Can I Give Financial Advice?

Sometimes we hate talking about money for the solefinance or accounting professional, your advice on
reason that we know we are going to get unwantedstocks or taxes may have much more behind them
advice. If you mention to your mother that youthan someone who isn't a financial professional.
almost didn't have enough to pay your mortgage thisPeople will listen to you, maybe even ask you for
month you'll get an earful about how to save moneyadvice. Make sure that when you give them advice
or not to buy what you can't afford. If you mentionyou are neither selling yourself short by giving
to a friend that you have some extra money thatexcessive free financial advice, and that you are
you want to put in a mutual fund and a stockgiving correct advice without an ulterior motive.
enthusiast overhears, you'll hear all about the newNever tell someone to buy something because you'll
company you MUST buy stock in.get a commission, and only do so if you are 100%
Financial advice comes from all around, but we oftensure of yourself.
don't want to hear it. Why don't we want to hear it?If you have been in a similar situation as a friend in
First of all, no one wants money advice fromtrouble, you might be the right person to talk to.
someone who knows nothing a finance, let aloneMaybe they have kids going to college and need
someone who mismanages their money and issome help finding financial aid and you just went
constantly in debt. If someone doesn't have thethrough the same with your own children. This gives
knowledge or experience, we don't listen to them.you credibility and an honest opinion.
We also might not listen to them if we feel we knowNo matter what you give advice on and no matter
better or just honestly dislike the person. Our pridewhat your circumstances are make sure there is an
may get in the way of good advice or save us forunderstanding between the person you are speaking
bad advice.with and yourself that you are only giving your
Sometimes we fall into the opposite situation. Weopinion. You don't want to end up with any lawsuits
hear of someone else's financial shortcomings andor trouble. If you are worried that your advice might
feel we can help by giving them some advice. Canbe a little sour, don't give it, and if you are worried
we do this? Are we any better than the othersthat the person you are talking to doesn't always
trying to give us advice?understand you, don't try to persuade them. It's
There are plenty of good reasons for you to givealways nice to help someone out, but keep your own
someone else financial advice, but you must keep inwell being in mind.
mind it isn't always appropriate. First, if you are a