Hi Everybody.
Googled my way over to this forum a few days ago. I've just begun researching RJL Wealth Management, Ray Lucia's financial planning firm. Yes, I think I 'm another "Ray Fan."
I've been reading some of the Ray Lucia related threads on this site and he seems to be fairly well respected although some take issue with his marketing approach or some of his advice (e.g. untraded REITs).
His approach makes a lot of sense to me, but unlike most of the posts I've read so far, I feel the need for expertise in my retirement planning, at least to get things started. I don't trust myself to navigate the financial planning landscape by myself, or even with friendly advice alone, anymore than I would in legal or medical issues.
A friend of mine at work turned me on to Ray's books, and I must say I agree with most of what I've read so far, including the wisdom of seeking expert financial advice. I was excited to find out about RJL Wealth Management. Which led me to my research and to this forum.
Besides this forum, I also came across a guy by the name of Seth Hettena. As with Ray Lucia, I'd never heard of him a few months ago, but his name popped up as I searched to see if there were any negative things written about Ray or RJLWM. I thought at first that he might be a crackpot, but I found out he is a published author and freelance writer. His bio on Amazon says he is a former reporter and correspondent for The Associated Press, and that his work has appeared in The New Yorker, SPIN and other publications.
He has about 4 or 5 entries in his blog that are very critical, not just of Ray's methods and advice, but also of his character. Here are a couple of the titles: "Study Confirms Ray Lucia is Selling Snake Oil," The 'Buckets of Money' Seminars: Who Pays?," Ray Lucia's Brokerage Settles SEC Charges," and "Ray Lucia Defamation Threat."
Has anyone heard of Seth Hettena, read any of his stuff, especially on Ray Lucia, or heard anything else about some of the accusations he's made about Ray and RJLWM?
I still think that getting expert advice in my retirement planning would be beneficial, and Ray's books still make a lot of sense to me, but when you come across something negative like this you have to wonder. I'd appreciate any input that would help shed some light.
BTW, I'm 61, retired last year from my job with the State of Maryland, drawing a pension of $33K a year (before taxes), and doing volunteer work at a local mission as a grant writer/researcher. This may turn into a pt or ft position in the future. My wife and I have about $300K in IRA's and Roths, about $125K in Mutual funds (taxable), and about $70K in liquid assets. My wife is still working and hopes to go part time in a few weeks. Our plan is for us to live off my pension and our pt incomes, then take SS when we're 66. Our budget is about 6K per mo.
We are grandparents of 5 beautiful grandkids, have no mortgage on our condo (yes, I'm also one of those pay-off-the-mortgage folks), and we are debt free.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
Googled my way over to this forum a few days ago. I've just begun researching RJL Wealth Management, Ray Lucia's financial planning firm. Yes, I think I 'm another "Ray Fan."
I've been reading some of the Ray Lucia related threads on this site and he seems to be fairly well respected although some take issue with his marketing approach or some of his advice (e.g. untraded REITs).
His approach makes a lot of sense to me, but unlike most of the posts I've read so far, I feel the need for expertise in my retirement planning, at least to get things started. I don't trust myself to navigate the financial planning landscape by myself, or even with friendly advice alone, anymore than I would in legal or medical issues.
A friend of mine at work turned me on to Ray's books, and I must say I agree with most of what I've read so far, including the wisdom of seeking expert financial advice. I was excited to find out about RJL Wealth Management. Which led me to my research and to this forum.
Besides this forum, I also came across a guy by the name of Seth Hettena. As with Ray Lucia, I'd never heard of him a few months ago, but his name popped up as I searched to see if there were any negative things written about Ray or RJLWM. I thought at first that he might be a crackpot, but I found out he is a published author and freelance writer. His bio on Amazon says he is a former reporter and correspondent for The Associated Press, and that his work has appeared in The New Yorker, SPIN and other publications.
He has about 4 or 5 entries in his blog that are very critical, not just of Ray's methods and advice, but also of his character. Here are a couple of the titles: "Study Confirms Ray Lucia is Selling Snake Oil," The 'Buckets of Money' Seminars: Who Pays?," Ray Lucia's Brokerage Settles SEC Charges," and "Ray Lucia Defamation Threat."
Has anyone heard of Seth Hettena, read any of his stuff, especially on Ray Lucia, or heard anything else about some of the accusations he's made about Ray and RJLWM?
I still think that getting expert advice in my retirement planning would be beneficial, and Ray's books still make a lot of sense to me, but when you come across something negative like this you have to wonder. I'd appreciate any input that would help shed some light.
BTW, I'm 61, retired last year from my job with the State of Maryland, drawing a pension of $33K a year (before taxes), and doing volunteer work at a local mission as a grant writer/researcher. This may turn into a pt or ft position in the future. My wife and I have about $300K in IRA's and Roths, about $125K in Mutual funds (taxable), and about $70K in liquid assets. My wife is still working and hopes to go part time in a few weeks. Our plan is for us to live off my pension and our pt incomes, then take SS when we're 66. Our budget is about 6K per mo.
We are grandparents of 5 beautiful grandkids, have no mortgage on our condo (yes, I'm also one of those pay-off-the-mortgage folks), and we are debt free.
Looking forward to hearing from you!
! Please disregard my info request - but thanks for your advice. 
