He also says that the elderly should be investing more heavily in equities rather than bonds, as most planners advise.

Traditionally, urban planners advise bulldozing eroded neighborhoods and starting from scratch, he said.

The $34,000 should be transferred to four mutual funds, the planner advises.

Because of these changes, financial planners advise taxpayers to pay off or refinance their consumer debt.

Many financial planners are advising investors to start preparing their portfolios for a possible climb in prices.

While most financial planners would advise younger workers to be relatively aggressive in investing, the survey found that the 18-to-25 group was the most conservative.

The planner also advises each store on what and how much to stock.

Indeed, higher savings can even lower risks - if, as planners advise, the investor has a specific goal.

Do not wait until falling behind on payments to broach the subject with the lender, financial planners and others advise.

"In our situation, our financial planner advised us not to do anything, but to just sit tight."