2007 Press Coverage / Media Interest

TODAY Show, December 24, 2007 – On the Christmas Eve episode of the TODAY Show, Vera Gibbons provided last minute money gift ideas, one of which was a gift certificate of fee-only financial planning services from the Garrett Planning Network. Gift certificates may be purchased for a specific dollar amount to be redeemed with any Garrett Planning Network member across the USA. Recipients simply present their gift certificates to the Garrett member of their choice to get their New Year off to a fiscally responsible start. Read “Common cents: Last-minute money gifts” on the MSNBC website for more details.

MarketWatch, December 23, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, provided her input on market timing in “With stocks, timing is not everything.” "We can't time the market, and we can't afford not to be in the market," said Garrett.

MarketWatch, December 11, 2007 – In “Roth IRAs: Good for you or not,” advisors debated on whether or not Roth IRAs are the right move for many investors. Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Network commented on the tax diversification benefits of contributing to your 401(k) plan in addition to a Roth IRA.

San Francisco Chronicle, December 2, 2007 – When Sheryl Garrett, Founder of the Garrett Planning Network, was in San Francisco promoting her new book, “Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies®,” she was interviewed for an article called “Choosing a financial adviser.” The article provided background on how financial planning services are offered through the Garrett Planning Network as well as Garrett’s recommendations on personal finance books, great websites and more.

Santa Cruz Sentinel, November 25, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Network, was profiled in “Financial planner Sheryl Garrett to offer free advice.” She discussed the fee-only, hourly business model as well as answered questions on personal finance and her new book, “Personal Finance Workbook For Dummies®.”

Boston Globe, November 22, 2007 – The Garrett Planning Network was referenced in “Here are some guidelines to help you find competent financial advice” as a resource for financial planners who charge by the hour.

Seattle Times, November 19, 2007 – In “Save your wallet from a holiday hangover,” Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, said that advance planning and a bit of creativity can help you avoid that nasty debt-ache that comes around after the holidays. Tip #1 is Be a Smart Santa. Making the list of family members and friends who rate gifts is easy. It's the unexpected extras that trip us up, Garrett said. "Just like Santa, you've got to make a list and check it twice, and then stick to it," says Garrett.

Newsday, November 9, 2007 – In “Where to turn for financial advice,” the Garrett Planning Network is recommended as a good place to look for a financial adviser who serves middle class clients. They're listed geographically and by types of expertise at http://www.garrettplanningnetwork.com.

San Luis Obispo Tribune, October 29, 2007 – An article titled "The last word on money. Your money” provided four tips for getting a grip on your financial life. Tip #2 was to know what motivates the people who advise you. Most people in the financial services industry work on commission, which can have an impact on which products they’ll steer you toward. The article goes on to say that you can avoid this by working with a fee-only financial planner, preferably one whose bill isn’t based on a percentage of your assets. A growing number of planners charge by the hour, including those with the Garrett Planning Network.

Los Angeles Times, October 28, 2007 – Personal Finance Writer Liz Pulliam Weston recommends seeking out a fee-only planner for a review of your financial situation and solid advice about what to do next in your retirement plan. Weston suggests NAPFA or the Garrett Planning Network for a referral.

Los Angeles Times, October 7, 2007 – In response to a question regarding a family member in financial trouble, Liz Pulliam Weston recommends considering a fee-only financial planner (from the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors or the Garrett Planning Network) who can educate the family member in the area of personal finances.

AARP Bulletin, October 2007 – Tip #5 in “Money for Life: Retirement Planner 2007” recommends visiting a financial planner who can tell you where you stand with your retirement plan. Two places to look: http://www.garrettplanningnetwork.com and http://www.napfa.org.

Money Magazine, October 2007 – The only way a commissioned adviser can help you is by selling something, writes George Mannes in his article titled, "Inside the Mind of Your Adviser." The Garrett Planning Network website is noted as an online resource for finding a pro who works for a fee, not commissions.

