Rich_by_the_Bay
Moderator Emeritus
Like quite a few others, I took advantage of the free CFP services included in Vanguard's flagship deal. We filled out a basic questionnaire a few days in advance, and the planner called at the appointed hour. Our goal was a sanity check on the overall game plan.
DW and I met with her for around 45 minutes. She (the CFP, that is) was certainly more focused on investment and allocation advice rather than comprehensive financial planning. Bottom line was that her advice was surprisingly appropriate, relevant and sensible: keep doing what we're doing (which is essentially what is in Solin's retirement book). We are now down to 4 funds (total market index, international index, total bond, and MMF) plus a couple of smaller straggler accounts I can't roll over, at a 50:50 allocation, excluding our emergency/large expense fund which we like to keep aside in a separate account.
The word "annuity" never came up. I know not everyone has a good experience with that service, but overall, it was worth doing and the CFP is available by phone at our discretion.
P.S. Another benefit was that it increased DWD's confidence level in our plan. Nice to hear it from a 3rd party.
DW and I met with her for around 45 minutes. She (the CFP, that is) was certainly more focused on investment and allocation advice rather than comprehensive financial planning. Bottom line was that her advice was surprisingly appropriate, relevant and sensible: keep doing what we're doing (which is essentially what is in Solin's retirement book). We are now down to 4 funds (total market index, international index, total bond, and MMF) plus a couple of smaller straggler accounts I can't roll over, at a 50:50 allocation, excluding our emergency/large expense fund which we like to keep aside in a separate account.
The word "annuity" never came up. I know not everyone has a good experience with that service, but overall, it was worth doing and the CFP is available by phone at our discretion.
P.S. Another benefit was that it increased DWD's confidence level in our plan. Nice to hear it from a 3rd party.