Financial Planning

Finding financial help, and deciding when you need it.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By KATHY M. KRISTOF
A ten-step guide to finding a financial advisors.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By DANIEL GAINES and LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Fundamental strategies in organizing you personal finances.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
The stories of four money make-over subjects, and the lessons they learned.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By TOM PETRUNO and DANIEL GAINES
Investment Truisms May Not Always Hold True

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
It's hard to find someone to give you objective advice.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Anyone can use the term "financial planner." There are no education or experience requirements.

Financial Planning
By TOM PETRUNO
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
By DANIEL GAINES and LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Glossary of financial planning designations.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By TOM PETRUNO
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
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
The first step: Do nothing!

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Resources for do-it-yourselfers.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
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
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Rich Neel had a tough time finding an advisor, but some specialize in middle-income clients.

Case Study: Lottery Leftovers
FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
A big cash prize didn't solve as many problems as it created.

FINANCIAL PLANNING
By LIZ PULLIAM WESTON
Financial planning evolving into a service for the masses.


How Planners Are Paid

  • Fee-only planners are compensated solely by client fees. A few charge by the hour ($100 to $250 an hour), but most charge around 1% of assets. Most require a client to have at least $100,000 in assets.

  • Commission-only planners usually offer free advice. They earn commissions when a client buys stocks, mutual funds and other products.

  • Fee-based planners combine fees with commissions. A financial plan may cost $250 to $2,500 or more, and clients may or may not be expected to buy products that pay the planner a commission.

    ---Liz Pulliam Weston




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