One of the UK’s leading private investors, Richmond’s Lord Lee, says it is never too
early to start dipping your toes into the stock market. His new book, Yummi Yoghurt,
tells the story of the Barons, a fictional family who make the decision take their
private yoghurt-making business, public. RiverTribe Editor Linda Duberley explains
why it is a vital tool for teenagers.
As the Autumn Term gets underway across the borough’s secondary school
students will be limbering up for the ordeal by biro that will inevitably lead to the
challenge of exams vital to gaining access to universities, colleges and –
increasingly – apprenticeships.
So I want to flag up a book which is unlikely to be on your teenager’s reading list
although this is exactly where it should be.
Lord Lee, whose business and political career has fascinated me for some time has
written a book which I think every youngster who wants to understand money –
never mind how to make it – should read.
Very often youngsters excel at a diverse range of subjects from history to modern
languages, geography to media studies, but they rarely develop an appetite for
money-making. There is a kind of disassociation or perhaps a lack of confidence that
pushes this particular subject to the edge of their radars.
Yummi Yoghurt – A First Taste of Stock Market Investment – does much to demystify
the stock market and explain the terminology surrounding it. It tells the story of the
Baron family, who own a modest farm in Devon. Mum Tessa starts a company with
the aim of utilising her culinary skills in order to diversify and supplement the family
income. What starts as a small home-based business grows into a serious
commercial venture which is then floated – or listed on the Stock Exchange.
It is a short book but explains everything you need to know about turnover, costs,
how profits are generated and how to read a balance sheet. It outlines the method
used to value its shares and sign-posts the preparation needed for an Initial Price
Offering (IPO) in terms of legal and media back-up.
“I kept it short because I knew if I wrote something too long no teenager would pick it
up. The world of investment is a fascinating one and I don’t think you can be too
young to start understanding how to make money in this way,” said Lord Lee, who
bought his first shares when he was fifteen.
“It is intended to whet the appetite. Encouraging young people to save and invest
has to be in everyone’s interests.”
Claer Barrett, Personal Finance Editor of the Financial Times, says it provides, “bite-
sized lessons in the art of stock-picking from one of the UK’s best-known Small Cap
investors,”
This is a book which can change lives.
Competition
To win one of 5 copies of 'Yummi Yoghurt' just answer this simple question:
What is the name of the publicly listed company that has the same name twice?
Email your name and answer to:
win@rivertribe.co.uk
Random draw closing date: 11th October 2019
