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Smart Money News and Facts

Seven Questions to Ask Before InvestingGregory Ricks

We have all heard of the seven deadly sins, things that you should never do or you risk the harshest of punishments. But many people don’t know about the seven deadly questions, involving your investments. There are seven questions that one must answer before dropping a dime on investments, otherwise their money could be lost in the fiery pits of… well you know where. Making investment decisions isn’t easy, especially if you are just entering the game. There are a lot of details that many people don’t think about until it’s too late. So, if you want to avoid the eternal pain of poor investment plans, ask yourself these seven questions. 1. “Why?” It’s a simple question, but it’s often the hardest one to answer. Why

are you investing, and what do you hope to gain from it? In other words, you must set specific goals. Maybe you want to save for retirement, maybe you want to send your kids to college, or maybe you just want some breathing room from everyday expenses. Whatever the reason, it’s important that you define why you are investing your money and what goals you wish to accomplish in doing so.

2. “What is my time frame?” When can you expect to earn your money back? This all depends on what kind of investments you make. Most of the forms of investments which you can cash out of at any time, such as stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, often leave you with the risk of not getting back all that you paid in. Many other investment options will limit or restrict the opportunities that you have to sell your holdings. Make sure you are aware of these before you enter the game.

3. “What am I going to get out of it?” What can you realistically expect to earn on your investments? Having an unrealistic idea of playing the stock market and striking it rich could leave you simply striking out. Most earnings, as millions of people encountered in the past few years, are dependent upon the market, and can rise or drop based on market changes. Other investments, such as bonds, have fixed returns that aren’t as susceptible to market changes. Another option that you might want to consider in the mix is Fixed Annuities that have that ability to protect your principle and provide some certainty on return.

4. “What kind of earnings will you make?” Very few times when investing does a wad of cash appear in your mailbox if you’re successful. Many times your success is paid to you in things like potential for earnings growth, as in real estate purchases. Other times it can come through interest or dividends. Knowing the details of your payback can help you make better decisions when you are paying in.

Continued on Page 4…

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Page 1©2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

As Featured In: As seen on Affiliates of:

CELEBRITY QUOTES:

One person’s craziness is another person’s reality. -Tim Burton

You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take. - Wayne Gretzky

Always have a vivid imagination, for you never know when you might need it. - J.K. Rowling

Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like. - Will Smith

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GREGORY RICKS AND ASSOCIATES IS A REGISTERED INVESTMENT ADVISER. INFORMATION PRESENTED IS FOR EDUCATONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT INTEND TO MAKE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION FOR

THE SALE OR PURCHASE OF ANY SPECIFIC SECURITIES, INVESTMENTS, OR INVESTMENT STRATEGIES. INVESTMENTS INVOLVE RISK AND UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, ARE NOT GUARANTEED. BE SURE TO

FIRST CONSULT WITH A QUALIFIED FINANCIAL ADVISER AND/OR TAX PROFESSIONAL BEFORE IMPLEMENTING ANY STRATEGY DISCUSSED HERIN.

Page 2© 2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

Stay updated with our BLOG:www.gregoryricks.wordpress.com

Recommend us on LINKEDIN:http://www.linkedin.com/in/gregoryricks

Sophie, our staff accountant, is marrying

her fiancé Ken onFebruary 1!

Congrats Sophie!

HEY GRANDPARENTS!!!Are you a new grandparent or

soon-to-be Grandparent? Let us know! Also, don’t forget to send

us pictures E-mail us at

Ashley@gregoryricks.com and let us know about it if you

haven’t already.

Last month, Gregory spoke to over 300 of the nation’s top advisors at a conference in Dallas along with Tony Robbins and Darren Hardy.

WE WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE THE NEW MEMBERS OF OUR NEW WEALTH MANAGEMENT TEAM!

Our Wealth Management Team!

Page 3© 2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

GETTING READY FOR TAX SEASON!!

We will have a CPA and member of our Wealth

Management Team, Courtland Crouchet, in our office for any

and all tax services needed.

Dwell NOLA Realty specializes in residential and commercial real estate. We understand that property transactions represent major events in most people’s lives as well as the importance of finding just the right home, in the right neighborhood or finding the perfect high-profile location for your business. At Dwell NOLA Realty we strive to stay abreast of the latest technological advances in advertising and real estate trends. We offer specialized attention for you personally, customizing each transaction to fit your needs. We are full time agents available 7 days a week including most holidays. Ensuring that your information stays confidential is one of our top priorities.

