Here is a book review of Retire Rich Invest Rs. 40 a day….planning to carry more such reviews. This is by a person who is over 55 years of age.

I liked the chapters on withdrawals(pun intended) after retirement – the topic on annuities and how they could be used effectively to protect equity based investments from redemption at the wrong time.
I would have liked to see some more on direct equity investment strategies,especially for those who have appetite for risk and those who enjoy that route as a process for wealth accumulation. Not all investors all alike,although the objectives may be the same. some need the thrill of directly participating in the market process whereas some will be content to be passive investors.

Also I would have liked to see something written on traders and speculators.  Although,many of us have a dislike for them as a class,we are also aware of the important role they are playing for liquidity. They are the people who are bearing the brunt of the market forces(very often fooled by randomness to borrow a phrase)and also reaping the maximum benefits in boom times. perhaps a few pages on how they could play a more constructive role might have been made it more complete.

Funnily all the above categories of people with totally different temparaments and inclinations have the same objective of wealth creation. It’s pretty much similar to everyone seeking moksha but following different paths(jnana,karma,bhakti etc).

I was a little surprised with ur solution for ‘asset rich ,cash poor’type of people. I am not a regular reader of your blogs,but can recall reading long time ago about ur views on owning a house. based on that, I thought you would recommend selling off the asset(a flat?),convert to cash and invest appropriately,while living in a rented place. i would probably do that in such a situation.

My last comment on the book has to do with the title itself. Isn’t it all about managing one’s money at all stages of one’s life? why bring in retirement?

My view of retirement is completely different.  One retires only when one dies or incapacitated physically or mentally.And during the course of one’s life,one has to keep balancing and re – balancing nature of work.  For example,when one is young,one may engage 90% of time in making money and the balance on ‘other activities’ of general good.  When one retires,i suppose it will get reversed, i.e. one spends less time on making money while increasing proportion of time on helping the unfortunate(children or poor or whoever is in need).

In other words, I am trying to project the importance of making money(if you can)as long as possible,even if it is not for selfish reasons!

Subra’s note:

This is Mr. C S Narasimhan’s views on the book. Who is he?

After completing his Ph.d in Chemistry from IIT Madras, spent a few years in Europe & USA before settling down in India. Presently heading Technical function for a Chemicals manufacturer in Mumbai. Besides his profession, he is keenly interested in Carnatic music, Study of Philosophy,Yoga & Meditation. He is a Thyagaraja Fan and runs his blog  csnarasimhan.wordpress.com/

It is worth a visit…at least once a week to read about Ramayana, Bhagavatam, Music, ..generally even Chennai autorickshaws and meeting with doctors and the police :). He is one person who has created enough work for himself post retirement 🙂 He will not be ‘bored’ like some of the other people whom I meet – and are paranoid about ‘boredom’ in retirement.