Everybody needs money. That's why they call it money.

From full global headquarters, this is Motley Fool Money.

Welcome to Motley Fool Money. Thanks for being here.

I'm your host, Chris Hill, and joining me in studio this week for

Million Dollar Portfolio Ron Gross from Income Investor,

James Early, and from Motley Fool Hidden Gems, Charlie Travers.

Guys, happy Independence Day weekend.

Same here, Chris.

It is our mid-year review special.

We'll be looking at the big investing stories of 2011

and make some reckless predictions for the second half of the year.

Retirement expert Robert Brokamp will stop by with some tips to help you

declare your financial independence.

Plus, as always, we'll give you an inside look at the stocks on our radar.

But, guys, when you look back at the first half of 2011,

let's just start with the big story for you as an investor.

Ron Gross, I turn to you first. What's the big story for the first half of 2011?

For me, the big news was the unrest in North Africa and the Middle East.

Significant loss of life. We had regime change.

For me to say, we had military involvement and the economic and business impact

was the havoc it wreaked with oil prices, which we're still dealing with,

even now and for the rest of the year.

...