10 Reasons to Seek a Financial Advisor's Advice

With an increasing number of investment avenues and products in the market, it is easy for investors to get overwhelmed. Not everyone has the time or the expertise to study market trends, understand financial products, figure out their fit for their specific risk profile, and then make a strategic allotment in their financial portfolio. This is where a financial advisor can help. If managing your finances seems confusing, consider consulting with a professional financial advisor who can help manage your finances and suggest suitable instruments to invest in.

Let us understand the role of an advisor and the importance of consulting one.

What does a financial advisor do?

A financial advisor is a professional who provides personalized guidance and advice to individuals and businesses on how to manage their finances and achieve their financial goals effectively. They assess their clients' financial situations, based on which they develop comprehensive financial plans tailored to their specific needs and circumstances.

In addition, advisors offer ongoing support and keep track of the progress made by you toward your financial goals, while also rebalancing your portfolio to correct any deviations. They help you navigate the complex world of finance and update you on the latest financial products and offerings.

Financial advisors may also offer advice on planning for your retirement, taxation, and insurance plans. This way, they help their clients achieve overall financial security and well-being.

Why is it important to consult a financial advisor?

Seeking advice from a financial advisor allows you to have better control over your financial situation, set achievable financial goals, and develop a comprehensive plan to achieve them. It does not matter whether you are just starting out on your investment journey or you are already an active investor looking to optimize your financial plan. A financial advisor can provide you with appropriate guidance and support needed to make informed decisions and create a healthy financial future.

Let us explore few of the top reasons why hiring a financial advisor can be the right move for you.

10 reasons to hire a financial advisor

Here are some of the key reasons why hiring a financial advisor can be a wise decision:

1. You lack financial expertise

A financial advisor goes through years of training and gains immense insight into the world of finance. As their experience builds, they develop the required expertise to help their clients make informed decisions about their money. The same kind of knowledge may not be available to you. Thus, by seeking the help of a financial advisor, you can get advice on a wide range of financial matters, including investments, retirement planning, taxes, estate planning, and more. Tap into their knowledge and experience to help you make better financial choices.

2. Your finances have become increasingly complex

As your financial situation becomes more complex, keeping track of everything and making the right decisions can be challenging. This is particularly true for those with multiple sources of income, diversified investments, and debts. A financial advisor can help you navigate complex financial situations and provide guidance on everything from budgeting to investment strategies.

3. You don’t have enough time to manage your finances

For many people, managing their finances is just one of many responsibilities they have to juggle. Between work, family, and other commitments, there may not be enough time to timely look into your finances. This may result in you getting insufficient returns, or can also lead to losses if your investments are not managed correctly. By working with a financial advisor, you can free yourself from such worries. Since advisors actively look into your financial profile, your risks are minimized and potential returns are maximized.

4. You wish to improve your investment plan

A financial advisor can help you develop a comprehensive investment plan that takes into account your unique goals, needs, and circumstances. They can help you create a budget, set realistic savings goals, and develop an investment strategy that aligns with these objectives. Moreover, since they are well versed with different kind of financial products available, their performances, and associated risks, you do not have to worry about not having sufficient knowledge yourself. The financial advisor takes care of all the planning and monitoring of your investments. With a solid financial plan in place, you can feel more confident about your financial future.

5. You want assistance with investment portfolio diversification

A financial advisor helps you assess your risk tolerance, develop an investment strategy, and diversify your portfolio. Portfolio diversification is the strategy where you allocate different portions of your investment portfolio to different asset classes. If returns from one asset class takes a hit, another can move in the opposite direction and appreciate in value. This helps in offsetting losses and mitigating overall portfolio risk. They can also monitor your portfolio regularly and make recommendations for adjustments as needed.

