You can't have a financial plan without financial planning, but you don't need a comprehensive written plan to benefit from ongoing financial advice. Do you need a financial plan? Maybe not. A full ...

Finding an advisor you like is one thing. Working with that person to achieve your financial goals requires a clear agreement that outlines the roles, responsibilities and expectations incumbent upon ...

There was a time when Mark Felton put together a financial plan the old-fashioned way: With spreadsheets. The 59-year-old ...

As many employees are now tasked with managing their own money both before and after retirement, a growing number of families and retirees need financial planners to help them to make important ...

You may hear the term "financial plan" and imagine thousands of dollars spent and hours in a stuffy broker office discussing the benefits of a diversified portfolio. Or maybe you think financial plans ...

I was meeting a dear friend for coffee one morning a few months ago. She had suggested a spot equidistant to our two houses, telling me that she used an online tool to ensure that neither of us had to ...

Understand the fundamentals of financial planning, including goal setting, budgeting, investing and risk management to take control of your financial future Written By Written by Staff Senior Editor, ...

What a one-time financial plan is and is not Let’s first discuss the purpose of a one-time financial plan and its benefits. At its core, a one-time financial plan is intended to provide a detailed ...

After you hire an accounting firm to prepare your tax returns, it's hard to know whether they did a good job. You pay for professional expertise and hope you get what you pay for. That's true when you ...

Ask financial advisors if business planning is important, and most will say, “yes, of course.” Then ask if they have a business plan. If they do, ask whether they refer to it frequently and use it to ...

Vikki Velasquez is a researcher and writer who has managed, coordinated, and directed various community and nonprofit organizations. She has conducted in-depth research on social and economic issues ...

From wills and trusts to estate tax planning, discover how financial advisors protect wealth and guide families in building a lasting legacy Written By Written by Staff Money Writer, WSJ | Buy Side ...