Advisor-proofing

What every woman should ask before trusting an advisor.

Before you hand anyone influence over your financial future, you deserve to understand how they are paid, what they are recommending, and what would happen if you did nothing at all. None of these questions are rude. They are basic.

Start with the incentives.

The first question is not whether someone is clever or reassuring. The first question is how they are paid. Hidden incentives do not automatically mean bad advice. They mean a less even conversation.

Ask about the alternatives.

A recommendation should never arrive as if it is the only option on the table. Ask what else could be done, what the simpler version looks like, and what happens if you do nothing for thirty days. Anyone who flinches at the thirty-day question is telling you something.

Get it in writing.

A written summary forces clarity. Ask for the recommendation, the fees, the risks, the alternatives, and the next steps in writing before you agree to anything. “I do not decide under pressure” is a complete sentence.

Start with these questions.

• Are you acting as a fiduciary for me?
• How are you paid, directly and indirectly?
• What fees am I paying inside the products?
• What are the alternatives?
• Can you explain this without the jargon?

Find your next step.

The Financial Power Audit will recommend the right starting rung on the CFC ladder.