AAII’s Origins & Legacy

Comments on “Birth of an Idea: How AAII Got Started,” by John Bajkowski, Charles Rotblut, CFA, and James B. Cloonan in the November 2017 AAII Journal:

I compliment and thank Jim for providing a unique service that is irreplaceable for individuals who seek to manage their financial resources. His apparent motivation to actually help people without the goal of earning more for himself makes the materials and suggestions trustworthy. All too often advice and suggestions have to be evaluated based on the question of “what’s in it for those giving the advice.”

I began my career in financial services in 1974 with IDS and, after earning my securities license, could sell only mutual funds. I did very little selling (or buying for myself) of mutual funds after learning about all the costs to my clients and the uncertainty of gain after meeting some of those who managed many of the funds. AAII made it possible for me to eventually build my personal stock portfolio with confidence in what I was doing.

I was an early member of AAII and have observed the changes over the years. I am sorry to see Jim retire, and I am grateful to him for what he taught me.
—Ben Auletta from New Jersey

Retirement Success & Passing the AAII Torch

Comments on “Reflections on the Past and Future for the Individual Investor,” by James B. Cloonan, in the November 2017 AAII Journal:

Other AAII subscribers and I owe so much to your efforts that it is impossible to list the economic, intellectual and pleasurable benefits we have experienced over the years. We wish you a busy retirement during which we hope you will continue to feed us your insights and advice. Thank you, James!
—George Sturgis from Mississippi

James, one way we “seasoned” investors can help encourage younger folks to start investing is to give lifetime memberships to our children and grandchildren. I’ve given a membership to one son and, since it has been successful, I plan to give lifetime memberships to my other children and grandchildren as they get older.
—John Landry from Texas

AAII was my first financial adviser. I learned the fundamentals of investing from you. While I have added other sources of investing information over the years, I still rely on the solid practical advice you provide. I am now completing my 25th year of retirement in Maui, Hawaii, without any financial worries. Thank you for enabling me to live the retirement life I had hoped to be able to afford when I was working and saving for retirement.
—William Newport from Hawaii

Thank you for your book “Investing at Level 3.” Amid all the daily noise about investing, your thoughts on real risk and phantom risk are what really matter for long-term investors.
—Bal Gupta from Tennessee