To resolve the debt drama, in comes the Gang of 12, aka the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction. Their difficult job is to do what all Congress' horses and all Congress' men (and women) could not: Put the U.S. fiscal situation back together again.

Even this congressional deus ex machina may need, however, another "dues." I would suggest a CFP® professional participate in the talks, equipped with the six-step financial planning process and our code of ethics. Just imagine how the talks might go if, for instance, the gang started with goals before strategies, and if all the participants agreed to put the interests of their clients - the American public - first. Read more >

Financial Planning
Eleanor Blayney, CFP®, CFP Board Consumer Advocate
September 1, 2011