What is the best way to excel a persons level of chess?

I would like to improve, but I would not like to invest money in a resource that doesn't help you.

Okey dokey! it's very simple.... join a lending library and withdraw some beginner's book on chess. I've checked your profile and reckon anything by Fred Reinfeld would suit. This guarantees success for the fanatic and costs next to nothing.

 I did that too when I was starting.

I recommend playing through as many annotated games as you can, preferably games annotated by grandmasters. Set up a board and work out why most moves are made.

Also study and practice tactics.

  "Yep, I particularly recommend Reinfeld's The Complete Chessplayer."

    do not confuse this Reinfeld book with "The Complete Chess Course"

    "Course" is and exhausting read even for an experienced player.

Learn,understand by heart, and apply what you read and the money becomes worth the spending. .Be positive...always...

Chessmaster: grandmaster edition. Especially if you are still learning the basics. Excelling at the game means first starting with the basics.