Comments on: Jumpstart Your Retirement Plan Days (Kiplinger Magazine Giveaway!)

By: Nathan

Nathan — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:47:16 +0000

Kiplinger’s is a wonderful resource. I usually access the webpage.

By: Eric N.

Eric N. — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 04:57:47 +0000

^sorry to hear that zach! unfortunately many people fall into the hands of unscrupulous planners like you did. i hope you have better luck finding the next one…remember fee-only!

By: zach

zach — Sun, 11 Jan 2009 23:45:22 +0000

i wanted to get on top of my finances and get things organized so i went to a financial planner in a major brokerage firm in november. since then, i’ve transferred all of my IRA’s to that brokerage account. he explained everything simply to me and i thought i fully understood what i was getting into, making an intelligent, well informed decision. but now i realize that the “A” shares that he recommended were probably only recommended because he got the most out of me buying them, and that every time i contribute to my account he gets a piece of it.

i have no problem with this, but i wish i had known. once my one year contract with this firm ends late this year, i will go on my own and hire an outside planner like you recommended, maybe two or three times a year, for an hour to get my things in order. i’d rather get unbiased advice from someone who doesn’t stand to gain from my decisions.

i really appreciate this information.

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 19:15:29 +0000

Kipling is always great (Yes for some reason I always spell Kiplinger this way) and hopefully I’m still eligible!

(and unlike Robb up there, I’m just commenting to enter for a chance to win )

By: Robb

Robb — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:24:36 +0000

I’ve had to recently research my girlfriend’s 403b annuity. If anyone wants good info on 403b I would suggest 403bwise.com. I obviously did the math for her and the fees on the variable annuity offered through her school are terrible. Working on getting her out of it.

I thought I’d at least post something useful instead of shamelessly posting just to enter the content.

By: Eric N.

Eric N. — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 05:22:28 +0000

I’ll have to remember to check in. Thanks for the heads up!

By: thomas

thomas — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:29:31 +0000

Commission based services suck. I don’t have anything good to say about them.

By: Thankful

Thankful — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:05:05 +0000

Thanks for the chance! I look forward to seeing all the questions posted.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:52:12 +0000

Thanks for the info and here’s my entry. There’s one thing I’ve struggled with for years when it comes to financial advisors: how do you know if they’re any good?

Most people (including me) who go to a financial advisor have no method to evaluate that advisor’s past performance or capability. For a potential cost of $1000-3000 bucks for a financial plan, I would want to know whether or not I’m getting my money’s worth.