Recently, a study about the secrets to a marriage revealed that one of the ways to ensure your marriage is a happy one is to hire a financial planner. As most married couples will tell you, sharing finances is always a hot-button for their marriage and most of their fights revolve around money issues. Since most of us can relate to that, it seems important to heed that advice and hire a financial planner. However, there are several things that you should think about when looking for the perfect planner.
First of all, anyone can call themselves a financial planner and any company can give that title to an employee. Think of sandwich makers at sub shops being called ‘sandwich artists’- are they really artists? The same can be said for financial planners. You need to look for someone who has earned certification such as Certified Financial Planner or Personal Financial Specialists certification. These individuals have met with certain training standards and have experience.
Second, you need to make sure that they will offer what you are looking for. Some planners only offer comprehensive services of give advice. If you are only looking for direction then someone who will give you advice is a great choice but if you are looking for someone to help set you up in the stock market or help you set up a retirement plan, you will need someone who offers more.
Just like you get second opinions when redesigning your kitchen, you should speak with at least three financial planners to make sure that your needs are being met and that you have found the right person for you. Always take personal references from friends and families. If they trust someone with their money, you are probably safe.