I have learned the hard way that you have to take the initiative and research things before you jump in to investments. Know exactly what you are investing in. I think Freebird could be right about a fee-based financial planner with a fiduciary responsibility to the client being more trustworthy. I don't know that I could consult with anybody after all the money I lost a few years back through bad advice from predatory individuals posing as financial advisors with my best interests at heart. I have one(and only one) financial sounding board: my ninety year old Aunt. She built her own retirement and quit working at age 58 and boy, is she smart. Reads all day long...WSJ, Morningstar, The Economist, online sources. You have to have an interest and put in the time. No substitute for this.