What I'm saying is that even "inexpensive" fee-only advisors, as Patrick is suggesting to, are closer to $1-2k/year not $150. I said nothing about the relative

What I'm saying is that even "inexpensive" fee-only advisors, as Patrick is suggesting to, are closer to $1-2k/year not $150. I said nothing about the relative value of a 2 hour meeting with a financial planner, I am only stating the fact that you are unlikely to find any "fee-only" planner who will work with you for $150. I'd be happy to be proven wrong by someone who is actually doing it. As my own counter example I know someone who did exactly as you suggested. A one time meeting with an advisor to review his portfolio and asset allocation but invests for himself online. It took about 2 hours and cost $500 and didn't include any detailed financial planning (e.g., taxes, retirement projections, etc.) it was simply a portfolio review. So even using the lowest and simplest example I could find the cost is much higher than suggested. Additionally, I was also told this advisor was fairly reluctant to even offer this. This, generally speaking, just isn't their model. Even in the fee-only market they are typically looking to work with people on an ongoing basis, not one off. As a more general example, in Canada some people work with "money coaches" who focus more on financial planning, saving habits, debt consolidation, retirement income planning, etc. They charge around $1-2k for a four meeting package. My understanding is that these prices are similar in the US but I could be wrong. The bottom line here is that I'm just not aware of a market of financial advisors charging one time fees anywhere near $150. That's just how it is. >> I get the sense that there are many in this thread who are either in the industry... I suppose finance must be the one industry where people outside of it know much more than those in it.