How much should you tell your financial advisor? (2024)

How much should you tell your financial advisor?

An advisor needs to know how much money you bring in each month and each year. It will help them create a realistic plan for meeting your goals and protecting your assets. Yet, some clients don't disclose all their income sources to their advisor.

How much information should I give my financial advisor?

Be prepared to talk about your income, regular expenses and monthly cash flow. Provide a summary of your debt—including your mortgage, credit cards, student loans, car loans and other debt—and the interest rates and terms on the loans. Provide your insurance and estate-planning documents.

Should I tell my financial advisor everything?

It might come as a surprise, but your financial professional—whether they're a banker, planner or advisor—wants to know more about you than how much money you can invest. They can best help you achieve your goals when they know more about your job, your family and your passions.

At what point should you talk to a financial advisor?

Graduating college, getting married, expanding your family and starting a business are some major life events that might cause you to reevaluate your financial situation. A financial advisor can help you manage these life events while making sure you get or stay on track.

Is 1.5 too much for financial advisor?

Many may ask “Is 1.5% too much?” and the answer is that it depends. While 1.5% is on the higher end for financial advisor services, if that's what it takes to get the returns you want then it's not overpaying, so to speak. Staying around 1% for your fee may be standard but it certainly isn't the high end.

What is the 80 20 rule for financial advisors?

Focus on the Vital Few

The Pareto Principle emphasizes that 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your results. Therefore, identify the 20% of your expenses or investments that bring 80% of your wealth growth, and cut down on non-essential expenses to maximize savings.

What to do before talking to a financial advisor?

What to avoid in a financial advisor?

When not to use a financial advisor?

If you are well-versed in financial knowledge and investing and are looking to just grow your wealth, you may not need a financial advisor. On the other hand, if you are not confident in investing money or understanding the financial markets, then a financial advisor could be worth it.

What is a red flag for a financial advisor?

On the other hand, fee-based or commission-based compensation structures can both be financial advisor red flags. These advisors may earn part or all of their compensation in sales commissions. In other words, they may be more incentivized to sell products than give advice.

How often should I meet with my financial advisor?

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

At what age should you get a financial planner?

But the benefits of meeting with a financial planner when you're young can make a difference. New graduates and people in their early careers should look for financial planning support as soon as they start earning an income, Hudnett Reiss tells CNBC Select.

Are financial advisors worth paying for?

A financial advisor is worth paying for if they provide help you need, whether because you don't have the time or financial acumen or you simply don't want to deal with your finances. An advisor may be especially valuable if you have complicated finances that would benefit from professional help.

What does Charles Schwab charge for a financial advisor?

Schwab Wealth Advisory™

Fees start at 0.80% and the fee rate decreases at higher asset levels.

How to negotiate financial advisor fees?

How many millionaires use a financial advisor?

The wealthy also trust and work with financial advisors at a far greater rate. The study found that 70% of millionaires versus 37% of the general population work with a financial advisor. Moreover, 53% of wealthy people consider advisors to be their most trusted source of financial advice.

Is 1.25 percent too much for a financial advisor?

Most financial advisors charge based on how much money they manage for you. That fee can range from 0.25% to 1% per year. Some financial advisors charge a flat hourly or annual fee instead.

What is the minimum for most financial advisors?

Some traditional financial advisors have minimum investment amounts they require to work with clients. These can range from $20,000 to $500,000 or even more. Why? Because their fees need to cover their time and expertise, and managing smaller portfolios may not be cost-effective for them.

Should you be friends with your financial advisor?

There are definite risks involved in getting too friendly with a financial advisor, or hiring a friend who is a financial advisor. "It's a good idea for everyone to take a more proactive approach with their own investments," says Vic Patel, a professional trader and founder of Forex Training Group.

Do financial advisors look at your bank statements?

You may be asked to provide financial documents such as: Bank statements. Investment statements. Insurance policies.

What is the first thing a financial advisor does?

A good advisor always starts by identifying your goals — even your hopes and dreams — and then turns that understanding into a personalized financial strategy that can help you make those dreams come true.

How do you end a relationship with a financial advisor?

You can either call or email your advisor - but letting them know you're leaving and why is a nice thing to do. Your new advisor will actually do all the work of transitioning the accounts for you. A simple email like this would work great...

Do financial advisors have a bad reputation?

Financial advisors and insurance agents may have a certain reputation in many circles. While I believe the majority are honest, some advisors may give the rest a bad name by focusing on the commission instead of the client. And, even if you meet an honest advisor, how can you know they will do the job suited for you?

Why do financial advisors push mutual funds?

If the planners you've worked with have pushed specific products, it's likely because they had financial incentives to do so, according to the experts we spoke with.

Should I pay a financial advisor or do it myself?

Ultimately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer — some people, like those who tend to be more experienced, knowledgeable and disciplined might work better with an hourly fee adviser while others are probably better off having a pro mind the shop.