A while back, I needed minor surgery. I needed a surgeon, so I called a client who is a physician and asked him who I should see. He referred me to someone he thought would be just right for the job.

I went to see her, and everything was just as I expected. She told me what I needed to have done, we scheduled the surgery, and it was done.

At no time during the process did I feel the need to research or check her recommendation, nor did I think it might be a good idea to do it all on my own. I was referred to her by someone that I trust, and she was a doctor.

Maybe I should have gotten a second opinion, but the reality is I just didn’t feel the need, I trust this doctor. She was creditable in my mind.

Looking back, I think a few things had to happen in order for this to happen:

[1] I was referred by someone that I trusted.

[2] My experience with the surgeon was what I expected (e.g., clean, professional, etc).

[3] Nothing in the entire experience caused me to wonder if my trust was misplaced.

[4] I was convinced that I shouldn’t do the surgery myself. I suppose I could have, but that might have hurt.

NOW, I realize that there are some HUGE problems with this analogy based on the experience that most people have had with someone in the financial industry. That is something that the real financial planning industry is going to have to deal with, BUT it doesn’t change the fact that REAL planners DO exist.

There are REAL financial planners that view this as a profession, have years of experience, and can actually be trusted to treat your money as a prudent, skilled, trusted professional should. It’s time that YOU find one.

I have said this before, and I always get asked for guidance on how to find one, this is where things get tough. I wish there was a simple check list that would lead you to a planner that you could trust was competent and worthy of your trust, but I have not found one.

Here is what I would do:

[1] Ask everyone I know if they have a planner that they trust. Keep asking. It might take a while, but hopefully you know someone that feels like they can recommend their planner. Ask your family, friends, CPA, and attorney.

[2] Go meet with the planner. Take the questions from the SEC or the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards.

[3] Trust but verify: One of the big lessons of the past few years is that we need to be careful. There are things you can and should do to protect yourself (I think that is covered by the SEC and CFP Board).

If you can’t find anyone that you can trust, keep looking until you do.

If you never find someone you trust, be careful not to hurt yourself.