“…it is becoming increasingly dangerous as society hands us more and more responsibility for vital and complex decisions about our savings for college and retirement, our family’s health care and the providers of utilities ranging from electricity to cellular-phone service. Responsibility is always the price of freedom. But we are now responsible for so many decisions requiring so much homework that many of us feel helpless and paralyzed. The risks of inaction or unwise action are rising, even as many of the professionals on whom we would like to rely for guidance are proving untrustworthy and even corrupt…Future benefits depend on how wisely we invest–which looked pretty easy until the market turned south two years ago. Now we are learning how much we don’t know about risk and diversification and how poorly equipped most of us are to choose among 8,282 U.S. mutual funds. The yearning for reliable advice is so widespread that a Charles Schwab commercial shows a family doctor who makes a house call (remember those?) and winds up giving investment advice. ‘Wouldn’t it be nice,’ goes the ad slogan, ‘if the person you trusted most was your financial adviser?’”—Time, 1.28.02

Finding a financial advisor you can trust is the key to your long-term financial success. However, as we’ve often talked about, finding someone you can trust, someone who is on your side, can be challenging. Regardless of the challenge, you risk much if you refuse to act.

In spite of what we’ve seen in the news about corrupt advisors taking advantage of their clients, good advisors still exist. Look for a member of the SSofRFP. Ask people you trust who they trust. When you start to hear the same names, you’ll know you’re headed in the right direction.