Seeking the advice of a financial planner makes all the sense in the world. We tend to go to experts when we need expert advice and opinions, but people still make common mistakes when they go to these individuals.
The first error, which is far too common, is for people to go to financial planners assuming that the individual does not need to earn their business. Yes, these people are worthy of respect for what they have to offer, but that does not mean that they are to be revered above all else. The truth is that they need to earn your business because they have proven themselves to be worth the investment that you will put in them.
These planners should never use language that you are not able to understand. They need to speak plainly and in a way that you get some benefit from. Why would you go to speak with someone who is trying to talk over your head? You should never put money into something that you do not understand at any time. That is a recipe for disaster, and that disaster will fall upon you if you try to go for a home run and throw money away on something that is overly complex.
Finally, if you suspect for any reason that your financial advisor is not looking out for your own best interests, then it is time to show them the door. Remember, they are providing you a service, and they can be terminated when they fail to do so.
