Advice on finding a "green" CFP, please.

[Mnemosyne]

I am so ignorant of these things and have a moderate inheritance coming soon. I completely screwed up the first amount I received and really need help as this money will have to last me the rest of my life. I am 53 and disabled.

I only wish to deal with someone that specializes in green investments. I was ashamed to see the stocks my parents owned.

Thanks for any advice on finding someone I can trust.

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Well, there probably isn't a list of those types you can refer to.

It's going to take some legwork.

If all you want to do is invest in "green" companies, there are numerous Mutual Fund companies that specialize in such things as well as easily accessible websites dedicated to providing information on such investing (just Google "Green investing").

If you are indeed looking for a CFP or "Certified Financial Planner" that specializes in such things, you are going to have to call around.

No CFP or broker of any kind can place your money into investments you do not agree with. It is just that you have to be willing to read the information provided and/or ask a LOT of questions.

Any CFP can be the person you seek, so long as you give them specific instructions on how to manage your money.

[elleng]

2. Don't know but, at the moment, I'd park it (temporarily) in interest-bearing savings

or Treasuries; markets highly unpredictable at the moment. I'm sure others here can help.

[CountAllVotes]

3. I was going to invest in some stocks

They were mutual funds and I read the prospectus and it had money invested in Monsanto, Halliburton, etc. etc.

It sickened me and I couldn't do it. I doubt I'd have made any money anyway given the way the market has been.

I'm holding in CDs and I-bonds still. The I-bonds are old ones and they are paying a lot. New ones being issued now are at 4.6% for the first 6-months and they'll reset to likely a lower amount. The good thing about I-bonds is that they are tax-deferred and state tax exempt. However, you can buy $10,000.00 worth of them a year - $5,000.00 paper (soon to go away) and $5,000.00 electronic.

If you find any decent half-way moral investments let us know.

I can't stomach the idea of giving a cent to the likes of Exxon or BP ... these are two other companies (along with most other oil companies) that are in mutual fund portfolios. I have found it impossible to find something without some sort of real horrible stuff in the mix.

Best of luck and don't blow all the money, tie it up into something you cannot get to easily without facing a penalty (that should make you think twice before you do it).