Spending money to work with a qualified financial advisor will end up saving you time and money in the long run. If you are like most busy professionals, you simply do not have the time or expertise to get your finances in order. This can lead to costly mistakes that can shake your financial stability giving you heartache and headaches.

Financial planners will help you purchase a new home, plan for retirement or your children’s education. Whatever your needs, working with a financial planner can be a helpful step in securing your financial future.

Financial planning can help you:

* Minimize the taxes you pay
* Maximize your investment returns
* Make your retirement years more comfortable and secure
* Handle your day-to-day finances faster and easier
* Increase your savings and optimize the growth of your wealth
* Improve your cash flow for a better balance between income and expenses
* Accumulate funds for special goals, like higher education for children
* Look after your dependents in case of death or disability
* Estimate your insurance needs
* Have more confidence in your financial decisions
* Transfer the assets of your estate to your heirs in the most effective way

These are just some of the benefits of financial planning – benefits that everyone can enjoy.

How to find a financial planner?
Consider that many professionals – from brokers to accountants to insurance agents – market themselves as financial planners these days. What you want is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM (CFP®) who will look not just at your stocks or your taxes or your insurance needs, but also at your current net worth and your long-term goals.

What To Look For When Choosing A Financial Planner:
When you select a financial advisor, there are a number of factors you must take into account – expertise, experience, integrity and even personal compatibility. If you are looking for objective advice you can’t ignore the question of how the advisor is compensated.

Why Select A Fee-Only Comprehensive Financial Advisor?
The greater the advisor’s dependence on commission income, the greater the conflict. In the end, that conflict can cost you, both in out-of-pocket expenses and in the quality of advice you receive. There is a significant conflict of interest if an advisor stands to gain financially from any recommendations you may follow.

You also can get lists of planners near you from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors, the fee-only association (1-888-333-6659, or www.napfa.org), or the Financial Planning Association (1-888-806-7526, or www.fpanet.org).

Finally, be aware that training, credentials, and professional reputation only go so far. Ultimately you’ve got to feel comfortable with your financial adviser, and no reference or degree can tell you if a planner is right for you. For that, you’ve got to meet her face-to-face and ask the right questions.