Traci Bird Kestler is a lifelong resident of New Orleans, a graduate of UNO and Dwell NOLA Realty’sbroker. Before her career in real estate she was a retail manager in New Orleans for many years. Her strong ties to the community, intimate knowledge of the metropolitan area and her experience with commerce in the city, give her a special edge that translates into a great advantage for you. Traci was awarded the NewOrleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Sales Recognition in 2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011.

Stephanie Campani is a licensed Realtor and co-owner of Dwell NOLA Realty. Originally from Arizona, she relocated to New Orleans and quickly fell in love with the city. Being a transplant has added to Stephanie’s knowledgeable of the relocation process and the challenges it can present. She obtained her Historic Homes designation to better assist buyers and sellers in understanding and meeting the regulations associated with purchasing historic properties. She is also a certified short sale and foreclosure specialist making her well qualified to help homeowners affected by the collapse of the housing market work with their lender to facilitate sales, and equally well suited to help buyers find the best possible deals. Stephanie was awarded the New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors Sales Recognition in 2010 and 2011.

Please call our office at (504) 832-9200 to schedule an appointment to meet with any of our team members!

Do you have a Will?

Does your present Will need updating?

Do you have proper Powers of Attorney?

Would you like to really protect your assets and your home?

If so, call our office to set an appointment with William Perry, Estate Planning Attorney and a member of our

Wealth Management Team.

Left, Stephanie Campani and Right, Traci Bird Kestler

More Information You Should Know!

Page 4© 2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

NUMBER$ OF $IGNIFICANCEEVERY DAY - The total debt of the USA on 1/20/09 (President Obama’s inauguration date) was $10.627 trillion. The total debt of the USA on 1/17/13 (3 days before his 2nd inauguration on 1/20/13) was $16.433 trillion. The increase of $5.806 trillion is an average daily deficit of $4 billion (source: Treasury Department).

OUT-TO-IN - The top-performing individual stock in the S&P 500 in 2012 (based upon a +188% gain for the year) was ranked # 371 (out of 500 stocks) in 2011 while losing 16%. The 2nd-best performing individual stock in the S&P 500 in 2012 (based upon a +142% gain for the year) was ranked # 469 (out of 500 stocks) in 2011 while losing 45%. The 3rd-best performing individual stock in the S&P 500 in 2012 (based upon a +114% gain for the year) was ranked # 473 (out of 500 stocks) in 2011 while losing 47% (source: BTN Research).

OIL PRICES - The price of oil ended 2011 at $98.83 a barrel, rose to a 2012 closing high of $109.77 a barrel on 2/24/12, and ultimately finished 2012 at $91.82 a barrel. That’s a 7% decrease during the year for the price of oil (source: CME Group).

WHY? - Health care spending per person in the USA is +85% greater than that of Canadians and +90% more than that of Germans (source: Government Accountability Office).

GOLF - Russell Henley, PGA rookie golfer from Georgia, won in his debut on the tour, winning $1,008,000 on 1/13/13. It took Arnold Palmer 13 years to earn $1 million in his career, the first golfer to do so (source: PGA).

Continued from Page 1… 5. “What’s my risk?” And here comes the basic balance in investing, risk versus reward. The higher the risk, the higher

the potential reward and possible loss as well. Overall there is no guarantee that you will get your money back or receive the earnings promised to you. Make sure that the risk you take is worth the reward that you expect to achieve.

6. “Is my money diversified?” We can all remember our mothers as some point or another saying, “Now, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” Well your mother’s wise words ring true in terms of investments as well. Certain types of investments do better in certain situations, so by diversifying your investments, you are spreading your eggs across many baskets. That way if a certain industry tanks or sector is struggling, you will have plenty of other baskets holding your money safe and sound. You also should consider being diversified in financial tools that provide principal protection as well.

