E-book (PDF)
€0
free as an e-book (PDF download)
- all 32 chapters, 484 pages
- delivered by email
- readable on phone, tablet and computer
- may be shared freely
Coming soon Learn to invest.
Learn to invest.
Simply explained.
"Depot-IQ" is the beginner’s book for everyone who wants to build wealth on their own – from the money system and inflation to stocks and ETFs, gold, real estate and crypto.
The book is published in German first – the titles shown here are translated from the German edition.
- 178 charts and diagrams – see instead of read
- Worksheets to fill in
- A mini quiz in every chapter
- For advanced readers: boxes to go deeper
- 484 pages as an e-book
- 32 chapters in 7 parts
- 301 verified sources
- 478 pages as a paperback
The problem Your pension won’t be enough.
Your pension won’t be enough.
And your money is losing value.
Fewer and fewer people pay for more and more pensioners – and on your bank account, inflation quietly eats away your purchasing power.
Purchasing power of your €10,000
after 0 years
€10,000Coloured: what your money is still worth. Grey: what inflation has quietly eaten away.
Example calculation: 2% inflation per year, no interest. Not a forecast.
- 1.8Contributors per old-age pension in Germany around 2020 In the early 1960s it was about 6.today 1.8 · 1960s about 6
- 48%Pension level a pre-tax reference value, not your share of your last salary.48 of 100
- −45%Purchasing power of €10,000 in a bank account after 30 years at 2% inflation example calculation€10,000 → €5,521
Guessing, hoping, postponing.
- Savings account at 0.5%
- What is an ETF?
- A tip from a colleague
- Isn’t the stock market just gambling?
- "Later, when there’s more left over"
- How much will I need when I retire?
- A crypto video on social media
Understand, plan, get started.
- Know your pension gap
- Emergency fund and insurance
- Your own investment strategy
- First savings plan running
60 seconds · 5 questions How high is your
How high is your
Depot-IQ?
Five short questions on money, inflation and the stock market. After each answer you see where the book explains it.
Question 1 of 5
You have €10,000 in your bank account and inflation is 2% a year. What will it still buy in 30 years?
Your Depot-IQ70
Just a knowledge game – not investment advice. Nothing is stored.
How the book is structured In 7 parts
In 7 parts
from savings account to your own portfolio.
Step by step, from simple to more in-depth. Each part builds on the previous one.
Plus an A-to-Z glossary – and quizzes and worksheets in every chapter. Read it free now
Show all 32 chapters
The book is published in German first – the titles shown here are translated from the German edition.
Why you should take care of it yourself
- 01The pension is no longer enough
- 02Financial intelligence – the foundation
- 03Building wealth – even with little money
How money works
- 04Our money system: where money comes from
- 05Inflation, deflation and interest rates
- 06The power of time: why you should start early
- 07Economic and stock market cycles
The basics of investing
- 08How the stock exchange works
- 09Stocks: becoming a co-owner
- 10Bonds, savings accounts and fixed-term deposits
- 11Funds and ETFs: the easiest way in
- 12Risk and diversification
Your own portfolio
- 13Broker and portfolio: how to get started
- 14The costs nobody sees
- 15Your investment strategy
- 16Understanding and valuing stocks: P/E ratio, fair value, quality
- 17Reading stock charts: trends, 50-day and 200-day lines
- 18Dividends and passive income
- 19Sustainable investing
Other asset classes
- 20Precious metals and commodities
- 21Real estate
- 22Cryptocurrencies
- 23Derivatives, leverage and certificates: what you need to know
Retirement planning and life
- 24Subsidised retirement plans in Germany, Austria and Switzerland
- 25Money in family and partnership
- 26Financial freedom and the withdrawal phase
Mindset and Practice
- 27It’s all in your head: the psychology of investing
- 28Spotting financial fraud and traps
- 29The 15 most common beginner mistakes
- 30Taxes in a nutshell: Germany, Austria, Switzerland
- 31Your roadmap in 10 steps
- 32Glossary from A to Z
Appendix
- A1About the author
- A2Sources
Look inside See instead of read:
See instead of read:
178 charts and diagrams.
Every important number as a bar, curve or chart – so you see the relationship before you read.
