Financial Planning

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Recognizing You Need Help

When it comes to straightening out your finances, there are two ways to go: alone or with hired help.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Money Make-Over Lessons

When the Times was publishing the Money Make-Over series, we learned firsthand that there is a strong appetite among Southern Californians for help organizing their finances, and that even knowledgeable investors and savers want to make sure they are on the right track.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

A Few Universal Truths

Financial planning involves three basic steps: knowing where you stand, determining where you want to go and figuring out how to get there.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Gospel or Just Old Sermons?

The best financial advice is the most obvious advice.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

So Where Does the Little Guy Turn?

You just started saving for retirement and you want to make sure you're on track. Or you have a small portfolio of investments and you wonder if you're taking the appropriate amount of risk.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

What Is a Financial Planner?

Anyone can use the term "financial planner." There are no education or experience requirements.

Financial Planning

Interviewing An Advisor: What to Ask

Once you have narrowed down the list of financial advisors who may suit your needs--and who have agreed to consider accepting you as a client--there are many questions you will want to ask each in a one-on-one interview.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Financial Planner Credentials

When discussing with your planner how he or she is paid for helping you, it will be helpful to understand the variety of credentials that are offered to financial planners and tax advisors. The most respected designations--those that require the most preparation and knowledge and the highest ethical standards--are the CFA, CFP, ChFC, CPA and PFS.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Getting Help: A Resource List

If you're interested in finding a financial advisor but aren't sure where or how to begin, here are some resources that can help.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

What to Do With a Windfall

A financial windfall can solve a host of problems--and cause more, including tax and legal predicaments. Whether it's from the lottery, a legal settlement, stock options, life insurance proceeds, a buyout or an inheritance, the first step is to do nothing.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

How to Be Your Own Financial Planner

People who are starting out or have portfolios under $100,000 often have a difficult time finding objective financial planning advice. But new resources on the Internet and personal finance software make it easier to map your financial plan at a reasonable cost.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Q&A: Planning Issues

Q: I am one week away from selling a second-generation family business and receiving far more money than I've ever had the pleasure to manage (approximately $4.5 million net). I will be working for the company that has acquired our business, so I don't need any of the proceeds of the sale right away. (I am 47 years old.) Could you give some suggestions as to how to properly invest and manage such a sum? P.S.: I enjoy your comments to people trying to "use" the system or to get away with something less than ethical.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Case Study: Enough Assets for a Financial Planner?

Like many people caught in market turmoil, Rich Neel decided he needed a financial planner to make sure his finances were on track. And like many people, the 26-year-old pharmaceuticals salesman had a hard time finding someone to help him.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Case Study: Lottery Leftovers

If you think a million-dollar lottery prize would solve your financial problems, perhaps you should speak to Xuong Do.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

The Future of Advice

Better financial planning advice is on the way--and it's not just for the wealthy anymore.