| If you want to make sure that you have secured | | | | your money. Make sure you check the credentials of |
| your future as much as you can, you will want to | | | | any advisors you are considering hiring. |
| find someone who can give you intelligent, unbiased | | | | Also find out if they are 'tied' or independent. A tied |
| personal financial advice. There are many people | | | | agent is one who can only sell the products and |
| around who claim they are financial advisors but you | | | | services of one company. They can still help you but |
| want to be careful who you hire. You have to not | | | | it's important that you know that they do have |
| only be able to trust them but you also want to be | | | | limitations of which products they can sell to you. |
| able to like them so you can work closely with them. | | | | That way you can make sure that the product they |
| When you first start your search you should probably | | | | are selling you is the best product to help you |
| ask for a recommendation right at your local bank or | | | | achieve your goals and not just the best product |
| credit union. More than likely they can give you a | | | | their company has for achieving your goals. There is |
| referral. One word of warning though, they will likely | | | | a big difference. |
| have many of their own products that they will try | | | | An independent agent may sound like a better |
| to sell to you. That may not be bad but in order to | | | | choice, but it can have it's landmines too. For |
| make an informed decision make sure you ask a lot | | | | example, even though an independent agent can sell |
| of questions and don't buy any product or service, | | | | products from many companies they will often push |
| unless you're sure it's a perfect fit for what you are | | | | a product from the company that offers them the |
| trying to accomplish financially. | | | | highest commission, not necessarily the best product |
| Asking friends, family, and co-workers is another way | | | | for you and your needs. |
| you can get a referral to a good financial advisor. | | | | Knowledge is power, so now that you know what |
| You may be surprised at how many people you | | | | the potential issue can be for both a tied and |
| know actually enlist the aid of an advisor. Many | | | | independent agent you can ask questions and avoid |
| people mistakenly believe that only the rich have | | | | them. |
| advisors. A good advisor will be able to help you | | | | If you want to make sure you protect your future, |
| protect the assets you already have as well as find | | | | hiring someone who can provide you with top notch |
| ways you can potentially grow those assets. | | | | personal financial advice can really help. There are |
| Once you've got a few recommendations go around | | | | many elements to your money. Everything from |
| to them and start 'interviewing' them. Again, it's your | | | | insurance to estate planning. Make the most of your |
| money you have the right to ask a lot of questions | | | | money by finding a professional to help you navigate |
| of whoever you're considering asking to manage | | | | all the resources available to you. |