Inside Information, October 2007 – While everybody else defines middle market planning by net worth, the Garrett Network planners have been pioneering a universal access model, writes Bob Veres in “Planning for Everybody.” By charging by the hour, Garrett financial advisors can make their services accessible to anyone, regardless of net worth. “Our network is proud to work with regular folk, because that is what this country is made of, for the most part,” says Garrett.

Newsweek, September 24, 2007 – In "Early Retirement: Start Planning Now," Jane Bryant Quinn, personal finance writer, suggests looking for fee-only planners who charge just for their services and advice. They'll help you set goals, forecast your income and expenses, decide whether to sell your house, plan for long-term care and choose suitable, low-cost investments. Two places to look for fee-only planners: www.GarrettPlanningNetwork.com and www.NAPFA.org.

USA Today, September 24, 2007 – Several financial experts were asked to reveal their most regrettable financial decisions in "Pros fess up to their retirement-building blunders." Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Planning Network fesses up that her biggest mistake was investing in timeshares. When asked what she would have done differently she said, "The only thing that I can do, and I finally learned this about myself, is I don't put myself in a situation where somebody is going to make a sales pitch to me unless it's something I already want to own.

Morningstar.com, September 20, 2007 – The Garrett Planning Network is suggested as a good source for hourly, fee-only financial planners in “How to Choose a Financial Planner.”

Minneapolis Star Tribune, September 13, 2007 – A 26 year old is advised on steps to begin getting his financial house in order. He is also encouraged to consider hiring a fee-only adviser who can review his homemade financial plan and tell him what he’s missed. The Garrett Planning Network is suggested as a network of fee-only financial planners who can charge you by the hour to validate your plan. Click here to read the article.

SmartMoney.com, September 7, 2007 – “Retiring on Your Home's Equity” discusses how, in the current real estate market, it’s getting harder to downsize in retirement and live off your old home’s equity. That's not to say that downsizing is impossible, but you'll have to compromise on the location and amenities, Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network says. At a recent workshop, a 62-year-old woman asked her how best to retire on her $150,000 401(k) balance and the $600,000 equity in her San Diego home. "I rubbed my chin like I was thinking very hard and said: 'Move to Kansas,'" Garrett says. "After everyone stopped giggling, I told them I actually meant that seriously."

CNNMoney.com, August 28, 2007 – Jean Chatzky, Money Magazine editor at large, recommends giving the gift of time with a financial planner in “A gift that will help your kids grow rich.” Chatzky recommends the Garrett Planning Network as one of three ways to find a financial advisor.

Los Angeles Times, August 26, 2007 – Personal Finance Writer Liz Pulliam Weston once again recommends the Garrett Planning Network as a resource for fee-only financial planners in “Adding user to card may not matter.”

BusinessWeek, August 24, 2007 – “Avoiding a Mortgage Meltdown” suggests checking out check out the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors and the Garrett Planning Network for a financial advisor who can help you make financial decisions regarding your mortgage, investment portfolio and more.

Washington Post, August 23, 2007 – Syndicated Columnist Michelle Singletary interviewed Sheryl Garrett, CFP® for an article titled “Laid Off? Cut Back and Get Back Out There.” If you suspect you may be laid off, this might be the time to line up a home equity line of credit, says Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, a network of fee-only financial advisers. "But this goes with a big warning," Garrett said. "Do not use this unless it is absolutely necessary. Do not spend this money on anything that can be postponed."

MarketWatch, August 8, 2007 – "A false sense of security" discusses the precautions to take when investing in lifecycle or target-date funds. Something to watch out for is the concept of investing and forgetting about it, said Sheryl Garrett, author of the book "Garrett's Guide to Financial Planning" (NUCO Publishing, Revised June 2007) and founder of the Garrett Network. "Nobody should invest in anything and forget about it," she said. "These target strategies do transfer the re-allocation work to the fund manager; but that re-allocation will not include how the individual's other investments are positioned."

