I agree with the Dave Ramsey book and classes. You can take one of the Dave Ramsey classes for much less than seeing a CFP and you will probably achieve better results. The class has accountability in a group setting, and is sustained over a number of weeks. It's whole point is to teach good habits. After you take the class and have a small emergency fund and are paying off your debt, then I'd suggest going to a CFP to get advice on investing and balancing goals (e.g., college savings, retirement, etc.)

Anonymous wrote:I didn't realize being a republican was now a qualification for the CFA.

See, OP? This is why you need to talk to these CFA's before you hire them. Any kind of riff-raff could be one.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.

Do NOT ask the people at this site for advice. You're right in seeking a professional that you can interview and learn about their background. There's way too many Democrats/liberals/progressives at this site, and they have trouble tying their shoes, much less handling finances.

I didn't realize being a republican was now a qualification for the CFA.

Right? I better call the Institute so they can revoke my charter.

Anonymous wrote:Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.

Try Dave Ramsay's Total Money Makeover Forums. They're chock full of people who were once horrible about managing money but have followed his principles and are now paying down a lot of debt.

https://www.mytotalmoneymakeover.com/modules/fusetalk3/forum/categories.cfm?catid=9&entercat=y

Just stop before you get to his investment advice, that's terrible. But his Baby Steps are a good approach for overwhelmed people in debt.

Do you belong to a credit union? They often offer this service.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.

Do NOT ask the people at this site for advice. You're right in seeking a professional that you can interview and learn about their background. There's way too many Democrats/liberals/progressives at this site, and they have trouble tying their shoes, much less handling finances.

I didn't realize being a republican was now a qualification for the CFA.

Meh, I'm a CFA with a top 3 MBA graduated in the top 2% of my class. I think there are many like me on DCUM who can provide guidance, but that's up to you.

If you can get over to Rockville, we like:

http://www.schaefferfinancial.com/

We see Rick Shaeffer. The firm is fee based. Rick is very nonjudgemental, but communicative of what he thinks the right thing to do is. We have not used him for debt-related issues, but if I had such problems, I would go to him. You can ask them in advance what their fees are, so you know going in what the damage will be.

Totally agree that you should not get financial advise from DCUM!! Good luck!!

Anonymous wrote:Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.

Do NOT ask the people at this site for advice. You're right in seeking a professional that you can interview and learn about their background. There's way too many Democrats/liberals/progressives at this site, and they have trouble tying their shoes, much less handling finances.

I was once in substantial debt and clueless as to plan of attack. I also wanted someone to help me solve the problem but just couldn't stomach spending more money to do it. See if people here can help, and there are also a multitude of online resources about this.

Agree with PP - a FA will charge $, which it seems you have a deficit of. Try here first.

Anonymous wrote:Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.

Post your budget here. Well do it for you. We need debt $, interest rates and term length, plus a detailed budget.

Please offer recommendations for a fee-only financial planner in the Arlington or DC area. We are in debt and clueless how to dig ourselves out of the hole. We're hoping to find someone who will start with the basics and teach us how to manage our money. Thanks in advance.