One of the greatest sources of calm in a mad world is the feeling you get when you know that you have more than enough money and everything is organised and taken care of, so you can finance both now and your future.
Don’t know that feeling? Not many people do.
But then, many people think that they don’t need a financial advisor. ‘I took math, I know about money and keeping a budget, so why should I pay someone else to do something I can do for myself?’
We’ve put together four reasons why having a financial advisor will equip you to thrive.
1 – Access to the best-of-breed products
Let’s use an example, and equate someone who doesn’t realise the benefits of a financial advisor with a man who wants to place bets on horses and make some cash. He has R100, and has been told he needs to get an advisor. So he reluctantly pays R5 to an advisor who takes him to a good venue. The man, new to the game, does not understand the difference in quality between racing venues and the horses that compete there. His advisor knows horses and will take him to venues with better horses, where chances of receiving larger amounts are far more favourable and most likely. Not only are they in the right place, but the advisor will know which horses and races to bet higher or lower on.
Not all financial products (risk and investment) are equal, and not all product providers are equal. When you are not able to easily compare one to the other, having an advisor who has apportioned the best-of-breed products, followed fund performances for many years and tried and tested various solutions reduces your risks considerably.
2 – More flexibility with your portfolio when your needs change
You know what they say – the best musicians are jazz musicians, because only the best can perform impromptu genius at the drop of the hat. Financial advisors are like jazz musicians, knowing how to change a financial plan quickly and effectively when big life changes happen and, more importantly, exactly what to do financially to get the outcome you need.
This brings a whole other benefit too – less angst and time-consuming stress for you in an important life event, like expecting your first child or planning a wedding.
3 – An independent financial advisor will always put you first, products second
Independent advisors have chosen not to be tied to any one product provider, which means they are free to consider your needs and circumstances first, and then align those with appropriate and value-adding solutions.
4 – Your advisor normally has more experience and knowledge of what could best suit you
This one is often hardest for people to accept, but often an independent financial advisor is a great tool because they have experience in the field that can be of benefit. You may be a good selecter of funds and good with your money, but what if you didn’t know Funds D, E and F existed, how could you be expected to make the best choice?
It’s all about equipping your portfolio with what you need to thrive. If you had a company that was doing fine but needed a boost in a certain department, chances are you’d hire someone to help.
And you wouldn’t want just anyone, you’d want the most qualified person for the job, someone who can do what you can’t and work with you as a team to realise your goals. And that’s exactly what your money needs from you.