What is your overall opinion of financial advisors?

It's not too bad. I know there are a lot of shady ones out there, but we've been lucky. Our neighbors at the retirement community where we live told us about a gal they've used for years, who told them about some great annuity contracts to get into. We went to see her and liked her and liked what she could offer, so we've signed up with her. So far, so good.
-Amelia B., 70, Provo, Utah

I don't trust them. I had a bad experience some years ago with an advisor who recommended something that was all wrong for us. He seemed like a nice guy, but he really hustled us for the commission. That's when we decided we would do our homework, not do anything too out there, and make decisions on our own. And we did really well until the stock market tanked.
-Oliver S., 69, Evansville, Ind.

I have an accounting background, so I've always acted as my own advisor. I know I have my best interests at heart, but I'm not so sure about these advisors. My wife talked me into going to one of those dinner seminars, but the guy was way too slick for us. It didn't seem like he was selling anything that we wanted to get into, so we decided to just keep doing what we're doing. We did take the advice of the attorney we hired to set up our estate; he recommended we get long-term care insurance, which we did.
-Hugh L., 64, Jacksonville, Fla.