Financial Advisor Recommendation

[throwittoblythe]

I'm considering hiring a financial advisor in the DSM to help with our financial planning, but am struggling with where to start. I'm near-40 and have managed this process up until now. We have a strong financial plan in place (Consistently saved 15%, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, index funds, life insurance, will, 529s, etc, etc).

I am NOT looking for someone to actively manage my investment portfolio. I'm looking for someone to help put together a financial plan that will achieve our financial goals and meet annually to make sure we're on track. Life has gotten busy enough and our finances complicated enough that I'm to the point of looking for someone to take this on for me.

Can anyone recommend a good person or firm to reach out to?

DISCLAIMER: If you find yourself typing "just read Bogleheads," then stop. Because I already do.

 

[Macloney]

https://www.zmarkfinancial.com/

A Fiduciary is a good start. This guy will answer any questions you have and isn't out to sell anything.

 

[MJ29]

Tim Fitzgerald -- https://timfitzgerald.wradvisors.com/

 

[BCClone]

I'm considering hiring a financial advisor in the DSM to help with our financial planning, but am struggling with where to start. I'm near-40 and have managed this process up until now. We have a strong financial plan in place (Consistently saved 15%, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, index funds, life insurance, will, 529s, etc, etc).

I am NOT looking for someone to actively manage my investment portfolio. I'm looking for someone to help put together a financial plan that will achieve our financial goals and meet annually to make sure we're on track. Life has gotten busy enough and our finances complicated enough that I'm to the point of looking for someone to take this on for me.

Can anyone recommend a good person or firm to reach out to?

DISCLAIMER: If you find yourself typing "just read Bogleheads," then stop. Because I already do.

Sounds like you are sitting good. I’ve invested in nearly everything you can. Just use good mutual funds and you will sit well. I have used advisors and haven’t found them worth their money unless you want alternative investments.

 

[Marcelason78]

Fidelity seems like a good fit for you.

 

[drmwevr08]

Mike Berry - Vision Financial

Financial Integrators

vfghelps.com

 

[ISUCyclones2015]

I'm considering hiring a financial advisor in the DSM to help with our financial planning, but am struggling with where to start. I'm near-40 and have managed this process up until now. We have a strong financial plan in place (Consistently saved 15%, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, index funds, life insurance, will, 529s, etc, etc).

I am NOT looking for someone to actively manage my investment portfolio. I'm looking for someone to help put together a financial plan that will achieve our financial goals and meet annually to make sure we're on track. Life has gotten busy enough and our finances complicated enough that I'm to the point of looking for someone to take this on for me.

Can anyone recommend a good person or firm to reach out to?

DISCLAIMER: If you find yourself typing "just read Bogleheads," then stop. Because I already do.

Just read bogleheads bro!

My only advice I can offer because I helped my stepmom find one after my dad passed and I wasn't going to run her finances for her. Is to find one that works on a flat yearly (or monthly) fee and not percentage. The ones that work on percentage usually tout the most ridiculously high fee mutual funds that they get commission for. You might get some of that with the flat fee people but it's not nearly as egregious and as they get paid the same no matter what, they actually listen to what YOU want far more.

 

[throwittoblythe]

Sounds like you are sitting good. I’ve invested in nearly everything you can. Just use good mutual funds and you will sit well. I have used advisors and haven’t found them worth their money unless you want alternative investments.

I don’t disagree. But life has reached the point where I don’t have the time to focus on this stuff and our investments have reached a point where a 5% swing is a significant change in total dollars.

 

[BCClone]

I don’t disagree. But life has reached the point where I don’t have the time to focus on this stuff and our investments have reached a point where a 5% swing is a significant change in total dollars.

And it will keep becoming that way the more and more you accumulate. So the best thing you can do is basically figure out a longer-termplan for 5-10years and just run with that I found out

If you trying to avoid the down turns you will drive yourself crazy

 

[SayMyName]

And it will keep becoming that way the more and more you accumulate. So the best thing you can do is basically figure out a longer-termplan for 5-10years and just run with that I found out

If you trying to avoid the down turns you will drive yourself crazy

Totally agree.

OP seems conflicted / confused. On one hand, he says he doesn't want somebody to actively manage his portfolio. Then in the next breath he seems to indicate a 5% fluctuation in account balance is too painful.

So which is it? No financial advisor is going to be able to prevent market fluctuations from impacting your portfolio in the short-term (without active management), but rather should help keep you on track over a very long time horizon.

 

[BillBrasky4Cy]

Roman Craig

 

[throwittoblythe]

Totally agree.

OP seems conflicted / confused. On one hand, he says he doesn't want somebody to actively manage his portfolio. Then in the next breath he seems to indicate a 5% fluctuation in account balance is too painful.

So which is it? No financial advisor is going to be able to prevent market fluctuations from impacting your portfolio in the short-term (without active management), but rather should help keep you on track over a very long time horizon.

Let me clarify: Im in agreement with Bogleheada when it comes to actively a managed funds. Im not willing to pay someone to do that because it costs more in the long run.

My comment on the 5% was meant to be an indication that the size of my funds has reached a point where small mistakes can hurt.

