richclar wrote:
<<Who is a good fee-based CFP in the Tidewater, Richmond, Va area?>>

richclar,

As I understand it, the whole point of Fooldom is to provide an environment where we can learn how to take charge of our own portfolios. TMF attracts the kind of investor who isn't willing to fork over hard-earned cash to let someone else plot our financial future or make investment decisions for us. Thus, you may have a hard time finding the kind of recommendation you seek from anyone on these boards.

You might be interested in hopping over to the Cash-King board to follow a thread begun on 1/28/98 titled "Stocks? CFP says NO!". There is an especially good response from Oak on the Foolish attitute toward paid financial planners.

Just to add my own 2-cents, you should bear in mind that the financial planning industry is still entirely unregulated and therefore populated by just as many scammers as the home improvement and auto repair industries. You have the right idea in looking for personal referrals, I just think your looking in the wrong place.

Also keep in mind that just because a planner is fee-only vice commission, it doesn't guarantee they'll have your best interest at heart. Anyone can pay a few bucks to take a course, get a few initials to hang after their name, and call themselves a professional planner. If you haven't done so already, be sure to look up the article in Jan 98 Consumer Reports titled "Financial Fixers & Fakers". They also list some phone numbers & web sites for referrals.

You might also give AAII a try. Their website is at www.aaii.com. There are two chapters in Virginia: Hampton Roads and Richmond.

Finally, you should walk, drive, or click over to your favorite bookseller. Even if you're hellbent on hiring a planner, you should still read The Motley Fool Investment Guide, You Have More Than You Think, and the Motley Fool Investment Workbook. Who knows; after reading them (and hopefully a few other books, too), you might find that you don't really need to hire a pro after all. At the very least you'll be better prepared to evaluate any advice your planner provides you. Good luck!

Cheers,
Harry A.
Your Foolish neighbor in Chesapeake