A Letter to My Future Stepson

Oil and Gas industry consultant, Joe M. Thomason, has been an avid stock market investor for decades. He will be the first to admit that he made some mistakes when he was an eager beginner, but since then he has learned to build and manage a portfolio that withstands market downturns and has averaged over 20 percent gains the past several years.

When his future stepson asked him for advice about how to set up a profitable portfolio, Thomason was eager to share his insight. He has now expanded this letter to an entire money-management guide for anyone beginning a new financial journey.

In this simple guide, Thomason covers

• the best ways to get started,
• the importance of establishing an emergency fund,
• the many pitfalls to avoid along the way,
• the different types of accounts and funds you will encounter,
• the pros and cons of mutual funds,
• the nuances of various investment strategies,
• the definitions of some of the most common investment terms, and
• the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about investing.

Thomason's direct advice includes examples for different investment strategies and a warning against following flashy stock trends. His guide allows you to build a solid foundation for your future.