Book Review: Money Logic by Moshe Milevsky

York University finance professor Moshe Milevsky (with co-author Michael Posner) takes us through a series of investment issues in this very worthwhile book, valuable both for its impeccable logic debunking certain common misconceptions and for its informal, readable, common sense approach to providing the explanations. The focus is on principles not on assessment of specific products from individual companies. That is not to say the analysis he presents to the reader is general and not actionable. On the contrary, Milevsky gives us the tools to make our own decision about the topics he covers.

The list of topics includes:

• assessing mutual fund performance
• dollar cost averaging as an investment approach
• the value of segregated mutual funds
• the whys of international diversification
• index-linked GICs
• how to do-it-yourself to get the same benefit as offered by index-linked GICs
• the mortgage paydown vs RRSP invest decision
• asset allocation in retirement - how much equity vs fixed income and why
• after the RRSP years - RRIFs vs annuities
• general discussion of risk or uncertainty in making future decisions and how to factor it in

For each of these topics, Milevsky first explains the nature of the product or issue, with analogies and simple examples, then he brings to bear the logic and the results of research (sparing us the details of the math or the computer models used) to draw out the conclusions or principles. His constant reference to probabilities makes us understand how many of the decisions depend on certain circumstances. For instance, in the annuities vs RRIF chapter, he uses life expectancy statistics to show how the benefit rises progressively (and differently for men and for women due to the longer life expectancy of women) the later the purchase of the annuity is made. His conclusion does not waffle however: "... it therefore makes very little sense in my judgment to convert an RRSP to a life annuity at age 69. The odds say that it makes more sense to wait." Hint: it's age 75 for men and 80 for women. There is also a handy short summary at the end of each chapter.

Though not revised since its publication in 1999, there is little feeling of it being dated. In some cases, like the admonition to us to diversify internationally, it has become more relevant, since the federal government has since removed the RRSP foreign content limit, advocated by Milevsky in the book.

Many people could benefit from reading this book and understanding and accepting some basic conclusions that still rage on as debates in the blogosphere. For instance, dollar cost averaging as an investment approach is stupid because it lowers investment returns, though regular automatic savings that are invested make a lot of sense because most people don't save. In other words, if you have a lump sum available from a lottery win, don't wait to invest it for reasons of dollar cost averaging. If you want to see why, buy Milevsky's book or borrow it from the library. Another topic of this sort is the RRSP vs mortgage payment debate (see here at MillionDollarJourney for example). Hint: There is only one factor to consider - anyone want to guess what it is? ;-)

In short, get the book and read it, it's only 200 big print pages and won't put you to sleep. Five out of five stars.

Buy this book at
chapters.indigo.ca