How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

It’s important to remember that although you hire your financial advisor as a professional to perform a specific task, your satisfaction level will be largely based on the relationship you develop. And, as with all relationships, expectations and communication play key roles. Many investors are busy, find in-person meetings burdensome and feel they’ve hired the advisor to do the work and worry for them. Others feel the need to be more involved and, perhaps, reassured with more regular interactions. In addition to striking the appropriate balance for you and your personal situation with your advisor, there are certain times when meetings are essential.

Annual meeting

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance. This is the time to discuss whether you feel you are on the right track, and if there is something you could be doing better to increase your net worth in the coming 12 months.

Estate planning

When you’re creating or making a major change to your estate plan, you should meet with your financial advisor to make sure those plans fit in with your strategic financial planning scheme. Of course, your advisor cannot offer legal advice, but they can ensure your estate plan is proceeding in the right direction.

Significant financial event

Whether it’s coming into more money through an inheritance or promotion at work or acquiring a large debt, a significant financial event should trigger a meeting with your financial advisor. Your taxes, strategies and the structure of your portfolio may be impacted.

Major life-changing event

Your short and long-term financial planning can be altered by events such as marriage, birth of a child, divorce, loss of a job and many others.

Large portfolios

If you are an investor with a large portfolio, it’s likely to be diversified in ways different than the average investor. If so, a quarterly review may be more appropriate than an annual one to, for example, re-evaluate underperforming assets.

Again, one size does not fit all when it comes to financial advice. One way to provide an overview as to where you are with your investments is to visit our quick reality check for your portfolio. You’ll be glad you did.

Disclosure

The information contained herein is based on internal research derived from various sources and does not purport to be statements of all material facts relating to the securities mentioned. The information contained herein, while not guaranteed as to the accuracy or completeness, has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable. Opinions expressed herein are subject to change without notice.

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How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group (2024)

FAQs

How Often Should I Meet With My Financial Advisor? - Spinnaker Investment Group? ›

You should meet with your advisor at least once a year to reassess basics like budget, taxes and investment performance.

How often do you need to check in with a financial advisor? ›

“There are years you talk to your adviser every month, and there are years when a single check-in is completely appropriate. I think 2-3 times a year is a good average,” says Jen Grant, a financial planner at Perryman Financial Advisory.

How much money should I have to meet with a financial advisor? ›

Generally, having between $50,000 and $500,000 of liquid assets to invest can be a good point to start looking at hiring a financial advisor. Some advisors have minimum asset thresholds. This could be a relatively low figure, like $25,000, but it could $500,000, $1 million or even more.

When should you talk to a financial advisor? ›

Experts say it makes sense to hire a financial advisor in the following circ*mstances: You don't have the time or inclination to manage your finances. You experience a major life event, such as a marriage, divorce, loss of a spouse, birth of a child, relocation or change in your employment status.

Is it smart to meet with a financial advisor? ›

A financial advisor can help you hone in on your goals and map out a way to achieve them. This can be anything from starting to invest, buying real estate, saving for an emergency or retirement, or something else.

What to avoid in a financial advisor? ›

If a financial advisor you previously trusted exhibits any of these behaviors, it is worth having a conversation with them or even considering changing advisors altogether.
  • They Ignore Your Spouse. ...
  • They Talk Down to You. ...
  • They Put Their Interests Before Yours. ...
  • They Won't Return Your Calls or Emails.

How often should I check my investments? ›

“Looking at it monthly keeps an eye on the prize, because at the end of the day, we're all working toward retirement,” Quevedo said. “So that should be your focus on a monthly basis.” Getting that monthly snapshot can also help you see how financial products, stocks, funds or other assets are doing compared to others.

What is the 80 20 rule for financial advisors? ›

The 80/20 rule retirement emphasizes the importance of focusing on actions that yield the most significant results. When planning for retirement, concentrate on the 20% of your efforts that will have the greatest impact on your financial future.

What is the average investment management fee? ›

‍Advisor (Management) Fees

The industry typically refers to this as an investment management fee and averages between 1-2% of assets (i.e. A $100,000 investment could cost you between $1,000 - $2,000 annually).

What return should I expect from a financial advisor? ›

Source: 2021 Fidelity Investor Insights Study. Furthermore, industry studies estimate that professional financial advice can add between 1.5% and 4% to portfolio returns over the long term, depending on the time period and how returns are calculated.

What is a red flag for a financial advisor? ›

On the other hand, fee-based or commission-based compensation structures can both be financial advisor red flags. These advisors may earn part or all of their compensation in sales commissions. In other words, they may be more incentivized to sell products than give advice.

Should you tell your financial advisor everything? ›

It might come as a surprise, but your financial professional—whether they're a banker, planner or advisor—wants to know more about you than how much money you can invest. They can best help you achieve your goals when they know more about your job, your family and your passions.

What to do before talking to a financial advisor? ›

Before your first consultation, you'll want to reflect on and be prepared to discuss:
  1. Your values about money and your vision for your future.
  2. What life events are happening or could potentially happen.
  3. Short- and long-term life and financial goals.
  4. Investment questions.
  5. Your current financial situation.

Is a 1% management fee high? ›

Many financial advisers charge based on how much money they manage on your behalf, and 1% of your total assets under management is a pretty standard fee.

What is the downside of using a fiduciary? ›

A disadvantage of a fiduciary is that fiduciary advisors are often more expensive than non-fiduciary advisors as they charge higher market rates.

Should you be friends with your financial advisor? ›

There are definite risks involved in getting too friendly with a financial advisor, or hiring a friend who is a financial advisor. "It's a good idea for everyone to take a more proactive approach with their own investments," says Vic Patel, a professional trader and founder of Forex Training Group.

What is the minimum amount for wealth management? ›

Any minimums in terms of investable assets, net worth or other metrics will be set by individual wealth managers and their firms. That said, a minimum of $2 million to $5 million in assets is the range where it makes sense to consider the services of a wealth management firm.

Should I get a financial advisor if I'm poor? ›

Even if you don't have a lot of money, financial advisors can be beneficial. If they're tax-savvy, they can suggest tax credits and other tax advantages you may qualify for as a low-income individual. These could include the saver's tax credit, the earned income tax credit, and more.

How much should I pay for a financial coach? ›

Rates for financial coaches can vary, but hourly rates of $100 to $300 are fairly common. Annual packages with a financial coach may run into the thousands of dollars, so you'll want to have specific goals in mind when you start working with a coach so that the costs don't become a financial burden.

Should I get a financial advisor at 20? ›

Should I get a financial advisor in my 20s? Not every decision requires a financial advisor, but if you prefer to have someone to talk to about major financial decisions, or if you'd like someone to manage your assets, then an advisor may make sense for you.

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