 TITLE: Do I Need a Financial Planner? CONTENT: When Is a Financial Planner a Good Idea?\n----------------------------------------\nYou don't have to hire a CFP to handle your financial planning. But you could benefit from the assistance of a licensed professional if you:\n*   Want to get a handle on your finances but don't know where to start.\n*   Need a detailed but realistic financial plan that's easy to follow.\n*   Need general assistance with investment, retirement, tax, estate, insurance or education planning.\n*   Got a big raise at work and aren't sure where to invest the extra funds.\n*   Recently experienced a major life event, like getting a divorce, having a new baby or receiving an inheritance.\n*   Want to minimize your tax liability.\n*   Want to lower your investment risk and yield greater returns.\n*   Have minimal time in your schedule to handle your own financial planning.\nHowever, you may want to hold off on hiring a financial planner if:\n*   You are worried about the cost of services. Are you having trouble making ends meet or burdened by your debt? It may be best to get a handle on your budget, start saving money and create a plan to get out of debt before you hire a financial planner. A credit counselor can help you create a plan to get financially stable.\n*   You already have a financial plan that is working well. If your plan is running smoothly, and you're well-equipped to make adjustments as needed, a financial planner may not be necessary. END