Should I Hire a Financial Advisor?

And in case you missed it, check out last week's episode of Your Money Guide on the Side where we answered the question, How do I talk to Others About Money? This might be the most common money question I get, and maybe even the most important: Should I hire a financial advisor? And right behind it: If so, how do I find a good one? In today’s episode, I’m not giving you a yes or no answer (sorry, not sorry). Instead, I’m walking you through a three-part framework to decide if you need an advisor—skill, will, and time—and then I’m sharing seven real-world filters for choosing the right one if you do. Because the truth is: Working with a financial advisor might be one of the smartest moves you’ll ever make. Or it might be an expensive, unnecessary distraction. The difference lies in what you need and who you choose. We’ll talk about: The difference between CFP®, CFA®, CPA, and the rest of the alphabet soup What being a “fiduciary” really means (and doesn’t mean) The myth of market-beating promises (run from those) Fee models that make sense—and those that don’t Why credentials are clues, but not the whole story How investing is often more about behavior than brilliance The one question you must ask every advisor: “How do you invest your own money?” And yes, I even compare hiring a financial advisor to dating—because, honestly, it is. This episode won’t give you a rubber-stamped answer, but it will give you something far more valuable: a lens to look through so you can make the call yourself. 🎧 Whether you’re DIY-ing your financial life or just trying to figure out if the grass really is greener with professional help—this one’s for you. If you enjoy the show, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a friend who’s wondering if they should “talk to someone” about their money. 📩 And as always, you can sign up for the free newsletter at tylergardner.com for more clear, action-oriented financial education.