John Dubots, Financial Advisor, on Financial Planning for Middle Class Families

TEMECULA, Calif. - May 29, 2013 - PRLog -- For years, many middle-class families who sought advice on investments or retirement planning had a difficult time finding a financial advisor whose practice suited their needs. With percentage-based fees typically geared toward wealthier clients, these families simply could not afford the guidance they wanted and needed.

In addition to the difficulty many have faced in finding a financial planner, middle class families have always endured challenges which are quite different from the upper class. For one thing, the recession hit them much harder, making retirement planning even more of a challenge. The housing crisis forced many out of their homes or created a situation in which they were “underwater” on their mortgages. Also, since many families do not have pension plans, their need for retirement planning is actually even greater. In short, because middle class families cannot afford to make any mistakes, their need for financial planning is even more critical.

Without adequate guidance, middle-class families – these same families who cannot afford to make mistakes – often stumble into financial blunders. In fact, a 2012 report* by Consumer Federation of America and Primerica found that two-thirds of middle-class families have made a major financial mistake costing between $5,000 and $23,000. This finding underscores the need for middle-class families to find professional guidance to help them with financial planning.

Fortunately, there is an answer for those who require financial planning services, yet cannot afford planners who specialize in wealthier clients. These families often turn to boutique-style services, in which the advisor agrees to meet with these clients for an hourly fee. More advisors, particularly small start-ups and online services, are beginning to offer this type of fee arrangement. It's a small investment in knowledge and expertise, which often turns out to be invaluable for families who otherwise could make serious planning mistakes or even find themselves unable to retire.

*http://www.consumerfed.org/news/594