as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
system
totally new to finance, economy, where should i start?
user
i'm going to be a bit off topic and recommend 'the only investment book you'll ever need' by andrew tobias. it doesn't start with describe the workings of the stock market. instead, it starts with making sure you have a budget and have your basic finances in order before going into the stock market. this may not sound like what you are looking for, but it really is a valuable book to read, even if you think you are all set up in that department.
assistant