Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life: Get Rich, Stay Rich

by Jim Cramer, Cliff Mason

Jim Cramer, bestselling author and host of CNBC’s Mad Money, has written the ultimate guide to lifetime investing for readers of any age.Whether you’re a recent college grad trying to figure out how to start investing, a young parent struggling to decide where and how to put away money, or someone well into middle age and worried about whether you’ve saved enough for retirement, Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life has the answers. Cramer covers all the how to save, where to invest, which pitfalls to avoid. He offers valuable advice on everything from mortgages to college tuition. He explains what professional money managers do right that amateur investors do wrong. Because there is always a bull market somewhere, Cramer tells readers where to find the bull markets of the future, and for those willing to do the homework, he chooses twenty stocks that could be long-term moneymakers. For those who don’t have the time or the temperament to invest in stocks, he identifies the mutual funds that are proven winners. He’s investigated these funds by using his own twenty-five years’ experience managing money for himself and dozens of America’s wealthiest families. Throughout, in addition to his own enormously successful experience, Cramer draws on rigorous research to back up his advice. Jim Cramer is America’s #1 financial guru. Every day he advises investors on how to get ahead of the markets and stay ahead on his daily television show, Mad Money; in his online columns and commentary at TheStreet.com; in his popular “Bottom Line” column in New York magazine, and on television programs from early morning to late night. His books have all been national bestsellers and have helped educate hundreds of thousands of investors about the perils and promises of the financial markets. USA TODAY called him “the media’s most electrifying market pundit,” and his legions of fans agree. Jim Cramer’s Stay Mad for Life is the definitive money book, a practical, concrete, insightful book of invaluable financial advice that is a joy to read.

Genres: Finance, Business, Nonfiction, Money, Personal Finance, Audiobook, Economics

352 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

James Joseph Cramer is an American television personality, author, entertainer, and former hedge fund manager. He is the host of Mad Money on CNBC, and an anchor on Squawk on the Street. After graduating from Harvard College and Harvard Law School, he worked for Goldman Sachs and then became a hedge fund manager, founder, and senior partner of Cramer Berkowitz. He co-founded TheStreet, which he wrote for from 1996 to 2021. Cramer hosted Kudlow & Cramer from 2002 to 2005. Mad Money with Jim Cramer first aired on CNBC in 2005. Cramer has written several books, including Confessions of a Street Addict (2002), Jim Cramer's Real Money: Sane Investing in an Insane World (2005), Jim Cramer's Mad Money: Watch TV, Get Rich (2006), and Jim Cramer's Get Rich Carefully (2013).

Reviews

[Rebecca Padilla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although this book was a bit tedious to read, it did have some great info on investing for beginners. However, this book was written in 2007, which makes the list of 20 stocks and 13 mutual funds outdated. I guarantee Cramer isn’t recommending Sears stock anymore, seeing as they’ve long been bankrupt. But other than that, great info! You’ll just have to do stock and mutual fund research yourself, or find a more recent book.

[Relleasy Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

this booked changed the way i handle money. its crazy how much we do not value the dollar.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worth the read for everybody who's not a financial wiz.

[John Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written in 2007 and I read it in 2018, so some of it was outdated. Cramer wrote the book to provide good advice for long term investors, but eleven years is a long time and a lot has changed. Still, I believe the book has a lot of valuable, timeless information.

In the early chapters, Cramer talks about 401k accounts and IRAs and his advice on whether to use them and how. His advice on those retirement accounts still holds true today. Even today Cramer advises you contribute only as much as you need to a 401k account to get your employers full matching percentage. After that, you should invest the maximum allowable into an IRA to take advantage of the tax incentives from those contributions. The reason for this is most employers give the employees very little or no control over how the funds in their 401k accounts are invested, but owners have complete control over how IRA funds are invested. Cramer's method allows investors to take advantage of employer matching as well as tax incentives while still maintaining control of most of their investment portfolios.

Three chapters towards the back of the book that I really like are: 6. Twenty New Rules for Investing, 7. What the Pros Do Right and the Amateurs Do Wrong, and 8. Five Bull Markets and Twenty Stocks for the Long Term. I think the twenty rules in chapter six and all the things the pros do right in chapter seven make this book worth buying and reading even today. The value in chapter 8 is in Cramer's explanations of why he liked the stocks he listed. Some of those stocks are not as good as they were eleven years ago, but the explanation Cramer gave on how he picked them will help an investor in making a good choice based on today's markets.

