Posted on Wednesday, 30th December 2009 by admin

I was at a cocktail party, and as I chatted with a new acquaintance, talk turned to occupations, as it is want to do. Then the highly predictable happened. The minute I mentioned that I write about finance and insurance, my cocktail mate made the well-worn comment, “Boy, I bet you get a lot of good stock tips!”

A flute of champagne in one hand, a mini quiche in the other, I didn’t feel it was the time to go into a discourse about how I don’t go around playing day trader just because I write about these things. Instead, I steered the conversation (deftly, I hope) onto a more seasonal topic.

But afterwards I got to thinking. Yes, I write about these topics, but what that means is I spend a lot of time talking to some very smart, savvy agents and advisers who really, really know about these things because that is what they do for a living. I write; they advise. That’s the difference, and that’s why I use a financial adviser. (Although I’ll always think of him as my insurance agent!) And this got me to thinking—again.

I wonder if he really knows how much he has changed my financial life for the better? When the market tanked, I not only didn’t lose any money, I actually made a modest sum. My adviser saw what was coming, so he made an appointment, came over and sat at my dining room table to talk to me about it. We discussed his philosophy about what to do, and mine, and then he executed our plan. I would never have been able to accomplish that on my own.

The same goes for my insurance coverage. He sat down with me and offered advice on what would best suit me here and now, and suggested what the next step on the insurance road should be. He did all the work to make sure I got the coverage I needed.

But it hasn’t been all wine and roses. He has also given me the proverbial finger wag, cautioning me that even though retirement seems a long way off, I really need to be doing more than I am to reach my goals. There is no one else giving me these reality checks and making sure that I am covering all my financial bases.

For those people who have a great agent or adviser in their lives, I hope you reach out and tell them how grateful you are. I also encourage those who are not currently working with one to search out an adviser like mine—someone who not only understands that his success is tied to yours, but truly cares that you succeed financially and personally.

Before I send this link off to my adviser (he gets a digital thank you!), I want to wish you all the best for the coming year.

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