What a way to end 2007. I turned my world upside down with $650 worth of books purchased at less than half price (my holiday gifts to myself). Some books focused on walking, as I'm about to open a walking blog based upon my new obsession. Other books focused on how to mange a personal training business, as I'm now managing my personal trainer. Finally, I purchased books about personal finance, because that's what I write about. I think all those books are tax deductible, but that's not the point.

The point is that Donald Trump finally got around to validating the fact that I think like a billionaire. Or, as my mother would say, I have "caviar taste on a hot dog budget." Trump's book, "Think Like a Billionaire," contains some shiny gems, although it was written a full three years ago. This book will remain contemporary at least for another decade, because The Donald is so totally full of himself in this book - which is highly amusing - and because Trump talks about things that will never, ever change.

Take the following information from the chapter on how to buy stocks and bonds, for example:

1. Do your homework before you invest. A dumb investor is a dead investor.
   
   
2. Hire an advisor if you can afford one, and always research what you are buying. Don't go for the hot tip or the quick hit. Those types of investments usually end up in the trashcan.
   
   
3. Buy companies only when you understand what they do. It is always easy to go with the herd and buy what everyone else is buying, but remember what happened to most of the dot-coms you bought? Stick to what you know.

Do some of those words of wisdom seem familiar? Research, research, research. Even when you can afford an advisor, you still need to conduct research. And, while Trump isn't fond of stocks and bonds (he equates investing with gambling), he can sure tell his readers how to research a stock:

I find it fascinating that Trump follows this three-page chapter on stocks and bonds with a two-page chapter on "How to Spot a Fraud," followed by a three-page chapter on "How to Pinch Pennies." I'll tell you one thing - this Trump guy sure knows how to mince his words. The book is easy reading, and you'll learn a lot. But, this book is good only if you want to think or live like Donald Trump.

What if you want to think or live like Ivana Trump? Then you can purchase her book about how to survive divorce. She will tell you to "get tough, get on with your life, keep busy, look good, and find a new man." However, this advice comes from a billionaire ex-wife's perspective, not from the burger-slinger who lives one street over. While her book might be fun and strange, I hope you're going for independence rather than dependence on someone else. If you're going for independence, then I would purchase all of Donald Trump's books.

Or, you could purchase books written by other billionaires. Or, you could purchase books about fictitious romances between a billionaire and a woman from the wrong side of the tracks (can we hear it for "Pretty Woman" or "Cinderella"?). Or, finally, you could refrain from buying any books and stick that money into your portfolio instead.

But how can you resist writing like this: "When you have a lot of money, it can cause misery. But I'd rather have that kind of misery than the misery without it."

Until Next Week,
Linda Goin