Keep reading in the free e-book
Notify mePage 1 of 10
- Pension gap, net worth statement, investment plan – fill them in right away.
- From the tulip bubble to the first Bitcoin pizza.
- Check in two minutes what you’ve remembered.
- For Lisa, Tom, Sabine – and the children’s portfolios of Florina, Clara and Gabriel.
What makes this book different Easy to understand.
Easy to understand.
Never condescending.
-
Simply explained
Every technical term is explained. No prior knowledge needed – and still depth for advanced readers.
-
For Germany, Austria and Switzerland
Pensions, retirement planning, taxes and deposit protection for all three countries.
-
Evidence-based and up to date
301 sources from statistics offices, central banks and studies. As of October 2026.
-
Real example portfolios
Calculated for different stages of life – as orientation, not as a recommendation.
-
No sales pressure
No product advertising, no buy recommendations, no promises of returns.
-
Fun to read
True stories, "Did you know?" boxes and short sections for ten minutes in between.
Try it yourself Starting early
Starting early
pays off.
Set how much you save each month and for how long – and watch compound interest grow along with it.
- Final value
- €100,452
- paid in
- €36,000
- Compound interest
- €64,452
- paid in
- Compound interest
Assumption: 6% per year, compounded monthly. Example calculation, not a forecast, not investment advice.
Who it’s for Who is
Who is
Depot-IQ for?
Just right if you …
- are just starting out or only have a savings account so far
- want to understand what you’re doing – instead of blindly following tips
- already invest and want to organise your knowledge
- want to provide for your children
Not right for you if you …
- want to get rich quick
- are looking for hot stock tips
- want to trade every day
More than a book Read. Apply.
Book knowledge
App overview
Academy videos
financial intelligence
Read. Apply.
Keep going.
The book is your entry into the depiq ecosystem. At the end of every chapter I show you how to put what you’ve learned into practice right away.
In the paperback: 25% reader discount on depiq PRO and MAX.
How to get the book Free as a digital edition.
Free as a digital edition.
In print on Amazon.
Paperback
€39.99
printed in full colour · 478 pages · 17 × 24 cm
Reader bonus: 25% off PRO and MAX
for 12 months – even after the promotion ends
- 178 colour charts
- Worksheets to fill in
- A great gift
Jürgen Puhm
Founder of depiq · Stuttgart
- Entrepreneur
- Investor
- IT expert
The author
Jürgen Puhm
I have been investing for more than 25 years. And again and again I see the same thing: most people never learned how investing works or how to build wealth step by step. School doesn't prepare us for it. I often hear: "The state pension is safe, I don't need to save on my own." I see it differently. You are responsible for your financial future, not the state. That's why I built depiq and wrote this book: so you understand how money works and make your own decisions.
- Investor for 25+ years
- Founder of depiq
- Author of "Depot-IQ"
“That's why I built depiq and wrote this book: so you understand how money works and make your own decisions.”
FAQ
Any questions? Here are the answers.
Is the e-book really free?
Yes. You only enter your email address and get the download link. After that I’ll occasionally send you tips on building wealth – you can unsubscribe anytime with one click.
Do I need any prior knowledge?
No. The book starts right at the beginning. If you already know more, you’ll find boxes for advanced readers in every chapter.
Does the book also apply to Austria and Switzerland?
Yes. Pensions, retirement planning, taxes and deposit protection are explained for all three countries.
Will I get buy recommendations?
No. The book is not investment advice. It explains how everything works so you can make good decisions yourself.
How up to date are the figures?
As of October 2026. All facts are backed by 301 sources, listed in the appendix.
What’s the difference between the e-book and the paperback?
The content is the same. The paperback is printed in colour, you can write in it and give it as a gift.
What does the book have to do with depiq?
depiq is my app for keeping track of all your wealth. At the end of every chapter I briefly show how to apply what you’ve learned with depiq – free to use. With the paperback you get 25% off PRO and MAX.
What happens to my email address?
It’s only used to send you the book and my tips, and it’s never passed on. Details are in the privacy policy.
The best time to start
is today.
Get the book for free and take the first step in 30 minutes.
Not investment advice. All examples are example calculations. Investments can lose value.