How To Find A Financial Advisor

Sean defines "fiduciary" with a little help from the Eternal Source of Truth - Wikipedia. Then he talks about financial advisors who are or aren't fiduciaries, and what that means for you.

Guess who's (almost) back, guess who's (coming) back? Back again, almost back, almost back, almost back.... Stay tuned for new episodes very soon!

Sean talks about why you may or may not want to work with a Certified Financial Planner as your financial advisor. A CFP license holder might be the best advisor for you. But does it really make a difference?

If you want to invest in an annuity, you need to have a solid reason to use this long-term financial vehicle.  And you should definitely have a financial advisor helping you determine if the annuity is your best option, or if another type of investment might better suit your needs.

Sean explains why someone who specializes in pushing annuities could be dangerous for your financial well-being — and the three red flags you need to be aware of.

Sean and Ben often ask themselves if they're actually helping their clients, or if they may have made a mistake. Ben had a client who was certain he could handle his estate planning needs on his own, without Ben. Spoiler alert: He didn't. 

Sean wants you to know how to check up on your potential financial advisor — because you need to know as much as possible about the individual — using a tool called BrokerCheck.

Sean recounts a thread in one of his Facebook groups where a member was dealing with a case of fraud, and didn't know where some of his money was. Sean recommends asking two questions: Who holds my money? and Who prints my statements?

Sean and Ben chat about a simple question with a complicated answer: How much does it cost to do a Roth conversion? There are many ways to answer "How much will this cost?" and they can become overwhelming .

Sean discusses the situations when you want a financial advisor who's paid on commission, and why fee-only shouldn't be a hard, fast limit for you.

Sean gives you the ups and downs of hiring a less-experienced financial advisor. 

Sean shares five secrets some financial advisors don't want you to know about in regards to their fees.

Sean discusses why you may be unhappy with your financial advisor and what to do in that situation. He's happy to help you navigate finding a new advisor who's a better fit for you.

Sean brings up a case study of a relatively young couple looking for financial advisors. He can help you find financial advisors who could be a good fit for you. Don't hesitate to reach out!

Sean discusses the simple question to ask potential financial advisors, to see if they might be a good fit for you. 

Sean addresses common must-have ideas around hiring a financial advisor, and why they can make you miss out on your ideal advisor.

Sean and Ben discuss the 80/20 rule, or the Pareto Principle. Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population. He looked at other nations and saw that the ratio was the same. 

Sean talks about questions that you absolutely do not want potential financial advisors to answer without asking a dozen questions back at you. 

Sean and Ben talk about the dangers of asking "Compared to what?" In Dallas in summer, it's hot. "Compared to what?" Compared to Alaska? Jupiter? your normal temperature? A refrigerator? The heart of a volcano?

Sean discusses the super secret question you should ask any potential financial advisor. In fact, it's so secret, he mentions it 20 seconds into the episode! 

Settling your wants and needs from a financial advisor is crucial — because for all intents and purposes, they'll be your partners in ensuring your financial future. Want to retire at 40? Tour the world? Make sure your kids can go to Harvard? Financial advisors can help you reach any or all of those big dreams.

If you ask anyone who has a financial advisor for the best tips on finding one who fits your style, they'll give you the questions you "just have to ask" before you choose one. Sean provides a deeper look into what typical advice you might hear and how to carefully question this guidance.

We all would prefer to work with people we Know, Like, and Trust. Getting the Trust phase takes time--and as you are working towards it, your experience will far smoother if you Like your advisor. Trust your gut in deciding when and how to go forward with someone.

Sean and his colleague, Ben, discuss making short-term predictions - which people have no logical way to make. Even certified financial professionals can't predict whether the stock market is going to be up, down, or flat six months from now.