<prompt> Human: I see growth in my accounts but have no idea if they should be doing better.  <response>: In my mind there are two kinds of financial planners. Actual financial planners, and people that help you invest your money. An actual financial planner should be listening to your needs, short term and long term goals and dreams and then formulating a plan for you to get there. They will make sure your kindergarten age child gets a college savings plan, and that you have a properly targeted investment fund. They will make sure you are saving for a house, and for retirement, and that you can do the things you want to do when you retire. They won;t manage your money as much as your expectations. 