Investing, Plainly
The book that will save you mistakes and money. Every common way to invest explained in plain language, the arithmetic of compound interest, and the lessons of a lifetime — not advice, just what I learned.
$19.90 one-time · PDF e-book · 40 pages · instant download
What each investment actually is, how the arithmetic works, and what survived every market I lived through
I spent decades in commercial real estate and later in technology. Along the way I bought property, held cash, kept money in funds, and watched friends make and lose fortunes. This is the explanation I wish someone had given me at thirty — including the compound-interest arithmetic that surprises almost everyone, and my own mistakes.
Part I · The arithmetic
Compound interest, the 4%-investment-vs-6%-loan observation (with the fair comparison), inflation, risk in plain words, fees, diversification.
Part II · Every common way to invest
Cash, government and corporate bonds, stocks, index funds and ETFs, managed funds, your home, rental and commercial property and REITs, pensions, gold, crypto, a business, and the things you do not understand.
Part III · The lessons
Time beats timing, debt is the enemy of compounding, visible and invisible costs, the story is not the investment, know yourself, write it down — and what I got wrong.
Part IV · Worksheets for the adviser
Your money map, your dates and your sleep, questions to ask a licensed adviser.
How it is written
Each investment: what it is, how it earns, how it loses, what it costs, who it tends to suit. Real numbers throughout.
Who this is for
Anyone who wants to understand before they act. This is not an investment offer or advice: it is the author's personal impressions from a working life. Before investing anything, consult a licensed investment adviser who knows your situation.
About the author
Meir Gilady is an Israeli entrepreneur and independent thinker based in Holon. Alongside a career in commercial real estate he builds software under the AILAMA name — including AILAMA Mind and ToolVerse — and writes about physics, technology and everyday wellbeing on Medium.
Questions
Which format? A PDF laid out for 6×9 in — reads well on a phone, tablet, laptop or printed. Refunds? Full refund within 30 days — reply to your Gumroad receipt.