AdvisorMax.com, August 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, answered questions about becoming a fee-only financial planner in an AdvisorMax expert forum called “Untapped Markets: Building Your Business with an Hourly Model.” ”There's an enormous sector of the population—I would say, 80% of the people out there—that just need periodic advice,” says Garrett. “These folks don't know where to turn. They are well-served by the hourly planning model. So, if you're looking for less competition and the opportunity to help a lot of people, this is an area to explore.”

Wall Street Journal, July 26, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Network, looks at and comments on four retirement Web tools in "Calculating Your Retirement Nestegg."

The Star-Ledger, June 27, 2007 – Hourly rates vary, but expect to pay $150 to $300 per hour for basic financial planning. "Ask the Biz Brain" lists the Garrett Planning Network as a place to go for financial planners who charge by the hour.

Wall Street Journal, June 17, 2007 – Read "OK, I Admit It. I Need Some Help.," for tips on why you should see a pro and how to choose one. The Garrett Planning Network is referenced as a place to find fee-only financial planners in your area.

Money Magazine, June 2007 – The Garrett Planning Network is suggested as a resource to find financial planners in an article titled "Goal: Building wealth; Best reality check: Eight hours with a financial planner."

Chicago Tribune, June 17, 2007 – While young couples may have decades for trial and error, the stakes are higher for those in or near retirement that are planning to marry, writes Janet Kidd Stewart. All told, the hassles involved with getting married later in life in many cases aren't worth the trouble unless you have personal convictions about marriage that outweigh the financial, said Sheryl Garrett, Garrett Network founder and author of "Money Without Matrimony: The Unmarried Couple's Guide to Financial Security." "Younger people are typically better off financially getting married,'' she said, "but the older you get, the less it makes sense." Read "Stakes high for older newlyweds" to learn about the issues that older couples planning to walk down the aisle should talk about.

Wall Street Journal, June 10, 2007 – In "Before the Vacation Home – Think," Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Planning Network provides items to consider before jumping into a vacation home purchase. Often, when costs including taxes, insurance and utilities are factored into keeping a vacation home, families are better off simply renting a home for vacation instead, says Garrett.

Los Angeles Times, June 10, 2007 – "Cut into costs, not your 401(k)" describes the difference between fee-based and fee-only financial advisors and how they work. The Garrett Planning Network is referenced as a place to find fee-only advisors who are willing to work by the hour.

Bloomberg, June 4, 2007 – In "Company Stock in 401(k) Plans Can Be Damaging," Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, founder of the Garrett Planning Network addressed the issue of employees feeling that selling company stock in their 401(k) would show disloyalty to their employer. "The Enron collapse woke most people up,'' says Garrett. "No amount of kissing up to your employer is worth your financial future.''

MSNBC, June 3, 2007 – From funds to savings accounts, fees and other charges are a fact of life. In "Investing on the Cheap," one suggestion to lighten the load is to seek professional help from a financial planner. The Garrett Planning Network provides a questionnaire to submit to candidates that enables you to compare and better gauge the services you're buying. Click here to access the questionnaire.

Boston Globe, June 1, 2007 – In "Changing rules may mean it's time for a heart-to-heart with your adviser," the closing line of the article suggests some may be better off working with an hourly planner and the Garrett Network is included as a resource.

Yahoo! Finance, May 31, 2007 – Laura Rowley, the writer of "Getting in Touch with Your Money Style" recommends a fee-only financial planner to help you prioritize your dreams, put your money where your values are and lay the groundwork to achieve them. Rowley also recommends the Garrett Planning Network as a resource for fee-only planners who charge by the hour.

CNN Money, May 22, 2007 – The Garrett Planning Network was recommended as a place to find a financial planner in "When you need a financial planner."

Wall Street Journal, May 19, 2007 – The writer of "A Retiree Searches for Honest Financial Advice," advises readers to consider hiring a fee-only financial planner – someone who is paid for his or her advice instead of someone who is compensated by making trades in investments or by receiving commissions for selling financial products. One of her recommendations for a fee-only planner was the Garrett Planning Network.

