The 7% Solution: You CAN Afford a Comfortable Retirement

Author: John H. Graves
Website: http://www.johngravessolution.com
Reviewed By: Anne Holmes for the NABBW

This book is written for retirees (or those who soon will be) and is designed to provide the reader with a proven, step-by-step program for an affordable and comfortable retirement. Given that so many Baby Boomers find their finances in disarray, it\’s an important read.

Author Graves is not just writing theory here, he walks his talk: He\’s earned both ChFC (Chartered Financial Consultant) and CLU (Chartered Life Underwriter) certifications and this book\’s advice is rooted in his 26 years of experience advising others how to become better stewards of their resources.

As an independent financial advisor, Graves has always focused his practice on designing and maintaining clients\’ portfolios in a manner consistent with their needs, rather than simply parroting any particular and/or currently some popular market paradigm.

Read this book and you will discover Graves\’ advice on how to:

• Take control of your financial future
• Save thousands in fees that would otherwise bleed your retirement nest egg unnecessarily
• Catch up to where you need to be to retire well
• Achieve a financially secure retirement

If you, like me, find that your retirement planning somewhat challenged by your lack of financial expertise, you will appreciate that Graves doesn\’t just talk theory. He actually:

• Provides worksheets
• Suggests additional readings and resources
• Utilizes a reader-friendly book format
• Presents the content in a logical progression
• Offers investment guidelines
• Includes chapter-ending assignments and exercises that are full of pointed questions designed to assist you in discovering your own personal retirement and investment goals

Reading this book will help you formulate individualized action steps should you choose to involve yourself in purchasing stocks, bonds, annuities, real estate – or even get involved in a business buy-out. You\’ll find the book\’s 14 chapters packed with guidelines, tips, authoritative principles, tax planning, and practical suggestions for selecting, maintaining, and monitoring your portfolio.

Graves\’ avocation is adventure. As a result, he has traveled extensively, visiting over 80 countries.He has sailed to Hawaii several times as well as across the Atlantic and throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. He has trekked the Andes, the Sahara, the Serengeti, and the Namib, as well as the Taklamakan desert in northwest China.

A believer in the value of the simple lessons we Boomers were taught by our parents — save something from what you earn; be frugal in your spending; avoid debt if possible; tithe; if you find value, pay it forward — author Graves is donating 50% of profits from the sale of The 7% Solution to three charities: the Adaptive Sports Foundation, the Ojai Foundation and Tostan.

Anne Holmes NABBW’s “Boomer in Chief”

As "Boomer in Chief" of the National Association of Baby Boomer Women, Anne is passionate about educating, empowering and enriching the lives of Baby Boomer Women, as we now begin to age beyond our middle years and enthusiastically launch ourselves into life’s next stage – which most people call old age. We Boomers know aging doesn’t have to diminish us. We still have a lot to offer the world, and we continue to be ready and willing to enthusiastically participate.

Actively involved with a number of Boomer-focused organizations and committees, Anne keeps a steady finger on the pulse of this still-spirited generation, with the goal of helping us all to enjoy life, stay healthy and continue to live lives that are rich in every sense of the word. Beyond that, Anne is dedicated to helping facilitate the positive interaction between Baby Boomers and the hard-working younger generations who are readying themselves to “take the world’s reins” and continue our efforts to move society in a positive direction.