7. “What is the effect of taxes on my investments?” It may seem like the nightmare of early April trying to sort out your taxes each year, but taxes are just as critical in making investment decisions. What you pay into certain investments, such as a Roth IRA, is not tax deductible, but there is no tax on the earnings. Other options, such as Traditional IRAs, work in the opposite way, in that your contributions are not taxed, but your earnings are. Certain bonds are exempt from state and local taxes, such as U.S. Savings Bonds, while others, such as municipal bonds are exempt from federal income taxes and most state income taxes as well. Fixed Annuities grow tax deferred and there are rules such as the 1035 exchange rule that allows the tax deferred growth to transfer to other like investments. Are you sure that you are using your investment’s ability to avoid taxes in the most efficient ways possible.

Now that you know the questions, it’s up to you to determine the answers. The important thing to remember is that the best answer to each one is whatever works best for you and your goals. Take the time to think through your decisions and all the alternatives. There is no standard pathway to success on the road of investments, but if you take the time to ask yourself these seven questions, it will be a much smoother ride.

Jokes, Quotes, and Quips for Grandparents

• Every Saturday morning, Grandpa Walt got to babysit his three grandsons. The boys always wanted to play “war,” and Grandpa somehow always got coaxed into the game. His daughter came to pick up the kids early one Saturday and witnessed Grandpa take a fake shot as one boy pointed a toy gun and yelled, “Bang!” Grandpa slumped to the floor and stayed there motionless. The daughter rushed over to see if he was alright. Grandpa opened one eye and whispered, “Sh-h-h, I always do this. It’s the only chance I get to rest.”

• “By the time a mane realizes that his father was right, he has a son who thinks he’s wrong.” - Charles Wadsworth

• A mother was teaching her young boy how to show respect to his elders. “You would say, ‘yes, sir’ to a man, and ‘yes, ma’am’ to a lady,” mom said. To quiz him on his lesson, she then asked, “What would you say to Daddy?” “Yes, sir!” was the reply. “Very good. Then what would you say to me?” “Yes ma’am!” he proudly answered. “Good boy! Now what would you say to Grandma?” He lit up and said, “Can I have a cookie?”

THE SUPERBOWL IS FEBRUARY 3, 2013 AT THE

NEW ORLEANS SUPERDOME!

MARDI GRAS DAY IS FEBRUARY 12, 2013.

Our office will be closed Monday Feb. 11 and Tuesday

Feb. 12.

VALNTINES DAY IS FEBRUARY 14, 2013.

February in New Orleans!

Page 5© 2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

DATE PARADE INFO PLACE TIMEFriday, Feb. 1 Krewe of Excalibur Metairie 7:00pmFriday, Feb. 1 Krewe of Eve Mandeville 7:00pmFriday, Feb. 1 Krewe of Atlas Metairie 7:30pmSaturday, Feb. 2 Krewe of Alla West Bank NoonSaturday, Feb. 2 Knights of Nemesis Chalmette 1:00pmSaturday, Feb. 2 Krewe of Olympia Covington 6:00pmSaturday, Feb. 2 Krewe of Caesar Metairie 6:00pm

Wednesday, Feb. 6 Krewe of Ancient Druids Uptown 6:30pm

Wednesday, Feb. 6 Krewe of Nyx Uptown 7:00pmThursday, Feb. 7 Knights of Babylon Uptown 5:45pmThursday, Feb. 7 Krewe of Muses Uptown 6:30pmThursday, Feb. 7 Knights of Chaos Uptown 6:30pmFriday, Feb. 8 Krewe of Hermes Uptown 6:00pmFriday, Feb. 8 Krewe d'Etat Uptown 6:30pmFriday, Feb. 8 Krewe of Selene Slidell 6:30pmFriday, Feb. 8 Krewe of Morpheus Uptown 7:00pmFriday, Feb. 8 Krewe of Centurions Metairie 7:00pmSaturday, Feb. 9 Krewe of NOMTOC Westbank 10:45amSaturday, Feb. 9 Krewe of Iris Uptown 11:00amSaturday, Feb. 9 Krewe of Tucks Uptown NoonSaturday, Feb. 9 Krewe of Endymion Mid-City 4:15pmSaturday, Feb. 9 Krewe of Isis Metairie 6:30pmSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Okeanos Uptown 11:00amSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Mid-City Uptown 11:45amSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Thoth Uptown NoonSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Tchefuncte Madisonville 2:00pmSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Bacchus Uptown 5:15pmSunday, Feb. 10 Krewe of Napoleon Metairie 5:30pmMonday, Feb. 11 Krewe of Proteus Uptown 5:15pmMonday, Feb. 11 Krewe of Orpheus Uptown 6:00pmMonday, Feb. 11 Krewe of Hera Metairie 6:30pmMonday, Feb. 11 Krewe of Zeus Metairie 7:00pmTuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Zulu Uptown 8:00amTuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Rex Uptown 10:00amTuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Elks Orleans Uptown Follows Rex

Tuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Crescent City Uptown Follows Elks Orleans

Tuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Argus Metairie 10:00amTuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Lyra Covington Before noonTuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Elks Jefferson Metairie Follows Argus

Tuesday, Feb. 12 Krewe of Jefferson Metairie Follows Elks Jefferson

Stuffed Artichoke Casserole

Chef Holly Clegg www.hollyclegg.com

No fuss with stuffing this artichoke! Mix all ingredients in one skillet, close your eyes and you

will think you are eating a stuffed artichoke. Outstanding and so simple!

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large onion, chopped 1 teaspoon minced garlic2 ½ cups seasoned stuffing mix 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves1 teaspoon dried basil leaves1 cup fat-free chicken broth 1 (14-ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and

coarsely chopped¼-1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese

1. In large nonstick skillet, heat oil and sauté onion and garlic until tender. Add stuffing, oregano and basil, mixing until combined. Add chicken broth and artichokes, carefully mixing.

2. Add cheese, stirring until heated and well mixed.

Makes 4 (1 cup) servings Nutritional Info Per Serving: Calories 216, Calories from Fat 39%, Fat 10g, Saturated Fat 3g, Cholesterol 6mg, Sodium 759mg, Carbohydrates 26g, Dietary Fiber 3g, Total Sugars 5g, Protein 7g

Terrific Tip: Prepare ahead of time and transfer to a baking dish. Heat in 350°F oven 20 minutes or until heated. For vegetarian version, substitute vegetable broth.

If you have a special recipe that you love to cook or have a family recipe that has been passed down

from generation to generation, PLEASE send it to our office so we can be sure to share it! You might

even see it in our next newsletter! Ashley@gregoryricks.com

Have a Great Recipe???

Page 6© 2012 Gregory Ricks & Associates, 2800 Veterans Memorial Blvd, Suite 170, Metairie, LA 70002 • 504-832-9200

All About Food…Cut Calories, Not Flavor

By Chef Rocco DiSpiritoGreat ways to reduce the calorie count in a wide range of Italian meals …

Use nonfat Greek yogurt in place of cream and sour cream. Cream has about 800 calories per cup and sour cream 500 – but nonfat Greek yogurt has just 90. Yet Greek yogurt is so creamy that it doesn’t taste low fat.

Use my recipe for low-cal olive oil substitute. Olive oil has 120 calories per tablespoon. To make a delicious olive oil substitute that has just 28 calories per tablespoon, put one cup water and five and one-quarter tablespoons olive juice from a jar of garlic-stuffed green onions – Mezzetta Garlic Stuffed Olives are a good choice (www.Mezzetta.com) – into a blender, and blend at the lowest setting. Sprinkle in one-eighth teaspoon of xanthan gum, and continue to blend until the mixture thickens, which should take about a minute. Increase blender speed to medium, and pour in two-and-a-half tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a steady stream. Increase blender speed to high, and pour in an additional two-and-a-half tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Continue blending until the mixture is homogenous, which should take perhaps 30 seconds. Refrigerate in a jar until needed. Warning: This “Super Olive Oil” is only for seasoning finishing and salad dressings, not for sautéing or frying – heat makes it separate.

Use balsamic vinegar as a flavor enhancer. Its sweet-tart flavor adds a wonderful zip to salad dressings, marinades, pastas and meats with almost no fat, calories or sodium. Helpful: Look for DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), an Italian quality-assurance certification. Others might be sweetened with grape must, a sugar.

Use whole-wheat panko bread crumbs in place of conventional bread crumbs. Panko, an airy, crust-less bred invented by the Japanese, makes lighter, crispier bread crumbs than other breads and does not absorb oil as readily. Helpful: Panko bread crumbs are particularly effective for faux frying.Coat chicken, fish or onion rings in these crumbs, lightly coat with cooking spray, then bake at high heat.