As financial decisions become more complicated, it is far easier to make a mistake. Today more and more people procrastinate on making financial decisions. Procrastination to make financial decisions can ultimately lead to anxiety, delay, or indifference.
In this article, I provide three keys to seek out and accept financial advice from a professional advisor. If you recognize the need for help, whether you are a millennial, a baby boomer, or someone in between, you can increase the odds of making beneficial financial decisions. You can avoid making predictable financial mistakes.
One may ask, “Why can’t I do all of this on my own?” To which, I would respond, “You don’t know what you don’t know!” An experienced financial planner has many clients that are at different stages of their financial lives. They can use their experience of what has worked and what has not worked to help you arrive at a better outcome. Financial success is not only contributed to by the earnings over a lifetime, but it is also the avoidance of predictable financial mistakes.
Who to turn to for Financial Advice?
Let us start with some definitions: A Financial Planner is a professional who helps individuals create a plan to meet long-term and short-term financial goals. A Financial Advisor is a broad term for those who manage money, including investments and insurance products. A Wealth Manager is a financial advisor who utilizes the spectrum of financial disciplines available such as financial and investment advice, legal or estate planning, accounting and tax services, and retirement planning to manage an affluent client’s wealth. Let us place all these labels under the heading of Financial Coaching.
You can decide to work with a Financial Coach based on the financial complexity and after an initial meeting without obligation. This initial contact can take place via an introductory phone call or in-person meeting without obligation. At that time, expect to learn about the financial coach’s value proposition. If financial advice is what you seek, a comprehensive planning process should include: assessing your financial needs, educating you on your financial life choices, recommendations, and a timeline for ongoing review of your financial plan.
Choosing the right Financial Coach
If comprehensive financial decision-making is what you seek, start by looking for a professional with CFP credentials. The CFP credential stands for “Certified Financial Planner” and is the gold standard for financial professionals engaged in financial planning. In addition, look for senior financial planners who have 10+ years of experience with a support team around them. This team might consist of a client relationship manager and an associate financial advisor who is always available to the client for follow-up and execution of action items. The senior financial planner’s job is to get to know your unique financial needs and manage the overall strategy to achieve your financial goals. This process covers important concepts around economic assessment, risk management, and education related to your unique circumstances.
Accepting Financial Advice
Today, everyone faces increasingly complex financial decision-making. In addition, financial information has become readily available to anyone who searches the internet. However, this information is useless without the wisdom to know how to use it. Is it any wonder we fear making financial decisions? It is often difficult to distinguish good financial choices from bad. As a result, many people make financial decisions without knowing the negative impact they will have on other areas of their financial lives until it is too late to correct them.
Seek out a qualified and experienced financial coach/planner to assist you in making your financial decisions. The results may lead to reducing your anxiety around making financial decisions and ultimately improve your overall fiscal well-being.
Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through Legacy Planning Partners, LLC or CES Insurance Agency.
Jan Graybill is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP), and holds the Certified Exit Planning Advisor® (CEPA), Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC) and Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU) professional designations. He is a Managing Partner and CEO of Legacy Planning Partners.