Q: hey im going to school right now for finance my goal is to become a financial planner can u help me? maybe an internship
marviless - atlanta/events, 17 Oct 2007

A: Hi there. I sure can. Why don't you come by my office for a coffee. I can help point you in the right direction with respect to courses, internships, etc.
pabate - 13 Nov 2007

Q: Hey Paolo, how come you never refer people that are in financial difficulity to one of those non profit credit counselling places?
Carl Bondi - Atlanta/events, 19 Sep 2007

A: Hi Carl, I have never been asked specifically about credit counselling services on this forum before, and hence, have never reffered anyone on this forum to them. I am not a credit conselling specialist, and granted this, have certainly reffered my personal clients to such agencies when such services are required. However, I do have particular expertise in money/expense management and cash flow budgeting both at the personal and commercial level. Being proactive and discussing your personal cash flow situation if you feel you may have a problem, with a financial advisor can, in most cases, prevent you from having to visit a credit counselling agency. If credit counselling can be avoided through the use and execution of a proper cash flow management program put together by you and your financial advisor, take action now before its too late and you are forced into bankruptcy. If you feel you need credit counselling, you can feel free to give me a call or for an overview of credit counselling services, visit the website below: http://www.creditcounsellingcanada.ca/ Hope this helps, Paolo
pabate - 30 Sep 2007

Q: How bad will a foreclosure affect me?
nick - Atlanta/events, 04 Aug 2007

A: A foreclosure will affect you financially. It is a serious financial event in anyone's life and will affect your credit rating. It should be avoided at all costs. Debt consolidation is key. You need to advice of a financial advisor to help you. Considering coming to see me ASAP as we may be able to avoid such an event. Regards, Paolo
pabate - 10 Aug 2007

Q: Hi Paolo, can you tell me about mortgage life insurance and where is the best place to purchase it?
Jessica - Atlanta/events, 19 Jul 2007

A: Hi Jessica, The one critical thing you must remember before you do anything with respect to insurance, especially if it has to do with mortgage life insurance is to NEVER, EVER purchase it from your bank. You always want to deal with an independent financial advisor that is well versed in how mortgage life/disability/critical illness arrangements work. Banks aren't trained, nor licensed at the branch level to provide and structure such arrangements. They will usually try to sell you a product you believe will protect you when you buy your home and arrange a mortgage through them. Be advised, you DO NOT have to purchase such insurance from them, and for a variety of reasons, you wouldn't want to purchase it from them. Aside from the many I can share, the one very important reason you never buy such coverage from the bank is that their products are designed to protect them, the bank, and not you. You or your family get no say on how any resulting money is spent, and you never get back any of the premiums you pay. In addition, everytime you refinance your home coverage gets more expensive as you have to redo it. Getting a standalone product is the best way to go. You can structure stand alone products in a variety of ways, some in which you can also invest through without paying tax on gains and some where you can get back all the premiums you have paid. Email me for more information. Paolo
pabate - 26 Aug 2007

Q: What are the benefits of working with an independent financial organization instead of a bank?
Steven - Atlanta/events, 19 Jul 2007

A: The main benefits essentially revolve around the term 'Independence'. Using an independent advisor means you truly obtain advice that is free of compensation bias. Independence ensures that the product or service that has been recommended has been recommeneded because it is the best course of action and not because it will pay the person who recommended it more than others. Banks only tell you about their own 'in-house' products that help their bottom line more than they help yours. Have you ever visited your bank and have been advised to invest in anything other than their funds? The answer is a resounding NO. This is just one example and goes to show you that you do have options, however, the bank isn't going to tell you about those options because they want your business to stay in the bank. see the following link for a better overview: http://fcfg.firstcanadiancapital.com/our_advisors/ Also, beware of companies claiming to be independent who are not. Ask for disclosure letters from advisors that stipulate who they can do business with and if they have any special deals with mutual fund companies or insurance companies that will influence their advice to you. At the end of the day, there are hundreds of different investment options for your money or insurance needs, why wouldn't you shop around outside the bank? Going straight to a bank to invest your money without looking for other sources of advice is like buying the first house you see for sale.
pabate - 10 Aug 2007

Q: Hi Paolo, I am looking into a mortgage, can you tell me more about mortgage brokers and where the best place is to get a mortgage these days?
John M. - Atlanta/events, 19 Jul 2007