I believe even today, eleven years after it was first published, this book is well worth the time spent reading.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually learned a couple of tips about investing.

[Bennjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written for folks with no investment/savings strategy, though already severely outdated. Book #3 for the year

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book. It is even more relevant in today's economy.

[Kofi Gyimah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wish I had read this book back when I had actually bought the hardcover many years ago. There were a handful of things that I thought were very valuable and practical still today. I have always been a Cramer fan and appreciate his stock prowess and sometimes his enthusiasm! There are stock pics and mutual funds pics that date the book but would have at the time been helpful. That being said he has further inspired me to keep moving forward with my stock investments. My rating is based on if I had read this book when it was published, the last couple chapters are currently outdated.

[Yousif Al Zeera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too loud, but fine, maybe it is the way to keep you mad and enthusiastic. Maybe overconfident in his views and verdicts but doesn't necessarily mean not sensible. You can definitely still learn from him many ideas and thought processes in investing and personal finance matters but you have not to get carried 100% over his convictions because he sounds "too definitive".

[Jamey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This should be mandatory reading before every person graduates from college. Everything you need to know about money and how to manage it to create a legacy for yourself and your children.

[Diljo Johny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting retirements solution guide.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some of the stock and mutual fund recommendations may be dated, but the explanation of how to invest and the definitions of terms is very useful.

[Todd McQueen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting perspectives from the former hedge fund manager about investing. Overly simplistic at times. C

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty basic investing advice for dummies. A few interesting choices for mutual funds.

[Scott Updegraff · Rating 4 out of 5]

You gotta do your own homework. His winning percentage if you blindly follow his picks is less than 50%. Most people don’t know Cramer emphasizes 1 hour of homework per stock you own per week.

[Alberto Lopez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although a little dated, if you want to know how to start on your road to financial prosperity, this is the only book that you need to read. Cramer did a great job tackling all the relevant basics.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay, I admit it. I poo-pooed his last book, and snarked on about how Janus-like Cramer can be. (This is even more evident if you watch his CNBC show -- particularly in these trying days of an economic recession in which a bull market can be hard to find amongst all the bears.) However, in this his latest book published last year while the housing market and over-inflated mortgage industry were just starting to unravel, Cramer successfully manages to avoid a single "Booyah." Instead, he convincingly -- and perhaps surprisingly (for him) -- argues about the importance of solid blue-chip stock investing in the long-term, and even -- gasp! -- makes a number of concessions to the rewards of mutual fund investing (previously anathema to him). Although his high-touted Twenty Stocks to own may lie fallow in the coming years, his economic reasoning behind each investment is economically sound. And if that ain't worth the price of this book, I don't know what is. (Unless, of course, you picked this up for free from your friendly neighborhood library. Which yours truly did.)

[Thomas Janeway · Rating 5 out of 5]

I hated this on-air personality until I began to listen. The shouting, clamoring, bells and whistles, gags, pranks, were all off putting and all outside my comfort zone for intelligence and credibility. That was back in 2008 when the country crashed. After a few shows, I finally got "Jim" and have been a fan ever since. He really provides salient advice that goes against my better impulsive judgments. His television show flies by and so much information is dispensed I had to begin buying his books so he could school me on a different level. Jim's books are chalked full of timely, sage advice. Every person earning money needs to become fluid in their flow of money in and money out. Pay yourself and do it via the stock market. Do not be afraid of losing money. Don't be impatient. Know when it's time to cut your losses and move on. Learn about ETFs and Index funds and how to read charts. Jim is a gift to the regular person who wants to dabble. He coaches you. Guides you. Warns you. Trust this guy. I grew $8k into 10x that by buying into his madness--there is a method.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book doesn't tell you anything new or groundbreaking. He spends the first part of the book building himself and his reputation up, and telling you that he's going to share this great secret with you of how to become rich. The basic premise is that if you save money when you're young, you'll have more of it later. Well duh. At the end he claims that recommending certain stocks or mutual funds would be completely ridiculous, and then he goes on to recommend some. One Mutual Fund in particular, his highest rated, has completely tanked in the last 5 years. I'm not bashing him for a bad pick, you can't predict things like that and the fund did have an incredible run before that drop, but I think putting something so obviously time sensitive in a book is pretty silly, and anyone reading the book after it's first few months of print would probably do best to ignore that part.

