Consumers need to be in the driver’s seat. Stay informed. Use only products and strategies that are consumer-friendly. Use the following rules to stay on track.

1. You need to know your total annual investment costs. Lower cost is always best.
2. Make sure you use objective independent information, not just a sales pitch for a firm’s products.
3. Avoid an advisory firm’s proprietary or internally managed products; they are expensive and create a conflict of interest for your advisor.
4. You are entitled to ongoing and complete return calculations compared to a relevant benchmark.
5. Always use strategies and products that promote fair returns, such as indexing.
6. Always ask for the lowest cost. Almost all investment costs are negotiable.
7. Trading, market timing, high cost, excessive risk, and leverage all have a negative impact on long term returns and capital preservation.
8. You should index all or part of your portfolio using the low cost ETFs or mutual funds listed on the Co-op website.
9. Members should be asked to consider only mutual funds rated A or A+ for the past 10 years by the Globe Hysales Mutual Fund Database.
10. Advisory firms are required by regulation to put your interests first. Make sure they do!