Hey Reader,

After 8 years in the financial industry, I can confidently say that most people complete more financial tasks in December than the previous 11 months combined.

That's why I'm including a free checklist to help you wrap up the most important financial considerations for the year.

This is also the time of year when most people get their finances in order and seek out a professional, so I want to share a quick story and some tips.

People aren't happy with their financial advisor

Last week, a prospect said that before he found me, he asked multiple friends if they’d introduce him to their advisor.

Their response?

They work with an advisor, but they wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.

Why?

• They never heard from them
• They weren’t sure what the advisor did
• They didn’t know how much they were paying

I hate hearing about these experiences.

I love being a financial advisor, and I know there are a ton of advisors who are doing amazing work.

So, I created a list of 10 tips to make sure that if you ever work with an advisor, you land with a great one on the first try.

1. Avoid the sales pitch

Before you book an intro meeting, research the advisor and learn everything you can about what they do, their process for doing it, what they charge, etc.

Understand what you're looking for and form criteria to filter out advisors who don't fit.

This will save you time and help you avoid being sold something you don't really need.

2. Test Rapport

In the first meeting, don't ask questions like, Should I contribute to a Roth or Traditional IRA? A quality advisor won't have an immediate answer because they don't know anything about your situation yet.

Learn more about their offering, how they do business, and whether they fit your needs.

See if you have a rapport and if they seem like someone you wouldn't dread meeting with a few times a year.

Before making a decision, use these questions to understand what they do and how you'd benefit from working together.

3. "What's your process for working with new clients?"

Look for an advisor who conducts meticulous data gathering over several meetings to fully understand your situation, values, and goals before delivering a plan.

There's value in efficiency, but cutting corners and skipping a comprehensive data-gathering process is bound to leave you with mediocre or flat-out wrong recommendations.

The initial data-gathering, presentation, and implementation of a full financial plan typically takes between 4-8 meetings in the first year.

Want the other 7 tips?

I consider myself a realist, so I know that 95% of people stopped reading after they downloaded the year-end checklist.

So, instead of trying to summarize such an important topic, I figured I'd link the in-depth blog post I wrote for those who are still interested.

You can check out the full list of tips here:

Conclusion

Money is too important to your family, your health, and your future to accept mediocre service or management.

Instead of working with someone you actively turn others away from, find someone you’re happy to put your reputation behind.

Have a great rest of your week!

-Matt Garasic

PS - If you...

• Want practical advice on how to reach your financial goals
• Don't have time to properly manage your financial situation
• Need help navigating the financial ramifications of a significant life event

That's what we do.

Still have questions? We have answers

• ​Services & Pricing​
• ​Frequently Asked Questions​

Disclaimer:

This is for general educational and illustration purposes only. This should not be taken as individual investment, tax, or legal advice.

Consult your legal, tax, and financial team before implementing any financial strategies for your specific circumstances.