Recently I came across an article in the New York Times blogs section by Andrew Ross Sorkin that once again underscores the scary situation that many consumers of financial services face.  As I have mentioned here on several occasions, it’s important to know the source of any “advice” you might receive.

So, how are you doing on those New Year’s Resolutions?  Regretting the commitment to get some financial advice and change your spending habits?  Join the rapidly disappearing crowd outside my door.  Full of resolve in January, we often revert back to our oldhabits by Feb.1.  So I’ve been thinking about this lately.  Over the years I have talked to countless people who have come to me for financial advice when what they really needed was some therapy.  Feeling good about your relationship with money has to be one of  the …

The media is full of stories about investment fraud and sales abuse. Wells Fargo was sued by the State of California for selling investments that were not as safe as reported. Bank of America was sued for involvement in a Ponzi scheme. Ameriprise paid a fine for selling products unsuited to clients retirement accounts. And [...]

Congress is reportedly attempting to improve the safeguards for the investing public. Sweeping financial services reform legislation was approved last week in the House of Representatives. But there were some evidently last minute changes inserted into the bill by lobbyists to benefit big Wall Street Broker Dealers such as Charles Schwab.
Registered Investment Advisors give investment [...]

There is a free offer that everyone should know about. The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors is providing free monthly educational presentations about personal finance to the public. “The Basics of Investments” is the next presentation and will be on December 4th from 10 to 11 am. Future topics include: [...]

If you ever wished you could be a fly on the wall at a financial planners’ conference, here’s your big chance! Alternatively, if that sounds about as appealing to you as watching paint dry, this “Reader’s Digest version” might be just what you’re looking for.[...]