(I’ve been called for Jury Duty for the first two weeks of January, so my posts during these weeks will be recaps of 2011)

It was an incredible year to be a fee-only financial planner in New Orleans.  I’ve learned a lot, especially the challenge of writing a regular blog!  I try to make my posts useful, interesting, and readable and a lot more work goes into that than I previously realized.  Thanks for reading.  I’ll keep working to make this place better in the years to come!

Below are the 10 most viewed posts on the Upperline Financial Planning Blog in 2011 (word cloud from Wordle.net)

1. My 6 Favorite Business iPad Apps (I had no idea this post would be so popular.  I guess there are a lot of people searching for good iPad apps!)
2. Financial Rules of Thumb – A Planner’s Perspective (I really struggle with rules of thumb and financial planning, and created this series to expand my thoughts on some of these ideas.  I’m glad they’ve been so well received!)
3. Buying vs Renting a Home? – Financial Rules of Thumb Series (I often feel like people who are renting feel like they’re ‘throwing their money away’ when there are a lot of times that renting makes more sense than owning.  Here’s my case for that)
4. Creating a Digital Trust Fund for your Child (Just a quick, cheap way to do something for your kids and reserve some digital space for them later in life)
5. 6 Books for College Grads (I love to read, and I’ve also been fortunate to teach at Loyola University in New Orleans recently so I hope I know what is going on with college students these days.  These are 6 books that I’d give to any new grad.)
6. 6 Tips for Refinancing Your Home – Financial Rules of Thumb Series (It’s a great time to refinance, and here are a few things to consider and help you determine if it’s a good idea for you or not.)
7. This Time, Is It Different? (When things get scary in the markets, it always feels like things have changed and will never be same again.  This post examines whether that’s true or not)
8. Is Saving 10% Enough? – Financial Rules of Thumb Series  (I always hear people talking about saving 10% as the magic number for retirement.  That number may work for some, but not for many.)
9. Our Mistakes are Burned Up (We’ve all made mistakes along the way.  This is based on a quote from Thomas Edison after his factory was destroyed in a fire. Can we start fresh, from where we are now?)
10. Big News for Upperline Financial Planning! (This was really big news, to be included in the Medical Economics Magazine list of Top Financial Advisers for Doctors)

Thanks everybody for reading, commenting, sharing, and being a part of this community!

October was an incredible month for me and Upperline.  I was honored to be included as part of the inaugural New Orleans CityBusiness Class of Top Financial Professionals.

Below are the 10 most viewed posts on the Upperline Financial Planning blog in October.

Wordle.net – word cloud of top posts in October

1. Earn More by Making the Most of your Benefits at Work
2. My 6 Favorite Business iPad Apps
3. Baby Steps Aren’t Just for Babies
4. Refinancing – the Silver Lining of the Uncertain Markets
5. New Orleans – #1 City for Young Entrepreneurs
6. 6 Tips for Refinancing Your Home – Financial Rules of Thumb Series
7. Is Your Identity Safe? National Protect Your Identity Week
8. 7 Financial Tips for Newlyweds
9. Financial Rules of Thumb – A Planner’s Perspective
10. A Difference Between an Employee and an Entrepreneur

Below are the 10 most viewed pages and posts on the Upperline Financial Planning website in July.

Wordle.net – Word Cloud of all of the words written on my site in July 2011

1. Buying vs Renting a Home – Financial Rules of Thumb Series
2. Upperline Financial Planning – Press (It was a big news month for us!)
3. Is Saving 10% Enough? – Financial Rules of Thumb Series
4. Should You Always Take the Match on your 401k? – Financial Rules of Thumb Series
5. Can the Eiffel Tower Help You Make Better Financial Decisions?
6. Financial Rules of Thumb – Series Page
7. Emergency Fund – Is 3 Months of Expenses the Right Amount? – Financial Rules of Thumb Series
8. Your Summer Vacation Budget – 6 Tips to Make the Most of it
9. My 6 Favorite Business iPad Apps
10. 6 Tips for Refinancing Your Home – Financial Rules of Thumb Series