If you’ve ever considered using a financial planner, you have quite an array of choices. I’ve heard professional advisors joke that all you need to call yourself a financial planner is a piece of cardboard and a crayon. Financial planning is a relatively young industry and somewhat unregulated. How do you avoid getting hooked up with a Bernie Madoff or, closer to home, an Allen Stanford? Beyond the basic trait of honesty, how do you know a particular planner is competent? And even if they’re honest and competent, will they act in your best interest in giving advice? Or will they simply try to sell products that earn them the most commission? There’s probably well over half a million people out there calling themselves financial advisor, planner or some variation. One way to do some weeding out is to check for professional designations. Continue Reading…