On the money

A diverse mix of investments lies at the heart of a good financial plan. And bonds represent one of the cornerstones of a balanced portfolio.

Bonds take many forms, and offer a range of returns. If you’d like to learn more about bonds, you might consult one of the following books:

¢”Naked Guide to Bonds” by Michael V. Brandes, John Wiley & Sons, 2004 ($29.95). It breaks down the financial jargon to get to the essence of bond investment.

¢”Getting Started in Bonds, 2nd Edition” by Sharon Saltzgiver Wright, John Wiley & Sons, 2003 ($19.95). The book covers different bond types, pricing, yield and bond mutual funds.

¢”The Money-Making Guide to Bonds” by Hildy Richelson and Stan Richelson, Bloomberg Press, 2002 ($26.95). It provides detailed information on dozens of bond types and bond funds.

¢”All About Bonds and Bond Mutual Funds, 2nd Edition” by Esme Faerber. McGraw-Hill, 2000 ($16.95). It discusses bond strategies and how to conduct research on different types of bonds.