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Home > Has it really been eighteen months??

Has it really been eighteen months??

November 26th, 2009 at 03:38 am

My last entry was in May of 2008. I really am one of the worst bloggers on the planet, I think! At any rate, its hard to believe its been that long but apparently it has been. Please forgive me...again. If it will help any, you can give me 40 lashings with a wet noodle!

A lot has changed in the last year and a half, mostly for the better. I'll post more about that within the next couple of days. In the meantime, though, how does one go about finding a reputable financial advisor? No, I didn't win the lottery and don't have tons of money but it's past time I started thinking ahead and I'm kind of lost. And if anyone knows how to proceed, it would be you guys. Maybe I don't even need a financial advisor. Perhaps I can figure this out on my own. But I don't know where to start.

Thoughts? Input? Thanks!

Posted in Just Life | 7 Comments »

7 Responses to “Has it really been eighteen months??”

  1. baselle Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 03:55 am 1259207701
    1259207701

    After fee based vs commission based (pick fee based, means the FP won't try and push what gives him a commission)
    and that FPs should have some licensing from your state that you can search on. For example, I would go to Washington State Department of Financial Institutions.

    After that, I don't know much more than you do.

    And forgive us that we didn't hunt you down and ask you how you were! Big Grin

  2. DeniseNTexas Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 04:45 am 1259210758
    1259210758

    Thanks for sharing that with me. I've contacted a Dave Ramsey kinda FP in a nearby town and hope to meet with him soon. We've also talked to a Primerica person. I don't know much about Primerica but did some research and there sure seems to be good/bad said about them. I really don't care about the fact that they're MLM or similar - I want to know if their customers are happy, if the products are good, etc. and that's what I can't find a lot on. I really think going with an independent, if we use one at all, is the way to go.

    As for hunting me down, a few people have emailed me over the months asking how I was! Smile

  3. dtjunkie Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 05:38 am 1259213918
    1259213918

    I think if you don't have a ton of money yet. You can handle it yourself. Suze Orman probably has sound easy to follow advice for safe financial planning.

  4. NJDebbie Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 01:16 pm 1259241365
    1259241365

    OMG, I was so excited to see you blog again. I've been wondering about you for a while now. I'm so glad you are back. I missed you!

  5. DeniseNTexas Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 02:52 pm 1259247141
    1259247141

    dtjunkie, thanks for your input. I think you're right. One of the things I'd really like to know is what the mutual funds are that Dave and Suze talk about that over the years have earned 12%. I can't seem to find that out but am still working on it. Smile
    Debbie, good to see your font again! Hope you're well. I signed up at swagbucks using your referral number.

  6. NJDebbie Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 03:22 pm 1259248948
    1259248948

    Thanks!

  7. baselle Says:
    November 26th, 2009 at 09:40 pm 1259271601
    1259271601

    Yeah, I don't know about any mutual fund that consistently earns 12% in the short term. Think about it - when word gets out everybody gets on board. The influx of money means that either the managers play it safe, or they put the extra in wilder investments, both of which will cause earnings to fall.

    Aim for a total stock index fund with low fees administered by Vanguard or Fidelity. This would be your core holding. As you get more into investing and put more in, get a little wilder, but no more than 5% wilder - those will be your spokes.

    If you want to research mutual funds, Morningstar is a good place to start.

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