[Elise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yes I know I know...he's crazy (and yes, I saw John Stewart's interview with him for those who feel compelled to message me and tell me that he lies etc., which by the way I think is a simplistic view of the situation b/c surely people who just do what he says and don't think for themselves and are willing to believe that any stock investment could ever be a "sure thing" bear some personal responsibility for the losses they suffered....but I digress), the fact is, he's made a shit ton of money, and I'm putting money into a 403(b) and I have to figure out how to manage it. This is just one book of many I'll be reading on this subject and I don't plan to take what he has to say as gospel truth (when have I ever done that with anyone come to think of it....). I'll update my review when I finish the book, but in all honesty, so far I've found it informative and helpful.

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life offers essential investing strategies tailored for individuals at various life stages, from recent grads to those approaching retirement. The book covers saving methods, investment options, and pitfalls to avoid while providing guidance on mortgages and college tuition.

As America's leading financial guru, Jim Cramer shares his extensive expertise through various platforms, including his television show Mad Money and online columns. He has become a trusted voice for investors, earning praise for his ability to simplify complex financial concepts.

Cramer's Stay Mad for Life is a comprehensive resource that combines his personal experience with thorough research. The book highlights potential bull markets and recommends stocks and mutual funds, making it an invaluable guide for both novice and seasoned investors.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jim Cramer is not only a very smart investor, but his passion is so fun to listen to on audiobook! He actually kept me awake on some very long drives, and I learned a lot about investing in the process. He does a great job of breaking down the differences between stocks, mutual funds, bonds, and all sorts of other investments in a way that's both easy to understand and not insulting to the intellect. A great primer if you're new to investing, or currently have a 401K or any other retirement investment that you don't really understand.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I skipped the first 50 pages as it was basically the same info that I read last year in Investing for Dummies. A pretty basic book on investing and setting up your retirement funds.

I did get some good ideas on limiting 401K contributions and the advantages of IRAs over 401Ks. I have implemented his advice on this and those decisions are already paying off. I also enjoyed the section on how to choose a good mutual fund. Anyone with a 401K is forced to choose from a limited basket of mutual funds so Jim's advice on picking the best one is greatly appreciated.

[Dan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This website needs an option for read some of it and stopped. It has some good points. From what I read, the book is good, basic financial advice and isn't like this guy's show if you've seen it. It's sort of like a textbook but a little more entertaining and he isn't afraid to go against the grain. I stopped reading it when basically everything I read was common sense or how I already thought about it. Save more than you spend. Pay off your debt. Invest. Don't put all your eggs in one basket, etc. I'm keeping it on shelf for reference.

[Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book after "Sane Investing." Jim Cramer is my hero. In today's information age, Jim is the voice of reason and experience. He provides the average person the means to succeed on Wall Street. If you are thinking about investing, then read this book and then read it again. This book discusses how to invest in your retirement accounts.

[Marko G2G · Rating 3 out of 5]

May be somewhat difficult to get into if this is your first book on investing. I watched the t.v. show (Mad Money) for months before finally purchasing the book. Once I took what this book and others were saying, it gave me the confidence to start investing in the stock market (something I don't do from a short term perspective). It also gave me the confidence to start sharing this with my children.

[Dan McMillan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this at the start of 2008. There is a great deal of information about retirement, investing and helping making families in a good financial position. Some of the stock recommendations at the end are only for the time this book was written as companies can change ownership along with how industries are as well. I definitely recommend it, especially for those wanting to help save for retirement and this who have kids and want to put some money aside for their college and afterwards.

[Siddhartha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cramer is best known for his show on CNBC, where he loudly declares what the winning and losing stocks are. In this book he outlines some specific rules for making over your finicial life that I find to be very useful. Not the only book you should read, but very helpful to read someone who actually made millions on the stock market.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for anyone interested in learning about 401(k) trading stock, and the market in general. It has a wealth of financial information.
Cramer seems to really care about the poor scared amateur, who doesn't want to chance a loss on something that he doesn't know about. Zaney guy, great book.

B/B = BUY

[Gary · Rating 4 out of 5]

great introduction to investing, but read a lot more before jumping right in because not everything is as wonderful as he makes it sound. For example, he talks about the stock market being up over the past 30 years, and therefore it will be up over the next 30 years, but the stock market has been down the past 11 years so... learn some terms, get excited, try it out, but this is a crash course.