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE STOCK MARKET.”

I like this book. True to the title – it is a beginner’s guide. Mr. Kratter is succinct and truly gets straight to the point with the fundamentals so you and I can start! As a suggestion (I wouldn’t even call it a critique), I think it could have used a few more case studies on what the author recommends. However, that is only said because I appreciated the examples that he did include so much I wanted more! Interested? You can pick up a copy, here.

Resource Richness and Readability of the “Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market.”

For starters, the book is relatively short and I like that. It is true to the title: it is a guide, and therefore it reads more like an outline. I think beginners and more advanced investors or traders will appreciate the succinct approach. It is sure to be thought-provoking and a health introspective review of stock market strategy, even if one may disagree with the author’s recommendation. As such, all should give it a quick read. He’s optimistic and encourages a steady educated approach to investing. He recommends “to learn how the stock market actually works” for starters.

Adaptability and Application within “ A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market.”

Mr. Kratter’s 20 or so years of trading experience and insight from “the other side” of the professional realm is an asset to readers. He also provides definitions for the “jargon” which I think is a nice touch to ensure we’re all on the same page. Additionally, he outlines a few sets of recommendations and differentiates between trading and investing as he moves through the book. For example, I like his approach to finding the stocks which are “dividend aristocrats.” Which I thought was a helpful example for those looking at dividend stocks to buy.

HOW TO USE “A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO THE STOCK MARKET” IN YOUR MONEY MATTERS

As I’ve mentioned, his book is short (78 pages), clear, and it has material that users can apply right now. I would also like to point out that this book should be viewed as part of a larger library of educational resources he provides. This is a guide, and as such, it doesn’t go “deep” optioning instead for coverage of content. Within the book, Mr. Kratter provides links to other books, his website, and YouTube for those who like more detail. I think this was a great idea and more books should follow that approach (start high level and give readers the chance to “drill-in” as they’d like.)

As mentioned in the book, Hockey Hall of Fame player Wayne Gretzky is quoted as saying “skate where the puck is going, not where it’s been.” This application to investing makes sense and provides a good mental image for investing. Adapt, and invest with the future in mind.

My favorite Mêtis Money Matters points for Family Finances

The whole book was helpful, but my favorite themes are found in his chapters “Make Money with Growth Stocks,” and “A Day Trading Strategy that Actual works.” These resonate with me on two levels:

1. Growth Stocks and 2. Day Trading

The chapter on growth stocks is helpful for those pursuing a longer-term investing strategy. It pairs well with other chapters about active or day trading. Regardless of preference, there is something for both approaches. That said, at Mêtis, we believe in longer-term, diverse, moderate risk investing with more of a passive indexing flavor. This book covers that approach to some degree and also covers what I’ll define as more of a hobby in “trading” stocks. Something for everyone! 

Rocket Stocks

Mr. Kratter has a step-by-step guide to what he thinks will create a potentially attractive opportunity in the stock market. I liked what he categorized as “Rocket stocks” where he feels that long-term holdings are viable in the right conditions. He also correctly underscores the importance of having an exit strategy for the positions you hold!

Final thoughts on “A Beginner’s Guide to the Stock Market.” 

Regardless of your preference for investing, Mr. Kratter’s book is a great place to start. Quick and easy to read, I appreciated his optimistic practical tone and found encouragement from the examples of those who were able to achieve success during their times.

Price

In closing, I hope this gives you a flavor of Mr. Kratter’s book. His tips can help you cultivate Mêtis in your family finances and money matters, both now and over the long-term!