Publisher's Synopsis
I wish to be transparent (unusual for the investment industry!), so this section will be mainly reasons not to buy this book. Note that this is an introduction to special situations investing as I disclose in the title, so it is quite a short book. It contains about 23,000 words and stops short of providing numerous real special situations examples that I have invested in. Expanding on examples is a project I plan for another future date. This book outlines the reasons why I choose this style of investing for financial independence. I regularly write on my blog at https: //valueinvestingforaliving.com/Don't expect the book to be too US centric. I invest mainly on the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX), including many closed end funds there (known as Listed Investment Companies - LICs). However the themes of the book are relevant for investors across the globe.Don't expect saving tips. I think we have already heard about how saving on a coffee per day can increase your wealth.I won't talk about how one ASX200 ETF might be a couple of basis points cheaper over another this year. This stuff isn't that hard to find out on google.It isn't aimed for investors with zero experience in the stock market. (If you have spent just a few years investing, thinking about stock market issues, and owning the odd direct company exposure though the book may well suit).I won't debate whether that 50/50 split for Australian v Global share should be 45/55. This debate will just go around in circles, and only the individual can come to terms with their comfort levels on such small changes.I won't suggest FIRE is easily obtainable for the average person. Go outside and have a look, most 40 year old's haven't retired. It is obviously very difficult and rare. Don't expect and e-book here on "3 easy steps to early retirement", and a follow up training course.The book is not written to plug a stock tipping course or anything like that. You often hear many raising the question why would a successful investor run a business tipping stocks? The theory is if that was a good skillset for them they would be using it to generate their own returns. I think there is some truth in that. To some degree this may also apply to sections of the funds management industry.The book won't be giving current stock tips that I suggest you buy or any other type of financial advice. I am not licenced to do so. Any information in this book is general of nature and I do not know the reader's financial circumstances.The book will unlikely feature stock stories of great exciting companies you are familiar with. My way of investing often involves extremely boring companies. Some having poor histories on their way to being wound up, some having management that are very unappealing. With the stocks I usually own, if I mentioned them at a BBQ I would probably just get a few blank stares. Then I would soon be standing by myself.WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUTIt is a description of the thinking behind the investment strategies that have worked for me. My strategies have helped me achieve financial independence earlier in life. They have outperformed major equity benchmarks with much lower drawdowns.Please understand this is just my experience. For some investors trying these methods they could potentially work out terribly. You have to think about whether the style suits you or not and do plenty of your own research.I certainly believe the majority of investors should stick to a simpler strategy. The book just offers food for thought for some investors who may want to pick their own stocks. It may suit those who don't have a high degree of confidence that the major equity indexes will produce returns similar to historic levels. It might also suit those who prefer a strategy that may see lower drawdowns than the benchmark's experience in major bear markets. E.g. the GFC
