WDWWT?

DG1

So, I've been trying for a while to find an actual financial planner (not a salesman) who will help us maximize our miniscule investments.  It's been a challenge, because most CFPs seem to require a minimum investment of ONE MILLION DOLLARS. (for cereal.)

I finally found one who will look at our measly retirement and college savings. 

Problem? He's an evangelical.  Like, wears it on his sleeve, talked it up during our first phone call, there's a whole paragraph about his church in his online bio. 

Now, I get that business is business, and his religious beliefs have no bearing on his abilities as a financial advisor.  But I have qualms about his almost definitely tithing parts of my commissions to the crazy evangelicals. 

It would also be nice to have an actual pseudo-relationship with someone who will be so intimately involved in our finances. At least to the point that we enjoy sitting across a desk from him once or twice a year.  But if I'm spending the whole time screaming in my head "Gah! Read some Richard Dawkins, dude!" then they won't be particularly enjoyable or productive meetings.

So? What say you?  I have a meeting with the guy in a few weeks. I figure I'll meet him and then make a decision.  Our former tax preparer was a big Christian, but I didn't have these issues with her, maybe because we only gave her $80/yr, so I didn't feel like I was making a giant contribution to a cause I didn't believe in.

Butter Cookie

Can't you just explain that you'd rather keep the relationship professional, and that talking about religion isn't professional?

zsazsa-stl

That would give me hesitation, too.  DH and I have been having this argument over him going to a therapist.  All of them around here are affiliated with Christian counseling centers except for the one that I went to that couldn't remember my name, chatted on the phone during our sessions and that told me that maybe I would get pregnant with the help of hypnosis (never mind that my body doesn't work).  I'm also 90% sure that he was high during one session.  So either he goes to that worthless guy, or goes to a place with a cross in the lobby.  We're even Christians that go to church every Sunday, but I understand his hesitation that they will reply to every issue with a call to prayer and Bible reading rather than listening and guiding like a good therapist. 

Sooo...I think it is possible that your meeting could go either way.  He could be completely professional and good to worth with.  Or he could ask you to pray over your checkbook and tell you that if you give money to his church God will bless you with riches. 

If he steps into questions about faith tell him that you are there to discuss money and nothing else.  If he pushes after that, I would walk away.

dharmabunny

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_wdwwt-26?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:47Discussion:cfd87ad1-1cb2-4861-bbfb-315761f3f771Post:0363ba7b-d0be-46c0-9836-22ef67eb4a9c">Re: WDWWT?</a>:
[QUOTE]He could be completely professional and good to worth with.  Or he could ask you to pray over your checkbook and tell you that if you give money to his church God will bless you with riches.  If he steps into questions about faith tell him that you are there to discuss money and nothing else.  If he pushes after that, I would walk away.
Posted by zsazsa-stl[/QUOTE]

Pretty much this.  Next time you meet with financial planner, just be straight about your desire to separate faith and business and that your beliefs don't follow with his.  Or any tithing will be going to the Church of the Adoration of the D's  <img src="http://cdn.cl9.vanillaforums.com/downloaded/ver1.0/content/scripts/tinymce/plugins/emotions/images/smiley-wink.gif" border="0" alt="Wink" title="Wink" />.  I notice in TN that sometimes faith is used as a cornerstone of one's business (like the therapist), or else it's a selling gimmick.  Like, "I'm just like you!!", and it's just the ASSumption that all clients have the same line of faith.

hmonkey

my friends use a faith-based planner.  the only different they say is that the planner has a guarantee, a la "you don't like it, you don't pay." 

6fsn

Give it a try before deciding.  I bet he is tithing the money you spend, but I bet most christians you meet do as well.