If you’ve ever thought, “I’m not wealthy, so I don’t need a financial advisor,” we need to talk.
It’s an all-too-common misconception that you must make a certain amount before hiring an advisor. And, unfortunately, that stereotype keeps many from getting the financial guidance they desperately need.
There are countless reasons people use financial advisors—that have nothing to do with wealth. Financial advisors provide valuable insight into your financial situation, while helping you create a long-term plan that delivers results. Anyone can benefit from that insight, including you.
Even still, you might not be sure that you’re ready for an advisor.
We’re here to help. Here are five tell-tale signs you should call a financial advisor:
1. You have financial goals, but you don’t know how to create a strategy to reach them.
Whatever your financial goals, it’s safe to say that you can picture the destination. But, can you visualize the map to get there?
Without a clear strategy from point A to point B, you can easily fall off course or, worse, have no idea which path you’re on. An advisor takes a big-picture approach to your finances, keeping you accountable and helping you see the light at the end of the tunnel.
2. You don’t understand your finances.
If you fall into this category, don’t worry. We all have our strengths, and if yours isn’t finance, that’s okay. An advisor is your ally, guiding your decisions and explaining the steps in a straightforward way.
Moreover, if you’ve made ill-advised financial decisions in the past and are ready to get back on track, financial advisors are there for you. They aren’t there to shame you or to question your decisions, but rather to understand where you are now and how to help you reach your goal going forward.
3. Your life is changing in a big way.
The big milestones are not only significant for the direction of your life but for the direction of your finances as well. Any big change—enrolling in a master’s degree program, getting married, having a baby, moving cities—will alter your financial situation significantly. Your best chance at getting ahead of that change and staying on course is to consult a financial advisor.
You should also consider that these changes are driven by your emotions. And, as wonderful as that is, you might make decisions out of emotion rather than logic. An advisor can serve as an objective third-party who can provide an outside perspective.
4. You don’t know if you’ll have enough for retirement.
If you’ve started saving for retirement, but aren’t sure you’re saving enough, a financial advisor can help determine how much you need. Saving for retirement is dependent on multiple factors like how much you make, how much you spend, inflation, how you would like to spend your retirement, and more.
An advisor spends a great deal of their time helping clients estimate how much they should save and how they can make that happen now.
5. You don’t know if you can afford a financial advisor.
As we mentioned, it’s a common misconception that you must be wealthy before you hire an advisor. It may seem like people with more money need an advisor more than those making an average salary; however, those making an average salary need a plan to make their money work harder.
We could say if you make “X” amount of dollars, then you need a financial advisor, but that isn’t reality. If you aren’t sure you can afford it, spend time researching advisors in your area. Choose the advisor who you feel most comfortable with and set up a consultation meeting. As they should always do what’s in your best interests, the right advisor will not overextend your budget for their gain.
If you need guidance on choosing an advisor, we recently wrote five crucial questions to ask before hiring a financial advisor.
If you still aren’t sure if you need an advisor, we can help.
Southwestern Investment Group has our clients’ best interests in mind. We choose teaching over selling, we never take shortcuts, and we focus on earning your trust. Our core values are at the forefront of everything we do.
Contact Southwestern Investment Group for an honest assessment of your financial needs.
