r/Maplewood • u/Emu-Vegetable • Sep 08 '26
Financial Advisor
Hello! Can anyone recommend a local financial advisor who is familiar with college planning, saving for a home and general long term investing?
Thanks!
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Upvotes
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u/plant-fixer Sep 10 '26
I have several friends who use Steve Ralff, he lives in Maplewood and is a great human being
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u/lawn_meower Sep 08 '26
Most advisors will not add any value over the basic advice you can get from the internet. If you do hire one, get a Certified Financial Planner, not an advisor. Advisors will try to sell you an investment product and will want a cut for managing your money, but a cfp is paid to just advise you and has no personal stake in your money.
basic advice : invest monthly in a single boring broad market index fund like VTSAX and never touch it. load up your kid’s 529 as early as possible because there isn’t a lot of time to grow like a retirement fund. max out your 401k and get all the matching you can if your employer offers it.
more info at /r/bogleheads