Who is Your Financial Planner?

Financial Planners are for Everyone

“Failing to plan is planning to fail.” – John Wooden”

It was recently brought to my attention that many people think that only “rich” people have financial adviser’s.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. If your family income is over $100,000/year or you are retired with investments of $200,000 or more you are missing out if you do not have a trusted adviser to make sure you on a good track to reach your financial goals.

If you haven’t hired someone, by default, you have named yourself as your financial planner.   If you have the time, talent and temperament to manage and coordinate your goal planning, investments, insurance, budgeting, estate planning, etc. then you are truly special.  If you are not sure how you are doing, may I suggest you get a second opinion before it’s too late.

If you decide to venture out and work with a professional you should know that financial planners with the Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) designation owe clients a “fiduciary” duty.  This means that CFP® certificant’s owe at all times to clients: “to place the interest of the client ahead of his or her own.”  This is much different from brokers, bankers or insurance agents that do not have this fiduciary duty.

Some of the questions a good planner will help you answer:

1. Will I ever have enough money to retire?  What do I need to do to get on track?

2. How should I have my money invested given all the changes that are happening in my life and around me?

3. How much and where should I save my money for college or retirement?

4. How could I invest money to minimize taxes? 

There are good CFP®’s in this area to choose from.  It’s a competitive field and our firm’s value proposition has evolved over the years to reflect the growing need to balance life and financial issues as the core of our planning.  We offer comprehensive planning that covers all financial planning areas on an unlimited annual retainer $2,500 basis.  We waive this fee if we manage $250,000+ of your investment assets.  Our investment management fee starts at one percent for accounts under one million dollars.  Click for more information: Fortune Financial Group Website

Financial planning is often put off until an event drives the need to do something.  As my children get closer to college age I hear more people talking about how expensive college has become.  I wonder why they didn’t plan for college when their kids were young.   Down the road, the issue for my peers will be retirement.

If people think they were unprepared for college costs, wait until they get near retirement age!!!

You only get one shot at planning your financial life, get a complimentary 2nd opinion about your financial planning today.

Is it worth it for you to get a 2nd opinion now?