Meet Brie. Brie is the client service manager at Maestro and has been for nearly a decade. With intimate knowledge of over 20 software programs that guide client success and specialty knowledge of retirement accounts, taxes, investing services, and 401k contributions, some would say she is the right hand of the firm. Brie is often the first point of contact for Maestro Associates’ legacy clients. People who want to take money in or out of an account, transfer funds, or learn about compliance usually start with Brie. And one thing she’s passionate about is financial literacy, “The financial world is so complex. And most people don’t get a financial education in school, so there’s a lot of misunderstanding about what they can and can’t do to be financially successful”.
Here are four tips from Brie on hiring a financial planner:
1. Financial planning is for everyone
Financial planning is looking at your current money situation, long-term goals, and then creating a plan to help you reach those goals. More often than not, the goals aren’t about money at all; they’re about time spent with loved ones, vacations, retiring earlier than expected, or leaving a legacy you’re proud of. Regardless of what your goals are, a good financial planner will work with you to uncover the real emotional factors that always play into them. Creating a roadmap for your financial future isn’t just for the wealthy, it’s for everyone.
2. It’s about more than finances
You don’t have to be a millionaire to work with a financial planner. And most people aren’t.
Working with a financial planner can help you consider and plan for life’s events that are hard to talk about and even harder to plan for:
What happens when I get older, who is my power of attorney?
What’s going to happen to my estate?
Do I have enough money to go into assisted living?
Do I even want to go into assisted living?
Can we plan out investments for the next two years? Sure, but let’s look at your future and figure out the type of life you want to lead, what kind of impact you can have on your community, and the legacy you want to pass down to your kids and grandkids. And let’s build out that plan.
3. Tell the truth
If a patient withholds information when they go to the doctor, this could prevent the doctor from providing the right care and could be dangerous to the patient's overall health. The same principle holds true in financial planning. Being open and honest will help create a more authentic and reliable plan for your financial future. Without cultivating a culture of openness, you can’t fully address all of the investment and financial opportunities that you’ll surely face as you inch towards retirement. But with a trusted planner on your side, you’ll be more likely to overcome a regretful financial past and set you and your family up for a bright financial future where you’re living the life you want to be living.
4. Just give it a try
It’s as simple as that. Just give it a try. Get a referral from a trusted friend or family member and set up an appointment. Most financial planners offer a free consultation where you can go in and talk with someone to learn about building a financial plan that will help you meet your life’s goals on your own terms. There’s really no reason not to — even if you don’t end up hiring them the meeting alone will surely teach you something. And with the complexities of investments and securities in today’s age, there’s always something to learn from an expert in the field. You’re likely to leave with a better understanding of how working with a financial planner can truly help you identify and plan for living the life you want.