Five Signs You May Need a Financial Adviser

Five signs you may need a financial adviser

1.     You don't have time

When you’re juggling your job with your personal and family life, it can be challenging to carve out time in your schedule to really sit down with your finances. As a result, it’s easy to feel that they are slipping out of your control.

You find yourself putting off big financial decisions because they feel overwhelming, drawing time and energy away from work, family and relationships. A financial adviser can work with you by researching your options and advising on a course of action that help you work toward your goals, instead of putting them off.

2.     You find investments confusing

With so many investment products on the market, how can you be sure you’re getting a good return for the risk that’s involved? If you’re trying to make sense of it all by yourself, a financial adviser can clarify the concepts for you, with in depth knowledge around investments and markets.

They’ll help you review your current situation and goals and get an understanding of your appetite for risk. Then they’ll work with you to create an achievable plan and match you with quality investment solutions that suit your circumstances. And even better, they can identify investment opportunities that you might not have otherwise found out about.

3.     You've been through a major life event

Financial and personal lives are complex and interconnected – when a major life event occurs, it has a ripple effect across your finances. For example, when you get married or move in with a partner, you might want to merge finances and redefine your shared financial goals.

From buying a home and starting a family to changing jobs or retiring, a financial adviser can help you before, during and after. They’ll help you understand the financial implications, then work on building or adjusting your financial plan to ensure you stay on track.

4.     You're about to make an important purchase

While you make financial choices like these every single day, there may be times in your life when you are presented with a more significant decision. For example, you may come into an inheritance, or receive a bonus at work or a redundancy payout. In these cases, there is a strong temptation to splurge the cash.

It can be hard to know the best way to make the most of this money: should you pay off your mortgage, boost your super or invest it for the future? That’s where a financial adviser comes in. They’ll walk you through your options and what they mean for your situation, so you can feel confident in making the best possible financial decision.

5.     You're feeling stressed about money

One major reason why people choose to work with financial advisers is for the peace of mind it gives them and their families – particularly if they’re experiencing financial stress. Financial stress can happen to anyone, no matter their age or background. It can have a profound and lasting impact on your health and relationships.

An adviser can help you analyse your finances and figure out where you can make changes to improve your financial situation. They can also help you consider important questions, like how you and your loved ones would cope financially if you were unable to work for a while due to an accident or illness.

They can make sure you have a financial safety net in place and proactively help you prepare for major life events that could impact your finances and goals.

With a strong financial plan, you can recover from a small setback that risks derailing your finances.

Source: Colonial First State