Do I Need a Financial Advisor?
- adriannabodruk
- Feb 23, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 30
The answer to that question depends on your goals and personal needs. Jason L. Davis, one of our financial advisors, breaks it down.
Understanding the Real Question: What Do You Mean by "Need"?
Imagine you live 12 miles from your office. Do you need a car to get to work? Technically, no. You could walk, bike, or stay in a hotel all week. But if your goal is to maximize time with your family, maintain convenience, and have reliable transportation, then the answer shifts. You don’t just need a car to get to work; you need it to support a lifestyle that aligns with your priorities.
The same goes for a financial advisor. If your goal is simply to file taxes or put money in a savings account, you might not need professional help. But if your aim is to build a comprehensive financial plan, grow your wealth, and free up time and mental energy, then the value of a financial advisor becomes clear.
Signs You Might Need a Financial Advisor
Here are a few signs that suggest it might be time to seek professional financial advice:
1. You’re Not Sure How Much You Need to Retire
Planning for retirement isn’t just about saving money—it’s about aligning those savings with your life goals. A financial advisor helps you understand how much you need, how to prioritize your goals, and your timeline for achieving them.
2. You’re Not Interested in Managing Your Own Finances
Some people enjoy digging into tax codes, investment strategies, and retirement planning (like a backdoor Roth IRA). If that’s you—and you're confident in your knowledge—you may not need an advisor. But if financial planning feels overwhelming or uninteresting, it may be time to hire someone who does it for a living.
3. You Want to Learn but Don’t Know Where to Start
If you're eager to learn but are feeling lost, a good financial advisor can act as a guide and teacher. Look for someone who enjoys explaining concepts and helping you grow in financial confidence.
4. You Value Your Time and Peace of Mind
Even if you could manage your finances yourself, is it the best use of your time? If the cost of not hiring a financial advisor—in terms of missed opportunities, stress, or time spent—is greater than the cost of their services, then it may be worth the investment.
How a Financial Advisor Helps
A financial advisor can provide:
Personalized planning based on your unique life goals
Tax optimization strategies to help you keep more of what you earn
Investment guidance tailored to your risk tolerance and timeline
Accountability and education to keep you on track and informed
They serve not only as a technical expert, but also as a coach and educator. Any honest advisor should enjoy teaching. The more you understand your financial plan, the more effective the partnership becomes.
Is It Time to Partner With a Financial Advisor?
So, do you need a financial advisor? The better question might be: What are your financial goals, and are you equipped to achieve them on your own? If not, a trusted advisor could be the vehicle that gets you there.
Ready to take the next step? Reach out to a financial advisor on the Reveille Wealth Management team to learn how our Rules Based Investment Discipline can help you better manage and grow your wealth.
The information provided is not a statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision, and does not constitute a recommendation. The opinions expressed are those of Reveille Wealth Management and not necessarily those of Raymond James. Expressions of opinion are as of this date and are subject to change without notice. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy selected.
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