Motley Fool, May 5, 2007 – One of the gifts suggested in "5 Great Gifts for Grads and Newlyweds" is a gift of time with a fee-only financial planner. The Garrett Planning Network was a recommended resource for finding independent financial advisors who offer as-needed financial planning services with no minimum income or asset requirements.

CNN Money, May 2007 – With a handful of broad goals in mind, Money Magazine gave their top picks on what to do with five grand in "Where to put $5,000 now." One suggestion was to hire a fee-only financial planner who charges by the hour, not by the investments you buy. The Garrett Network website was recommended as a place to locate one of these planners.

Baltimore Sun, April 24, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett's "On the Road: Starting Out" and "On the Road: Getting Married" were recommended as wedding gifts in "A gift of financial counsel."

Lincoln Journal Star, April 22, 2007 – Click here to read an article regarding the Garrett Planning Network announcing its first Nebraska member.

NAPFA Magazine, April 2007 – Read "So You Wanna Write a Book?" for tips on how to write and network your way to success. "Don't go in it trying to be a writer," says Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, author of "Garrett's Guide to Financial Planning" and "Money Without Matrimony." "Writers make their money writing. Being an author is a totally different matter."

Virginian Pilot, April 2, 2007 – The average tax refund is up to $2,548 this year, according to the IRS. But think carefully before you blow it on a new flat panel HDTV with incredible picture quality, writes the author of "Ways to invest tax refund." "It may be less exciting on game day, but it would be vastly better for your financial health to boost long-term savings or pay down debt," says Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, a group of financial advisors that offers hourly, as-needed planning help.

Horsesmouth, April, 2007 – The Garrett Planning Network was profiled in an article regarding the fast-growing hourly financial planning approach. Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Network, was also a guest expert for an online discussion regarding financial planning by the hour.

Financial Planning magazine, March 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, Marie Swift, Carol Anderson and Susan Galvan – founders of a think-tank dubbed the Lifework$ Collective – co-authored a special article called “The Client-Centered Advisor.” Due to space constraints, the published article was edited to fit; however, the full manuscript (in the form of a White Paper) is available at http://www.lifeworkscollective.org. Visit the site to learn “what matters most” according to four of the industry’s most prominent thought-leaders.

Wealth Manager, February 2007 – As one of nine experts interviewed, Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, provided her input on whether a new generation is prepared for the retirement journey. Read "Ready–or Not" to learn about the changing face of retirement.

Orlando Sun-Sentinel, January 28, 2007 – For questions you should ask when interviewing financial planners, read "Invest time in money planner." Sheryl Garrett, founder of the Garrett Planning Network, provided the questions in this article as well as points to consider when choosing a financial planner.

Kiplinger's Personal Finance, January 2007 – "Life-Changing Legacy" discusses steps to take to make the most of your inheritance. The Garrett Planning Network is listed as a resource for financial planners who can provide guidance regarding inheritances.

Minneapolis Star Tribune, January 20, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett says you needn't be a millionaire to have a financial adviser. But you must be willing to pay for one.
For an accessible option, read "You can pay for advice as you go" for a profile of how Garrett Planning Network Members operate their practices.

Chicago Tribune, January 14, 2007 – Sheryl Garrett, CFP®, provided advice on life insurance needs in "Take steps to get finances in shape." Garrett suggests that if one parent is staying home with a child, term life insurance should be adequate to cover child-care expenses and household debts while the surviving parent works. That might be about $250,000 in coverage, she says.

Indianapolis Star, January 5, 2007 – Members of the Financial Planning Association of Greater Indiana Chapter suggested a list of top financial books in "What financial advice books do you recommend?" "Just Give Me the Answers$: Expert Advisors Address Your Most Pressing Financial Questions" by Sheryl Garrett with Marie Swift and the Garrett Planning Network was one of the books recognized in this list.