| Most people don't run into problems managing their | | | | situation. If there are any special concerns or |
| own finances and then there are those who wouldn't | | | | requests you feel are important, like investment help, |
| know where to begin. Even for those financial | | | | debt management or budget consultations, then |
| experts out there, personal financial planning can | | | | include them in your list so that you don't forget. |
| become a difficult task to accomplish. There are | | | | Request that they give you specific answers to your |
| problems such as not having the time or a | | | | questions and not dance around the subject. Be |
| complicated situation that causes you to be in over | | | | careful of anyone who ignores or laughs off your |
| your head. This is when the assistance of a | | | | questions. Also, stay away from someone that is |
| professional finance planner becomes a priority. | | | | ambiguous with their answers. |
| In order to hire the right person, it is important that | | | | - Ask about their charges and fees. What do all of |
| you understand what to look for and what to avoid. | | | | these charges cover? Some companies create an |
| You better understand what you want out of a | | | | invoice for every transaction. If yours does this, then |
| financial planner. Are you in need of some | | | | there is a good chance of you paying more than if |
| comprehensive planning advice? Does your retirement | | | | you are billed a monthly or flat fee. It is important |
| portfolio need reviewing? Are you having difficulty | | | | that before you make any commitment that you |
| putting together a business plan? Different companies | | | | understand if their charges are all inclusive or if there |
| have different areas skills they are best at, so it is | | | | are any extra charges involved, like fees for filing or |
| important you find one who can best help you with | | | | photocopying. |
| your specific situation. | | | | - If you are having trouble finding a company that |
| - When looking for an expert in the financial planning | | | | offers financial planning services, try going through |
| industry, the trick is to find a company or individual | | | | your tax office. Another way is ask the local |
| that has experience working with people in the same | | | | representative of the Certified Financial Planner Board |
| position as you as far as income and debt goes. The | | | | of Standards, Inc. |
| last thing you want to do is hire a financial planning | | | | - Once you've found a company that you think will fit |
| service company that only handles large companies | | | | all of your needs, schedule a meeting and try to |
| and has little to no experience with individual, personal | | | | develop a rapport with them. Ask to speak with the |
| finances. In your first screening interview, try and get | | | | person who will be actually handling your finances and |
| as much information as you can about their services | | | | not their assistant. The important thing here is to get |
| and experiences. It's ok to discuss your own personal | | | | a feel for how they react to difficult questions and |
| history if it is relevant. | | | | situations. |
| - Jot down a small list of related questions to the | | | | |