When it comes to one's financials, investing is an indispensable skill that can set the table for your retirement. But for some reason, the craft of investing hasn't been incorporated into school curriculums, leaving most people fumbling in the dark when it comes to stocks, funds, and other types of securities. This book is designed to provide the knowledge that you need to build a healthy, risk-averse investment portfolio. While most investing books are authored by wolves of Wall Street who manage massive funds, this book cuts through the sludge and hones in on what you need to succeed as an amateur investor. The author is Dr. Richard L. Treiman, a retired vascular surgeon who built his wealth by managing a homegrown investment portfolio. By confronting technical topics from a layman's perspective, Dr. Treiman teaches the fundamentals in a way that sticks. Rather than being faced with dry information, you'll be encouraged to absorb the material so that you can apply it to your own investing career.This book consists of nine easy-to-read chapters that cover essential information on common stocks, fixed-income securities, investing strategies, retirement accounts, and more.Chapter 1: The Meat & Potatoes of Common StocksChapter 2: The Mentality of the Successful InvestorChapter 3: How to Choose a Common StockChapter 4: Lessons from the PitChapter 5: General Upkeep: Building a Boat to LastChapter 6: Stocks of a Different Breed (Preferred Stocks, Mutual Funds, and MLPs)Chapter 7: The Value of Fixed-Income Securities (Bonds, Treasuries, and CDs)Chapter 8: Taxes & Accounts: Your Burdens & Your BucketsChapter 9: Setting the Table for Your FutureWhether you're an aspiring investor or a professional looking to take control of your financial future, this is the book for you!