K.Z. asks from Minneapolis, MN on August 07, 2006
Need Financial Advisor Who Will Not Try to Sell Us Products
Hi there,
We're expecting our first child in November and are now experiencing the inevitable "financial freak-out" thinking about how we are going to pay for day care, etc. We've never been particularly good with money and my dh and I frequently disagree about how to best handle it. We have a "financial advisor" from Northwestern Mutual, but I feel like he's more interested in selling us insurance and investment products than helping us develop a day-to-day financial strategy. What we really need is an objective third party who can counsel us about reducing debt, sticking to a budget and developing reasonable savings targets/plans. I thought about a credit counseling service, but I think they are more focused on debt consolidation, which is not necessarily what we need either. Any recommendations in the Minneapolis area?
Thanks!
Featured Answers
J.B. answers from Minneapolis on August 07, 2006
Lisa Brula is very good and helpful.
Leclaire Financial Services Inc
8030 Old Cedar Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425-1213
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B. answers from Minneapolis on August 07, 2006
My husband and I developed our own plan that works for us using a book titled, All Your Worth, The Ultimate Lifetime Money Plan, by Elizabeth Warren and Amelia Warren Tyagi. My husband never even read the book. I read it and outlined it for him, then we did the worksheets, set our priorities and set a plan that we are both able to stick to. I checked it out from the library. Nothing like free advice as long as it is good.
L. answers from Minneapolis on August 08, 2006
L.K. answers from Minneapolis on August 08, 2006
Hi K.!
Check our Dave Ramseys book "Total Money Makeover". (There is also a website that is not nearly as helpful as the book www.totalmoneymakeover.com). It really helped me put together a budget and savings plan. I'm well on my way to becoming debt free and happily living on a realistic budget.
L.
T.H. answers from Duluth on August 07, 2006
My husband and I have gone to this woman for 2 years. She is very professional, down to earth, and has a mind for detail. She also has a sense of humor, which makes the meetings with her that much more palatable! :-) She has recommended to us some products that are not from her company, which have saved us hundreds so far this year, making her fee seem very reasonable. We would highly recommend her - good luck!
Elizabeth Owens
Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc
Suite 300
900 Long Lake Road
New Brighton, MN 55112
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____@____.com
S.F. answers from Minneapolis on August 07, 2006
HI K.!
Here's someone that has come highly recommended to me by my parents:
Buzz Moen
Creative Financial
7900 Xerxes Ave
Bloomington, MN 55431
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I have not personally worked with this man but my parents have and I have spoken to him briefly. My parents said he really helped them out a lot with pretty much the same thing you're talking about. My father is in the financial services industry and said Buzz is very well respected. Good Luck!
K.B. answers from Minneapolis on August 08, 2006
K.,
I see you got a lot of responses,but I have to recommend mine. His name is Christopher Pancratz. He is very kind, and very understanding. Just telll him what you want and he'll honor that. when my dad died, he helped us with what to do with the life insurance money without being pressuring and was okay with my crying in front of him (if that matters to you, it does to me, as I cry a lot).
Christopher Pankratz, CFP
Financial Dimensions Group, Inc
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____@____.com
C.B. answers from Minneapolis on August 08, 2006
I was really happy with Lutheran Social Services. While they do have programs to consolidate debt, they educate you on how to reduce debt, stick to a budget how to save and what to save. (They are a non-profit company)
Some books I have read that have really helped me were written by SUZE ORMAN, DAVE RAMSEY.. and a book called DEBT FREE AND PROSPEROUS LIVING.
DAVE RAMSEY would be especially helpful for your situation. I would highly reccommend reading his book with your husband!
J.B. answers from Minneapolis on August 07, 2006
Lisa Brula is very good and helpful.
Leclaire Financial Services Inc
8030 Old Cedar Ave S
Bloomington, MN 55425-1213
###-###-####
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