Best of 2010 from Hope to Prosper
January 30, 2011
A lot of exciting things happened in 2010 and the markets recovered a lot of their losses from the recession. I am excited about this year and the awesome prospects it brings. Here is a look back at my favorite posts from 2010.
| Favorite Post | Image |
|---|---|
| Overcome Money ProblemsAt some point in our lives, most of us will experience money problems. For some, these problems may be minor and short-lived. For others, these problems may be severe and last a lifetime. |  |
| Imagine a Life without DebtHave you ever stopped to calculate how much you pay in interest every month? If you are like most American families, it’s probably at least a $1,000 per month and it could be a lot more. |  |
| Memo to Government: Cut SpendingAmerica may be heading toward some very difficult times ahead. And, the primary reason is that our Government, at all levels, has spent us into ruin. |  |
| How Secure is your Future?Between the mayhem in the markets, the economic uncertainty in the world and a number of tragedies I have witnessed lately, I have been thinking a lot about my future. |  |
| A Fool and his Money are Soon PartedI have decided to explain how most Americans are being tricked out of their paychecks. They may work hard their entire lives, earn millions of dollars and wind up with nothing. |  |
| Five Huge Money PitfallsIt’s my chance to impart some nuggets of wisdom onto impressionable graduates. To those who seem genuinely interested, I usually provide a brief run-down of the five most important things to avoid. |  |
| My Visit with a Financial AdviserEvery couple of years, I am approached by someone who has recently become employed in the financial services industry. This is usually a friend or former coworker, who is working through their warm market, looking for candidates to sell financial products. |  |
| Why I Invest in Mutual FundsMutual funds were my first and only investment for about 20 years, before I began to choose my own individual stocks. There are a number of key reasons I invest in mutual funds and I strongly recommend them to other investors. |  |
| The Wisdom of Sir John TempletonIf they were making any money investing, they wouldn’t be hawking their latest books and seminars. They would be living in the Bahamas, quietly amassing a fortune from their portfolio. That describes the life of Sir John Templeton, a true financial guru. |  |
| Raising a family on a Single IncomeLiving on a single income is a choice that dramatically affects a family’s finances. So, I thought I would explain the reasons for our choice and the consequences that came with that decision. |  |
| What I Learned from my Two DadsI was blessed to have two Dads. And they each impacted my life in different ways. Both of my Dads were Engineers and they were both very wise with their finances. |  |
| Trillion Dollar Public Pension ShortfallAn article in the New York Times stated that there is a $1 Trillion dollar public pension shortfall. Despite repeated denials from PERS and public employee unions, public pensions are in big trouble. |  |
The Bottom Line
The bottom line is that 2010 was a great year for me, financially, personally and creatively. I hope 2011 is a happy and prosperous year for you.
“Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”
Oprah Winfrey – American Television Personality
Recommended Reading
DINKs Finance – My New Years Resolution is to Want Less
Christine.biz – End of a Great Year, Start of an Even Better Year
Lazy Man and Money – Best of Lazy Man and Money
Thanks for the mention! 2010 was definitely a year of growth in a positive direction, both financially and personally. And I think the next 2 years are gonna be even better.
Good posts, and I enjoyed discovering your blog in 2010. Good stuff.
It was a year, for me, of personal growth and gaining life experience. Here’s hoping for a great rest of 2011.
I hope that 2011 is a great year for you, too. I love the photos and pretty much every post is a favorite of mine!
You have some great reading in that list. I’m glad 2010 was a good year for you and your family and here’s to an even better 2011!
Great posts all, Bret. If I had to pick a favorite though, I thought your My Two Dads article was absolutely brilliant.
All the best,
Len
Len Penzo dot Com
Thanks Len,
That was my favorite post as well. I also enjoyed creating the Sir John Templeton post and talking to Lauren Templeton. It was a great year and I really enjoyed creating these posts.
Christine, Wise Squirrel, Kevin, Kay Lynn and Len,
I just wanted to say thanks to my fellow finance bloggers for your comments and your friendship. I appreciate having you as colleages and have enjoyed meeting most of you in person.
Here is to a healthy and prosperous 2011.