This year we wrote nearly 40,000 words of advice and shared our knowledge in 51 different columns for our readers in Toledo Free Press. The goal each week has been to help our readers become better educated on how to become financially self-reliant.

Some of our favorite columns shared what was going on in our lives — Mark told about his fantasy baseball camp with The Detroit Tigers. I, Nolan, enjoyed writing about how I, along with other adult volunteers, helped the Cub Scouts in Pack 101 in Waterville put in more than 180 hours to collect 426 bags of groceries for our local food bank.

As we wrap up another year, these are the top 10 quotes from our columns this year that investors should remember as they head into 2012.

• “Cut debt. Cut fees and expenses. Cut taxes. Avoid losing money safely and/or not having an exit plan with risky investments. Grow productivity by increasing the yield using dividends and interest.” (“Put your money to work,” May 20)
• “In 2012, my recommendation will be to come out of the market again because I think that we are going to get a big hit. We just don’t have the time anymore to watch these things go down. I’d rather come out and miss it and go back in it than stay in and watch it go down another 50 or 60 percent like it did before,” Suze Orman. (“Suze Orman Interview: Boomers, seniors need to re-educate themselves about cash,” March 10)
• “Being too nostalgic can be dangerous. If all we do is long for the past we will not be able to enjoy the present. We will not be able to pay attention to things that need to be addressed now like planning for and enjoying retirement.” (“These are the good old days,” March 25)
• “A general rule of thumb is to use a 3 to 6 percent withdrawal rate when it comes to looking at what the personal savings will provide in retirement time.” (“Retirement essentials,” July 1)
• “Here is an idea: leverage. The definition of leverage is to improve or enhance, the power to accomplish something, a strategic advantage or to add as a supplement to what seems insufficient.” (“Use leverage to protect your assets and family,” Sept. 4)
• “A common mistake we see many investors making in our opinion is still having too many eggs in one basket. How do you know if this is happening to you? Well, if you feel your personal savings go up and down just like the overall stock market all the time, it could be a good sign you may not have what we consider a properly diversified plan and could be a victim of the next unknown that knocks down Wall Street.” (“Be prepared for the unknowns,” Sept. 11)
• “The first thing everyone should consider is creating a will.” (“Is probate bad?” Sept. 19)
• “Building an all-weather portfolio means looking at the investments from a whole new standpoint. It means creating a plan that is based upon what the individual is comfortable with and not worrying too much about everyone else.” (“Learn how to build an all-weather portfolio,” Oct. 7)
• “It is the Democrats and Republicans who have both lost touch with reality and the 99 percent. It is the government that is to blame, yet we as individuals need to take personal responsibility for our own actions.” (“Occupy the voting booth, not Wall Street,” Oct. 14)
• “The Retirement Guys Formula for Success is nothing different than the principles that we have been sharing with our clients for years. Sometimes, it is all in how you communicate. Inspiration — are you inspired? If you are not inspired, chances are you will not act. Knowledge — do you have the critical information you need? If not, The Retirement Guys can share with you what we know. Action — get off the couch!” (“Want success? Read this,” Oct. 21)

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at 1 p.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC. NEXT Financial Group, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice.  The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite 100, Maumee, OH 43537. (419) 842-0550.

Tags: Retirement Guys

This entry was posted on Thursday, December 29th, 2011 at 2:19 pm and is filed under Retirement Guys, Toledo Business Link.
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.