Im really looking for financial planning. Things like: balance between stocks/bonds, when to move into lower risk investments as I age, how to make sure I’m in the best situation for taxes, etc etc.

These are all things I could research myself but I just don’t have the time/energy.

 

[Lexclone]

I'm considering hiring a financial advisor in the DSM to help with our financial planning, but am struggling with where to start. I'm near-40 and have managed this process up until now. We have a strong financial plan in place (Consistently saved 15%, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, index funds, life insurance, will, 529s, etc, etc).

I am NOT looking for someone to actively manage my investment portfolio. I'm looking for someone to help put together a financial plan that will achieve our financial goals and meet annually to make sure we're on track. Life has gotten busy enough and our finances complicated enough that I'm to the point of looking for someone to take this on for me.

Can anyone recommend a good person or firm to reach out to?

DISCLAIMER: If you find yourself typing "just read Bogleheads," then stop. Because I already do.

If you read bogleheads have you looked into Vanguard’s financial advisor service? I’m like you (I think, in that I can take care of most stuff). Vanguard’s service and a good accounting firm (they can work together if you allow) make a pretty good, no active investing, solution.

 

[BCClone]

Let me clarify: Im in agreement with Bogleheada when it comes to actively a managed funds. Im not willing to pay someone to do that because it costs more in the long run.

My comment on the 5% was meant to be an indication that the size of my funds has reached a point where small mistakes can hurt.

Im really looking for financial planning. Things like: balance between stocks/bonds, when to move into lower risk investments as I age, how to make sure I’m in the best situation for taxes, etc etc.

These are all things I could research myself but I just don’t have the time/energy.

Do you do your own taxes or hire a CPA?

 

[Trice]

I'm considering hiring a financial advisor in the DSM to help with our financial planning, but am struggling with where to start. I'm near-40 and have managed this process up until now. We have a strong financial plan in place (Consistently saved 15%, Roth IRA, Traditional IRA, 401k, index funds, life insurance, will, 529s, etc, etc).

I am NOT looking for someone to actively manage my investment portfolio. I'm looking for someone to help put together a financial plan that will achieve our financial goals and meet annually to make sure we're on track. Life has gotten busy enough and our finances complicated enough that I'm to the point of looking for someone to take this on for me.

Can anyone recommend a good person or firm to reach out to?

DISCLAIMER: If you find yourself typing "just read Bogleheads," then stop. Because I already do.

As I'm sure you've read on Bogleheads, find someone who charges by the hour or a retainer. Don't get anyone who sells you anything other kind of financial product or charges a percentage of your portfolio. There are far fewer of them than financial advisors who want to sell you insurance, investments, or annuities. If you're willing to do it over the internet, that opens up the field a bit more.

And if your situation is a little unusual in some way - you work a particular industry, for example - there might be a niche advisor out there who specializes in people with your situation.

For the planner, try searching XY Planning Network.

On the investment side, you seem like a good candidate for a roboadvisor. Vanguard has been pushing their Digital Advisor offering pretty hard the last two or three years, and it's a modest price of just 0.20% per year. There are plenty of other competitors in that space.

 

[CYdTracked]

Not sure if this fits what you are looking for as you probably will need to have some kind of investment they manage for you to have use of their services but I use Foster Group for one of my investments and they give me pretty sound advice on everything I have financially even if its funds and accounts they don't manage.

Wealth Management & Financial Planning | Des Moines, IA & Omaha, NE

Foster Group is a fee-only investment advisor specialized in Financial Planning & Investment Services for Individuals and Institutions with locations in Des Moines & Omaha.

www.fostergrp.com

 

[CyJack13]

Just let this board advise you, post your financial statements here and we'll take it from there...all free of charge!

 

[throwittoblythe]

Do you do your own taxes or hire a CPA?

I hire a CPA. I screwed up our taxes a few years ago and got a couple nasty IRS letters. I'm willing to pay to not have that happen ever again.

 

[throwittoblythe]

As I'm sure you've read on Bogleheads, find someone who charges by the hour or a retainer. Don't get anyone who sells you anything other kind of financial product or charges a percentage of your portfolio. There are far fewer of them than financial advisors who want to sell you insurance, investments, or annuities. If you're willing to do it over the internet, that opens up the field a bit more.

And if your situation is a little unusual in some way - you work a particular industry, for example - there might be a niche advisor out there who specializes in people with your situation.

For the planner, try searching XY Planning Network.

On the investment side, you seem like a good candidate for a roboadvisor. Vanguard has been pushing their Digital Advisor offering pretty hard the last two or three years, and it's a modest price of just 0.20% per year. There are plenty of other competitors in that space.

This is exactly where I'm coming from. I don't need insurance or other financial products because I have them all covered. I would also refuse to work with anyone who required me to invest in THEIR fund.

 

[throwittoblythe]

If you read bogleheads have you looked into Vanguard’s financial advisor service? I’m like you (I think, in that I can take care of most stuff). Vanguard’s service and a good accounting firm (they can work together if you allow) make a pretty good, no active investing, solution.

I have not looked into that very seriously. Do you have experience with it? All my IRAs are currently with Vanguard, so that would be a nice fit.