Book Testimonials

Hi Larry:

Just received my copy on Monday, June 5, 2006. Read the entire book in two days.  Lots of interesting points and stories.  Thought the book was well worth the money. 

One important point came home to me. In retirement, entire portfolio in equities and another in 50/50 balance or equities/fixed income. Both at a withdrawal rate of 8%; the balance portolio outlasted the 100% equity. At the end of 22 years, the balance portfolio had an increase in value even with a 8% annual withdrawal rate. The equity portfolio had a higher annual average return but I guess the withdrawals reduced the equity portfolio so it could not recover and keep up with the balance one over the 22 years.

My question is: Most professional suggest annual withdrawal rates of 4-5% to increase the probability of their money lasting until they pass on. Is it common for you to recommend an 8% annual withdrawal rate?

I read an article from a certified financial planner last year.  He stated in his practice, most clients spent more money directly after retirement. Most of his clients who lived more than 20 years after retirement began to spend substantially less money. They actually ending up growing their retirement accounts by the time they were deceased from their beginning retirement account at 65 years old. I believe the CFP was from Wisconsin and this study may have been published in a CFP national journal.

Thanks,

- Randy Lum

Larry's Book Bridging the Financial Gap:

1. A MUST READ for the novice as well as the mature investor
2. Simply written and easy to read  Well Organized
3. Would LOVE to see every young healthcare professional as well as any other investor use this book as a PRIMER.
4. It touches every aspect of your financial life
5. Following most or all of this advice will assure you financial well being with the least amount of effort
6. I suggested to my CPA that he gift it to his clients.

Would like to see this book used in Dental Schools.

Kenny,

I agree 100% with your review of "Bridging the Financial Gap” by Larry Mathis (and I paid for my copy!). This would be a great text for a senior year on basics of personal finance and topics relating to insurance and investing. It's simple, straight forward, and efficient in covering all of pertinent areas of money matters for the recent graduate or even a more seasoned doc looking to insure his/her financial future.

All of the covered topics were well done, but I was particularly impressed with sections on insurance and retirement plan options for the dentist (PS this book is great for ANYBODY).

Larry does a fantastic job explaining the importance of proper insurance including life, disability, f, professional liability and the all-important UMBRELLA coverage’s.  He also does a nice review of long term care insurance. A MUST READ for all docs starting out... YES, YES, YES

Even more impressive was the discussion on retirement planning.

The chapter on asset allocation is very basic but well done and will serve the beginning investor as a well -informed starting point to wealth building strategies, which are fundamentally simple but not always so easy.

529 plans are a no brainier for building college funds and Larry again explains the deal with great economy of text.  I like brevity and getting to the point, and at 131 total pages the job has been WELL DONE.

I wish this book was available when I stared out in practice 29 years ago, it really would have made a positive impact on my life.

I think this is single best overview of insurance that I have ever seen.

Excellent book, a quick read (I've read it TWICE), yet packed with good, basic financial information. Well done!