How would someone go about chosing the right financial adviser?
357530
Look at what services they offer. It depends on what you are interested in. You can meet with the people to talk to them without making a long-term commitment. If you want to invest in stocks, make sure they work with stocks and are knowledgeable. If you want to invest in real estate but they only know about the stock market, then they are not the advisers for you. You interests should meet theirs, which means you have to have ideas about you financial plans before meeting them. You shouldn't depend on one company to plan your future for you. You have to be knowledgeable and involved. For someone is just starting, I would go with a company that has TV ads nationally. That means they move millions in revenue and are credible. Meet with reps from the company and talk to them. Find out what they offer for their clients and do your own research.
969326
If you own properties valued 1.1M, then you have enough money to hire a financial planner who can ask the right questions to answer your question.
7682
I would suggest that you work with a professional broker or financial advisor - they can recommend funds & stocks that meet your needs.\n\nAsk someone you trust to recommend someone they trust.\n\nI know nothing about stocks & investing, but I've managed (on average) make some money (and not lose it) in stocks, _only_ becasue I have a broker who I can trust.
122681
A good starting point is the Planner Search feature of the Financial Planning Association's website. (www.fpa.net)\n\nEven if you don't win the big jackpot, a financial planner is a good idea.
52448
First, ask if he/she is a certified financial advisor.  Also, you want one that is fee only, and doesn't receive commisions on the product he endorses.  You want an unbiased opionion of the invests he/she is suggesting.
731812
It depends on where you live. I work for a Bank and the best place in my mind is with my investment specialist, if you have any questions you can email me and I'll give you more information
677987
Invest firstly in your (financial) education. There are a lot of books out there that can help you with that. Always be aware that if a man with money meets a man with experience, the man with the experience gets the money, and the man with the money gets the experience.\n\nEducation always provides the best foundation for investing.
838701
if you call your local social services office they can direct you to the proper office.  sometimes they do it there. but I think you have to meet financial qualifications.
506693
Investment consultants?\n\nor are you talking about investment funds?\n\nIf you really want a consultant, then you better have a ton of money, probably one million dollars or more. I don't think that's what you mean, but I could guess forever.\n\nIf you just want a list of top investment "Funds," those are listed and rated in most major newspapers, USA Today, New York Times, and of course the trade journals -- Wall Street, Investors Business Daily. In particular, check out Barron's mutual fund section. Every four weeks they have a big Mutual Fund insert, so you might want to get that one at the library, but there will be only one library in your area that carries it.\n\nDon't forget to look at the trade magazines, and go to their web sites for more specific searches.\n\nYou can find all of this stuff, and hoardes more at your central library.
1132639
First, look in the phone book.  There will be many popular companies such as Edward Jones, Merril Lynch, Ameriprise, and also many that are local to your area.  You really should set up a consultation with many of them.  You want to get a feel of how they work and how they get paid.  Some get paid a percent of assets under management and some work for flat fees.  You truly want to completely trust whom you intend to control some of your money.   Basically, they will develop a financial plan for you, depending on your feelings toward risk.  They will offer you many other "products" such as life insurance, long-term care insurance on top of the mutual funds/investment products.  They should develop a financial plan that suits your needs.  Shop around for the best one for you and your family.  Good luck.
221193
Check out Dave Ramseys website.  He teaches one of the best finacial planning progams I've ever seen.\n\nhttp://www.daveramsey.com/
253673
go here http://finance.yahoo.com/education/begin_investing and start learning as much as you can, and if you ever get to work with a broker or advisor, they know what they are doing, but they are not magicians, they can't predict the future, so you would have to make your own research when it comes to make an investment decision, and finally they make money based on how many transactions they make a day, so they tell you where to invest, but you make the final decision.
612269
You should first make or get (probably better for you) a personal financial plan. It will consist (among other things) of an evaluation of your present situation, your plans, goals, demands and needs plus a risk profile determing what suits you best. Be sure NEVER to invest money that you cannot miss!
672156
you should check with an attorney as to your rights in this case- if the advise was given verbally as opposed to in writing- it might be more difficult-yet, only an attorney would be sure about that..CFP's- Certified Financial Planners can give financial advice-they have passed rigid exams in ten different areas to get certified-CPA's can also give advise-some have an additional certification in financial planning--CLU's- Chartered Life Underwriters know about pensions and insurance and annuities- they have passed ten tough exams also to get their designation---unfortunately EVERYONE THINKS THEY CAN ADVISE OTHERS- YET FEW ARE QUALIFIED TO DO SO, BY EDUCATION, TRAINING, AND EXAMS & CERTIFICATIONS--unfortunately that lack of qualifications does not stop people from rendering opinions and advise--sorry you have this problem- i believe an attorney could spell out any recourse you might have better than anyone else !!! I am a retired Independent Insurance Broker, & CFP & CPA & LUTCF ..good luck to you- if i can be of further help-holler back at me !!
913009
the cheapest and fastest way I know of is to join the CAB or do a CeMap course.\n\nAll that's required for the former, is for you to call your local CAB (Citizen's Advice Bureau) and they'll send you the appropriate  form to fill in.\n\nIt starts off as voluntary work, with free travel and training in various areas, you'll pick the financial side of things, and I think you can even specialise intow what kind of financial advice you can do.\n\nYou'll have enough training and experience if you do this even part time within two years.\nAnother way of course  is to register to do CeMap training (just google it)\n\nit's relatively cheap compared to the benefits you'd get once you get a job or start business, the average person that gives mortgage advice for example gets an average £10,000 for every sale that results from a talk with him... and of course if you're employed, you don't have to make a sale to get paid, you just have to attend the interview and offer fairly average to good customer service!
85855
As a long-time financial executive in the investment field, it is my opinion is that any answer you receive that cites a specific fund is wrong!  A proper answer must consider your personal situation, you investment timeframe, your tolerance for risk, etc.  My answer is that you should try and determine what fund or funds best fit your specific situation (either personally or by hiring a qualified investment specialist -- not a mutual fund sales person).  A few sources I've used in the past include (but are not limited to):\n\nhttp://moneycentral.msn.com/investor/finder/predeffunds.aspx\nhttp://www.morningstar.com/\nhttp://www.maxfunds.com/content/navigator/alphasearch.htm\nhttp://www.fundalarm.com/
1044859
Okay let's start with American Funds which is who runs ICA.  AF is an awesome fund company for a couple of reasons.  One they are a private company which means they only answer to their MF holders.  Unlike a company like Fidelity which is a good company also but they are owed by stock holders.  In the long run the company that only answers to you the MF holder is going to look out for your best interest and returns more diligently.  They also have some of the lowest annual fees to maintain an account of any MF company.  All that being said, depending on your situation ICA may or may not be good for you.  You need a competent advisor to help you with that.  I would be cautious with ICA as it is one of the largest MF in the world.  They may seem like a good thing but it actually can be bad.  It means it has much less flexibility to move its money around when condititon warrant it.  As far as EJ goes, they hire people on average who have very little experience in the industry, so at a minimum make sure your rep has a lot of experience and didn't just start last month at this.  They also have agreements with companies like American Funds where their reps get a bigger commission to them then they do with other products.  The concern being your advice from EJ might be tainted by the reps desire to get more commission.  You need to work with an independant rep to assist you with you decisions.   One who will give you all the information and doesn't have a hidden agenda.  If you want to send me email and tell me what state you're in I probably could refer you to a couple.  Good luck.