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6. You wish to build a retirement plan

The earlier you start planning for your retirement, the more comfortably you can accumulate wealth for your post-retirement life. A financial advisor can help you create a plan that takes into account your goals, income, expenses, and expected retirement lifestyle. They can help you determine how much you need to save, where to invest your funds, and how to make the most of tax-free retirement saving plans

7. You want to set smart financial goals

Working with a financial advisor can help you set and achieve smart financial goals. Whether you want to save for a down payment on a house, pay off debt, or fund your child's education, a financial advisor can help you develop a plan to achieve each of your specific goals. They can also help you adjust your plan if there are any change in your personal or professional life.

Also see: How To Set Short, Medium and Long-Term Financial Goals

8. You’re considering taking out a loan

A financial advisor can help you evaluate your overall financial situation to determine whether taking out a loan is the right option for you. They can review your income, expenses, assets, and debts to help you understand how much you can afford to borrow and what loan repayment terms will suit you best. They can also help you compare different loan products and lenders to find the one that best meets your needs. Since a lot of products come with complex jargon and complicated conditions, they can help you understand the details in simple terms, while also evaluating the costs and risks associated with each option.

9. You want to avoid unnecessary taxes

A financial advisor can help you develop a that minimizes your tax liability. They also help you assess the various credits and tax benefits that you are eligible for and help you avail them.

They can advise you on strategies such as tax-loss harvesting, which involves selling losing investments to offset capital gains to minimize the amount you are required to pay tax on. They may also help you invest in retirement plans like individual retirement accounts (IRA), 401(k), Roth IRA, etc., that offer tax-deferred growth or tax-free withdrawals. Moreover, if there are any changes in tax laws, you must ensure that you fully comply with the new rules. You can seek a professional’s help in understanding any new changes that come up and how you can leverage them to manage your investments.

10. You’re looking to plan for financial emergencies

A financial advisor can help you prepare for financial emergencies by helping you set up an emergency fund. Ideally, you must set aside six to twelve months worth of your living expenses. Such an emergency fund comes in handy in case of a job loss, medical emergency, or other unexpected events. The advisors can also help you identify low-risk investments, such as Government bonds, that provide stability and security during market downturns.

How to find a good financial advisor

There are certain steps you can take to find a trustworthy financial advisor who can help you attain your goals:

1. Research the financial advisor options you have available to you: You can search for financial advisors online or get recommendations from friends and family members. Make a list of potential advisors and do a background check to ensure they are licensed and have a good reputation. You may also consider using a financial advisor match service. These are usually free services that connect you to 1-3 financial advisors based on basic information you fill in about yourself, based on your financial needs.

2. Determine the financial services you need assistance with: Financial advisors offer different services and it's essential to know the area where you need their guidance. Some advisors specialize in retirement planning while others focus on investment management, tax planning, or estate planning. It is good to determine where you need an advisor’s help, so you can consult an expert in that field. Some advisors also offer advice in all financial domains, in case you cannot pin point a few specific areas you want to look into.

3. Consider how much you can pay for a financial advisor's advice: Financial advisors charge different fees depending on the services they provide. The fee-only financial advisors charge only a percentage of your assets under management (AUM) or a flat or hourly fee. On the other hand, fee-based financial advisors charge a commission for specific products that they offer you. To increase transparency and avoid any conflict of interest, you may consider going for a fee-only financial advisor. However, they may prove to be a little more costly compared to fee-based advisors. You must also consider how much you can afford to pay for a financial advisor's services and choose one whose fees best fits your budget.

To conclude

Seeking the advice of a financial advisor is one of the smartest moves you can make for your financial future. While it may seem daunting at first, the benefits of having an expert on your side far outweigh the perceived costs. A financial advisor can help you create a customized plan for achieving your financial goals, whether they are saving for retirement, buying a home, or starting a business. They can also help you navigate complex financial situations, such as managing debt or investing in the stock market. With their knowledge and experience, a financial advisor can help you make informed decisions and avoid costly mistakes. Consider reaching out to a financial advisor to help secure your financial future.

Use the free advisor match tool to match with experienced financial advisors who can guide you effectively on how to build a substantial retirement corpus and attain your financial goals. Answer a few questions based on your financial needs, and the match tool will help connect you with 1-3 financial advisors that may be suited to help you.