A lot of people think that they do not need a financial advisor simply because they already have a great salary, they know how to handle their taxes, they pay their bills on time, and they have insurance. In short, they think they’re already doing great with their finances. However, they are missing something; a bigger picture.

1. You Need A Financial Advisor; Here’s How You Choose One
Do I need a financial advisor?
A lot of people think that they do not need a financial advisor simply because they already have
a great salary, they know how to handle their taxes, they pay their bills on time, and they have
insurance. In short, they think they’re already doing great with their finances. However, they
are missing something; a bigger picture.
A financial advisor won’t only help you make sure you handle your finances correctly; he
devices and implements an excellent, working financial plan that could actually result to better
flexibility in changes, a lot more money for your family for the present and the future, and
stability and security in times of unexpected turn of events.
Can I Be My Own Financial Advisor?
It is always better to seek the help of professionals. Financial advisors can make sound decisions
for you; ones that you can never make because of the lack of expertise, discipline, and
experience. There may be things you can find online to help you along with your venture, but
there are certain degrees of planning that you can never make out on your own, such as legal
rules, methodologies, concepts, language, etc.
Things like planning to pay for your college fee, retirement, or any short term or long term goal
are things that financial advisors are adept in, for they have spent a considerable amount of
years studying and serving people who have the same concern. So, going back to the question:
can you pull this off on your own? Better not take any chances. You need a financial advisor.
How Can I Choose My Financial Advisor?
Financial advisors guide you how to save, invest, and make more money in time. They can help
you reach specific goals- your own goals. That is why it is best to take time choosing the right or
the ideal financial advisor that can certainly help and guide you through your financial plans.
Here’s how:
Understand Your Own Needs.
You must understand that different planners have different expertise. Therefore, it is
important, before you look for your advisor, to identify what you need out of an advisor.
Consider your goals and the things that you want to achieve. Once you identified you goals, you
can choose the professional to hire. These goals may be related to your retirement, personal

2. financial planning, or business planning. Whatever these goals are, there are specific people
who can deal with them.
Ask Around
You can ask your friends about referrals. You can also ask recommendations from your
accountant-if you have one. However, you must remember that your situation may be unique.
Make sure you ask people who had the same situation that you have now. If not, their advices
may be useless. As discussed earlier, there are designated experts for different cases. You may
only consider the referrals of those who had the same situation that you have now when they
scouted for a financial advisor.
Talk To The People In Your Short List
For sure, after looking around and asking your friends about advisors, you now have a short list
in your paper of professionals who can deal with you and your current situation. It is best if you
met with them and talked to them in person. Financial planners do not charge their clients
during the first meeting of consultation. This will be a good venue for you to ask questions and
for the planner to figure out if your situation suits his profession and experiences or not.
The Fees
There are a few ways to pay your planner. It is best to choose a planner who is really concerned
about your case. Do not settle for one that only treats you like another sale.
 Flat Rate
Planners may charge you per hour, or they can charge you per plan devised.
 Commission
This is probably the most common payment method. This means that when you have
purchased an investment, an amount of percentage goes to the advisor.
 Asset Based Fees
There are planners that charge annual fees basing on the percentage of all the assets
that you have invested with them.
After all the things that you need to do, the best next best thing to do is to trust your hired
professional. For the planner to help you with your case, you must be willing enough to discuss
information about you and your finances. Doing this makes it easier for the planner to get
started with making plans to reach your goals.