Anyone here use a personal trainer, financial advisor, etc?

[OC]

I'm looking to revamp my life. The whole damn thing. Well, nearly the whole damn thing. The problem is, there's a lot to do, and I don't have the time or motivation to become and expert in EVERYTHING I want to change. So...

I'm looking for your experiences with financial advisors, fitness trainers - that kind of thing. When you started using them, did you really find them helpful?

tia

-OC

[mcs328]

My brother hired a personal trainer at the local gym. Before he was a member but hardly went. Well when you're paying money you better get your money's worth. He's been doing it for over a year and some friends have noticed he has muscle now.

[dbax791]

Originally posted by overclocked


I'm looking for your experiences with financial advisors

-OC

Be very careful. "Financial Advisor" is often a term for people looking to make a commission off your investments.

I'm not a financial advisor, but I play one on the net.

1) Don't rent. Save some $$$ for a down payment and own your own property. You get a nice tax break, build equity, and its comes out cheaper than renting. A small house with land property will appreciate in value much more than a condo.

2) Deduct savings directly out of your paycheck into your 401K, and into your immediate need savings account. The 401K is tax-free money for now. Put at least 10%, or the max you can afford into this. Your savings account is "go-to-hell" money in case you ever come between jobs.

3) Live beneath your means. Don't live paycheck to paycheck. Pretend you make only like 75% of what you do and save the rest.

....

Oh and I'll be your personal trainer too...

1) Get off your lazy ass and go work out!!!

[Leon]

I hired a personal trainer for 18 sessions. Went from 190 lbs to 178 lbs. Well worth the money if you need the motivation.

[Ladogaboy]

I'd never hire a physical trainer, but some people might benefit. IMO, though, a physical trainer loses their value after the first few months, unless, of course, you need them for motivational purposes. Everything you need to know from them about working out will have been learned in the first month.

The biggest thing I would look out for, however, is that they are setting you up with a program that is best suited to your needs. There are a myriad of ways to work out depending on your goals. Just make sure that you two are on the same page.

[sizemic1]

don't get roped into a contract at the gym (unless you're already on one).