FINANCIAL BOOKS make practical holiday gifts. My favorites are: "The Intelligent Investor" by Benjamin Graham, "Nine Steps to Financial Freedom" by Suze Orman, "The Millionaire Next XTC Door" by William Danko (now in paperback), and "The Wealthy Barber" by David Chilton.

NEWER TITLES: "The Small Investor Goes to Market" by Jim Gard, "The Visual Investor" by John J. Murphy, "Using Quicken DeLuxe" by Stephen O'Brien and "Quicken 99 for Dummies" by Stephen Nelson.

Favorite financial magazines: Barron's, Money, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, Forbes, Fortune, Black Enterprise and Working Woman.

COMPUTER GIFT: Get an investing introduction through "The Stock Shop with Peter Lynch," says Computerized Investing newsletter.

"It's an interactive CD-ROM that gives a step-by-step approach on how to research stocks."

TAX TIP: You can take a tax loss and still own a particular stock by "doubling up" now, then in 31 days selling your high-cost shares. Or sell the shares now and buy them back in 31 days.

The IRS requires you to wait at least 31 days in either case.

Want your money to grow? "Invest $50 a month in the finest companies, reinvest dividends and your investment will grow 13 to 15 percent annually -- the rate at which top companies' stocks have appreciated since World War II. You'll be worth $12,500 to $14,000 after 10 years, $55,000 to $70,000 after 20 years and between $198,000 to $300,000 in 30 years." (Staton Financial Institute.)

QUICKIES: "Higher highs ahead. Market is coming off extremely oversold condition and we're on the threshold of two very strong months.

Also, the Fed signaled it's in a very friendly mood." (Todd Market Forecast in Barron's.)

Pub Date: 12/16/98