How to Find the Best Financial Planner

By: Simon Oldmann
Submitted: 2007-01-17 16:17:17
Print this article | Tell a friend | For publisher | Social Bookmarking
Rating:
 

How do you go about finding the best financial planner for your money? Well, like many people, you are probably very skittish when it comes to trusting just anyone with your money and for good reason. However, the skittishness could work to your advantage, when it comes to finding the best financial planner.

In these times, any person walking down the street can proclaim themselves a financial planner, the key is to knowing the good from the bad. Many people have found the market for financial planners is strong because the demand grows with each passing day for financial product advice as people are readying themselves for retirement and other issues become more complex.

Attorneys, accountants, insurance agents, and brokers are all becoming financial planners in addition to their current titles; this may not mean they have your best interests at heart either. This may come at a surprise to you; however, as unfortunate as it is, it is a reality. It is extremely important that you conduct full research to avoid running into an instance where your money has suddenly disappeared without an explanation.

It is also important that you keep in mind, just because a person claims to be a financial planner, does not mean that they have guidelines, or processes that they follow. Therefore, the first thing you must do is find potential financial planners. This can be done easily by searching online, using your favorite search engine, and locating financial planners organizations or you could also talk to you friends, family members, or colleagues and find out whom they recommend. It is important that you trust the judgment of any person you are seeking advice from, when it comes to finding the best financial planner.

After you have gathered a list of prospective financial planners, it is time to start contacting them. Telephone contact should be the first step, through this contact you can ask a variety of questions and eliminate those that do not meet your needs. Some things you should paying attention to during these telephone calls include if they sound to rushed, you will want to dismiss them as potentials. Furthermore, if their asset minimums are simply too much for you, you should dismiss them as well.

Personal and in person meetings are required before you decide on the best financial planner. You will not simply want to make a decision based on telephone conversations and contact. Meeting with the financial planner yourself is the only way to fully determine if you feel good about that specific person. It is suggested that you have at least three meetings before making a decision.

During the meetings, in order to help you determine who the best financial planner is ask the following questions. How many years have you been a financial planner? Do you have any specialty areas? Educational Funding? Estate Planning? You should also be asking what their typical client has in financial and assets needs. This question will help you determine if they are the best financial planner for you.

Simon Oldmann has been studying personality traits for 10 years, with a focus on the effects of financial planning on health and mental stability. Simon is currently writing tips and advice on Financial Planning

Article source: Expert Articles

Most Recent Articles in Finance category

  • Sure Ways to Turn Away a Potential Buyer - By: Nelson Stewart
    So you've listed your home with a reputable agent who has placed internet and newspaper ads. You've just had the first showing and the feedback you received was less than positive. In fact, the people were so turned off, they didn't even complete the tour. There is more to selling a home than marketing. As a seller, there are some very basic things you must never do, or you run the risk of turning away a potential buyer.
  • How to Develop a Budget on a Debt Management Plan - By: Abby Reid
    It isn't easy to carry out a debt management plan or live on a reasonable budget in today's consumer market. Effective advertising and marketing executives work hard to convince the average American citizen that happiness lies in material possessions that only money can buy - fast luxury cars, large homes or cutting-edge electronics. Unfortunately, this is why many people are bogged down with debt and bankruptcy.
  • Short Sales and Your Credit - By: Josh Sloan
    When considering a short sale, be aware of how it affects your credit and your ability to acquire another mortgage down the road. If you intend to buy again, a short sale may mean that you have to wait a shorter time and get a better interest rate than if you go through foreclosure.
  • 'Lease Option' The Most Effective Way to Pull Tenants - By: Jeffery HollyHand
    Finding the ideal occupant can be a difficult job for a landowner but most property-owners are unaware of the fact that the biggest tool to attract tenants has always remained at their disposal. 'Lease Option', a term used for a lease contract in which the lessee is given with the option to buy the property is an effective way to pull tenants towards your estate.
  • Easier Financial Management with Internet Banking - By: Paul McIndoe
    Many people find, for various reasons, that it is often no longer always feasible to perform their banking requirements in their local branch. However, with the developments of internet banking, you needn't miss out when managing your money.
  • Be the Mortgage Lender Through Virgin Money - By: Jerry Clifford
    One way that you may be able to sell your home is by offering the financing yourself. This is not as risky as it sounds, thanks to a new web site that has opened up called 'Virgin Money USA'. Virgin has streamlined a way for ordinary people to arrange loans and it is all explained online in their 'Guide to Seller Mortgages'.
  • Forewarning: A Bank's Best Assets Are Trained Tellers - By: Linda Eagle
    In order to be successful at sales and service, tellers need to be well-trained and encouraged by their Bank.
  • Turn Your Local Eyesore into Eye Candy! - By: Mike Taylor
    If you have an eyesore nearby that may be detracting from the price of your property, your community may qualify for a government grant to clean up and revitalize the area. The U.S. Environmental Protection agency, (EPA) has so far given out millions of dollars in grants to help revitalize unsightly environmental wastes and turn them into local beauty spots or into community assets through the Brownfields Program.
  • Recession inevitable, rates cut or not: economist - By: Paul Sharp
    According to economist's prediction, Australia is facing recession due to several reasons. The main reason is the high debt interest rate. With the high inflation, the interest rate is going up too. That makes family spend most of income to pay for the debt and spend less in retail market. This is the main reason for slump in retail markets and this could lead to a financial crisis.
  • The New Face of Banking: The Well-Trained Teller - By: Linda Eagle
    Banks should invest in Teller Training due to the competition of online banking and compliance risk.