Comments on: Retirement: It’s Like Being 18 Only With Money

By: Free Money Finance

Free Money Finance — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:20:16 +0000

Star Money Articles for the Week of September 3…

Here are some recent interesting posts from the MoneyBlogNetwork and beyond: Blueprint for Financial Prosperity asks why airlines can overbook flights. Consumerism Commentary has had a lunch conversion. AllFinancialMatters details the highs and lows of…

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 01:48:19 +0000

I guess it really boils down to one thing, time. Sounds from Jeremy’s experience that I’d be better off just getting the free book and going through it at my own pace. On the other hand, Financial Blogger and Mom have a good point, why pass up a free fancy meal. They do have a lunch meeting as well, if I can make it over lunch maybe I’ll go, my evenings are just already too full.

By: bill

bill — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 23:30:00 +0000

Thanks for the heads-up. I’ve received something similar to Ameriprise and wondered if it was worth bothering with. A fee-based financial advisor seems like a good idea provided they don’t have any arrangements for a kick-back on some of the funds they recommend.

By: The Financial Blogger

The Financial Blogger — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 11:11:38 +0000

I agree with Mom, go have dinner and enjoy your evening. The only thing you have to make sure of, is to convinced yourself to not sign anything on that night. Take all documentation with you first. Leave it on the counter for a couple of days and then read it. You will have a much better opinion on the subject than if you look at it after being pumped by catchy phrases and fulled by wine and desert!

By: MoneyNing

MoneyNing — Thu, 06 Sep 2007 05:27:17 +0000

My friend is a real estate agent and she told me that because of how she looks (gorgeous and young), people don’t take her seriously even though she’s been in the field for years, while some of her colleagues just got into the field and clients instantly think they are experienced because they look aged and wise.

On another note, good decision to go with a fee based advisor since they don’t have an incentive to ask you to do something that might work well for you.

By: Mom

Mom — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:29:01 +0000

What do you have to loose-I say go to the dinner and hear what they have to say. Make sure you have dessert…..that will be the best part of the meal…..

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 14:12:19 +0000

Don’t bother going. I used to give those seminars for that terrible company. The seminar wouldn’t be too bad, but for the most part all you’ll be doing is walking through their “Dream Book.” It is more or less a nice piece of marketing material that outlines a lot of important questions you need to ask yourself as you prepare and plan for retirement. It is a fill in the blanks type of book that asks you questions and allows you to write in answers. There isn’t much real information in it.

It will allow you to brainstorm a bit, and really put your dreams out there and get you excited about retirement. Then, when they make it clear that you are nowhere near reaching those goals, you’ll be pressured into meeting with someone and/or get pestered with phone calls.

If I were you, I’d just request a copy of the book on the web site if you’re interested, and leave a phone number you don’t mind being called on, or a fake number so they don’t call you. And you can easily work through the book on your own (which is a relatively nice tool).