If you aren’t sure you’re ready to hire a financial advisor, you aren’t alone.
Many people are unsure if their financial situation merits outside help. They don’t know who hires a financial advisor or what drives that decision. Worse, some are under the impression that advisors only work with the extremely wealthy.
Truthfully, if you are questioning whether your finances could benefit from the help of a financial advisor, the answer is likely yes. We understand that deciding to seek an outside perspective on financial matters can sound intimidating, but it’s all in finding the right firm.
In this article, we’ll cover who financial advisors help, when you need one, and where to find an advisor who fits your needs.
Financial Advisors Are Not Exclusive to Age or Salary
First, financial advisors are not reserved for people who are a certain age or make a certain amount of money. There isn’t a magic number that lets you know whether you could benefit from an advisor.
The decision is less about if you need an advisor but rather which advisor is best for your situation. For example, some advisors require a minimum amount of your initial investment, but not all. Regardless of your current finances and future goals, there is an advisor out there who specializes in helping people like you.
Look at different advisors’ websites and see which one seems to align with your needs the most. Ask plenty of questions during your consultation to be sure that you feel comfortable with them. You’ll also get a feel for their credibility and how they’ve helped others in similar financial situations.
When to Consider Hiring a Financial Advisor
Though having an informed opinion about your finances is always a good idea, there are particular times you should consider an advisor. Here are a few of the most common.
1. Your Life Is Changing.
Changes in your life bring on necessary financial adjustments. Big changes can encompass anything that affects you emotionally—moving cities, entering into a new job, going through a divorce, having a child. It’s nearly impossible to look at these situations from an objective standpoint because they are inherently emotional.
The soundest financial decisions are those made out of logic. Hiring a financial advisor offers you an objective third party who can make a recommendation based on what is best for you financially.
2. You Focus on Your Finances Piece by Piece.
When it comes to money, many people can’t see the forest for the trees. Instead of focusing on their overall financial health, they will instead focus on individual accounts or decisions.
This approach puts you at a disadvantage because every piece of your financial portfolio works together. Financial advisors take a holistic approach, understanding how each piece is contributing and how they can factor into your long-term goals.
3. You’re Changing Jobs.
When you change jobs, it brings other adjustments. At the very least, you change retirement plans and insurance policies. At most, you could move to a new city or state and dramatically increase your income level.
If you’re moving to a larger corporation in the Nashville area, like Amazon, Apple Music, Nissan, or HCA, you’ll likely see a significant difference in benefits plans. A financial advisor can step in to help you determine if those benefits are right for you, which to take advantage of, and how you can supplement.
It’s best to be proactive, ensuring that you’re making the best decisions from the beginning. A financial advisor is a great ally to have as you’re repositioning your financial future based on your new income and benefits.
4. You’re an Entrepreneur.
Owning your own business is a different financial realm. Your finances look severely different from those who are employed by a company—choosing retirement plans and insurance policies for employees, for example. It’s much less of a headache to have a professional guiding and validating those decisions.
An advisor helps you understand how your decisions affect your business’ financial stability and your personal finances.
5. You Don’t Have the Time.
When planning our time, we tend to overextend ourselves. In an ideal world, you could work during the day, take care of your at-home responsibilities on nights and weekends, see your friends and family, relax, get some exercise, take a vacation, and keep up a hobby—all while keeping a watchful eye on your money. But, something always falls behind, right?
It’s likely that you don’t have the time to devote to your finances, consistently at least. Staying on top of your financial health is a much easier task when a financial advisor is helping you build a strategy and stay on track.
If you’ve come this far and you think an advisor might be for you, where do you find one? How do you start looking? Should they be local?
How to Look for a Financial Advisor
The Internet is a wonderful place, full of overwhelming options. If you’re ready to look for an advisor, narrow down what you’re looking for before you begin your search. Many firms offer online services, but we find that having a personal connection and feeling comfortable with your advisor is the key to a successful relationship.
To that end, search for financial advisors in your area. Narrow down the list by browsing through their websites and determining which ones fit you best. Gut feelings can go a long way in this process because, as we said, you want to feel completely comfortable with the person you’re trusting with your finances.
Contact The Nail Wealth Team in Franklin, Tennessee
The Nail Wealth Team is helping your neighbors right here in Franklin. Reach out to our local office to set up a consultation appointment. We can talk you through how we help our clients meet their dream financial goals. And, you’re sure to feel like part of our family.
For a hometown touch, contact us today to learn more.
