While nearly everyone could benefit from working with a professional financial planner, the cost is often prohibitive. There comes a time, however, when paying for financial advice becomes a solid investment in your future.

How do you know when it’s time to hire a financial advisor?

From time to time I get emails from readers who have realized that they need financial help that goes beyond reading blogs and books.

Some readers’ finances have suddenly grown more complicated, either as the result of a new job or an inheritance, while others simply want personalized advice that helps them increase their savings or pay down debt.
After over 15 years of writing on the subject, I consider myself well versed in personal finance, but I don’t have experience with individual counseling. That’s something to consider if you seek a financial advisor; it’s no different than seeing a doctor who may have 10 years of research and publishing experience but has never performed clinical exams.

What I do in these situations is recommend to our readers that they begin to search for a fee-only financial planner in their area (assuming the reader really does need a personal financial advisor and can afford one).

You can find a financial advisor through Paladin Registry— a free directory of financial planners and registered investment advisors.

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