LifeDirections Financial Planning

LifeDirections Offers Financial Advice Without Contracts

For comprehensive, cost-effective advice about managing money today, many people are enlisting the services of a fee-only financial planner. Fee-only consultants offer consumers objective financial advice without sales pressure or commissions.

Sherri Joubert is the founder and principal of LifeDirections Financial Planning, an independent firm based in Baton Rouge. Joubert is a member of the Garrett Planning Network, dedicated to providing competent, objective financial advice to people from all walks of life on an hourly, as-needed basis with no long-term contracts.

"When you hire me, I am not going to sell you products to make a commission," says Joubert. "I give objective advice that is suited specifically to your needs. There is no cookie cutter plan. You get an individual plan customized just for you."

Unlike broker/dealers who work on commissions, Joubert is a fiduciary, required by law to provide investment advice in the best interests of her clients. The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) requires brokers to provide "suitable" investments for customers.

That does not necessarily mean they are the best ones, says Joubert. "Whether you pay for a limited or a larger engagement (which I estimate) -- it is up to you. I tailor my advice to what you need. To budget the cost of a financial plan, we can prioritize your needs and separate them into smaller projects. Eventually, we get through everything that needs to be done from cash flow to estate planning."

Joubert says many of her clients have their financial net worth tied up between their house and their employer savings plan. They do not have the extra assets that would require a wealth manager.

"My clients usually have a set of investments through their 401K at work," says Joubert. "They need to know which are the best investments. They want to know when to sell company stock where a company has matched their contributions for the past 30 years, and what they should do with it. That is the kind of advice I give them."

Last year Joubert offered free advice to help her clients in the New Orleans area who were adversely affected by Hurricane Katrina. Joubert notes that most people do not have emergency savings and rely on credit cards in difficult times. "One of the best ways to get out of debt and stay there is to have a liquid savings account with enough money to cover six months of monthly expenses," says Joubert. "First, you need good cash flow management for today. You need to get your spending under control and you need an emergency savings account. Then you start working towards investments for your retirement and planning for your children's education."

Joubert also provides budgeting advice and helps clients set up automatic bill paying. Many people are preoccupied with their careers and do not take the time to pay their bills regularly, and may fall behind on payments. Joubert makes certain all their bills are set up to be paid automatically. As a result, she saves them time, their credit rating goes up, and they avoid late fees.

"What do you really want out of life?" Joubert asks her clients. "You do not need investment advice that is not going to reach your goals, solve your problems or take care of your needs. My clients look at the results and leave here with smiles on their faces and confidence in their hearts."

Reach Sherri Joubert at (225) 937-3598.

Sherri Joubert

(225) 937-3598