2torial #0667:
Learn2 Choose a Financial Planner

A simple plan

Perhaps you're trying to find something wise to do with your retirement savings. Maybe you need help managing some funds you've inherited from a relative's estate. Or maybe you just need someone to help you identify your fiscal problems and objectives. Whatever the reason, a good financial planner can assess your financial situation and formulate a plan that will help you reach your financial goals.

But finding a good financial planner can be tricky. A large number of self-proclaimed planners are really just people looking to make some extra money. By knowing the right questions to ask, you'll be able to quickly weed out unqualified "planners" and hire someone who'll give you sound advice.

Before you even think about hiring a financial planner, learn as much as you can about personal finance. After all, there's no way you'll be able to fully utilize the planner's services without knowing the right questions to ask. If you're counting on your financial planner to magically solve all of your money problems, you're headed for trouble.

Read about mutual funds, investments, and the ins and outs of insurance. A good financial planner will try to guide you toward making decisions that will optimize your finances, but in the end, you're responsible for these choices. Besides, the more you know about your finances, the less of the financial planner's costly time you'll need to pay for--which is better for you financially.