I have only 75K in savings (outside of TSP). Financial planner?

[Anonymous]

Is it worth it to get a financial planner if I do noth ave a huge chunk of money to work with? I have a good amount saved for retirement in a federal TSP, but only about 75K (emergency fund) that is ours to play with. Should I just stick the money somewhere and forget it. Or is it more responsible to work with someone to "manage" it and help us with other savings and budgeting goals?

TIA

[Anonymous]

It really depends on your own needs and goals, but I think a financial planner could be very expensive. Perhaps start by taking out some books on personal finance from the library, then consider a financial planner at a later date? Re your current assets, you should consider how much you need to have in a liquid emergency fund (it may be all of the $75k, depending on your expenses), then consider investing the rest in a few good index funds.

[Anonymous]

My advice is to read Money and Kiplinger's and select a fund family (American Funds, T. Rowe Price, Vanguard). Put your excess investable money in the same fund family. As your assets grow, you'll have access to free or minimally expensive financial advice through the mutual fund. That's a more cost effective way to learn.

[Anonymous]

No, A financial planner is going to cost you significant $s.
Start educating yourself. There are many tools available to help you manage your money.

[Anonymous]

Can't you "play with" your TSP, too? Choose different funds, etc.? You can educate yourself on that, as well, but if the amount is substantial, you may want a planner's advice.

If $75K is all you have outside retirement, most of that needs to be liquid for emergencies. So there's not much you can do with it other than make sure it's safe and accessible.

[Anonymous]

Don't do nothing. Go on www.bogleheads.org and read the wiki on financial planning philosophy. It's a quick read and straight forward. Skim the forums on investing, personal finance. 2013 might be a great year for stocks and you don't want to miss it. If you are young you can be all in pretty easily with your TSP at least and some of your emergency fund. You may not need a financial planner yet, you could probably just buy low-cost mutual funds. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Agree with the PP, if it is your emergency fund, you really shouldn't use it for investment. Read Michele Singletary on the post, and I think she has a chat every few weeks so you could ask her.

[Anonymous]

Most credit unions have free financial planners. A CFP recommended that I take this option and it worked very well for me.