Your first meeting

Your initial consultation with a financial advisor is complimentary. Its an opportunity for you to ask questions, talk informally about your dreams, goals and financial needs, and get to know the advisor.

After your initial consultation, you should have an idea of how a financial advisor can help you, the fees and costs you may pay if you decide to work together, and next steps.

To help prepare for this meeting, you should have a basic idea of your current financial picture and financial goals. Where are you today? What concerns do you have? Where do you want to be in 5, 10 or 25 years? You may also want to fill out and bring our financial confidence quiz to your meeting.

What to think about

• How comfortable or confident are you with your current financial situation. How about the future? What things would you like to change? Where can you use the most help?
• What are your most important financial goals. What do you hope to accomplish financially within the next year or two? The next 5 years? 10 years? 25 years?
• Have you planned for your retirement. If so, how confident are you that youll be able to retire? What concerns do you have?
• What would you like to do when youre retired. What do you most look forward to doing in the future? Who do you want to spend more time with? Where do you dream of going? Where do you see yourself living?
• What level of risk are you most comfortable with? How involved do you like to be in investment decision-making?

• What kind of legacy do you want to leave? How do you want to make your lasting mark?

What youll need

• Questions you may have about your current financial situation
• Account statements, budget information or other areas of your financial picture that you feel deserve immediate attention
• Future dreams and financial goals youd like to achieve, including short- and long-term goals

What to ask the advisor

• How long have you been a financial advisor? Why did you decide to become a financial advisor?
• What do you enjoy most about your work? What do you enjoy doing when youre not working?
• What can you tell me about clients that youve helped?
• What is your fee structure? How do you get compensated?
• How do you typically work with your clients? How often will we meet? What can I expect from you?

This financial planning checklist is a starting point to help you and the financial advisor get to know each other and your financial needs. Ultimately, we encourage you to ask the questions in your initial consultation that are most beneficial to you.

1 Based on the number of financial planning clients SEC-registered investment advisers disclosed annually. Date as of Dec. 31, 2012 available at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov .

2 Source: Company data as of December 31, 2010.

3 Ameriprise Financial Fourth Quarter 2013 Statistical Supplement.

The initial consultation provides an overview of financial planning concepts. You will not receive written analysis and/or recommendations.

Investment advisory products and services are made available through Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. a registered investment adviser.

Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA and SIPC.