Kiplinger Personal Finance, August 2004 – In an article called I Need Affordable Advice, the editors of Kiplinger Personal Finance recommend hiring a planner on an hourly basis. “If you just need a financial adviser to tell you whether your retirement accounts make sense or to give you an unbiased second opinion about your investments, your best bet is to hire someone on an hourly basis or for a set number of meetings. Members of The Garrett Planning Network, a group of 225 financial planners in 40 states, charge an hourly fee to consult on any financial problem. They offer their services on an as-needed basis and don't manage money or require an annual retainer.”