Dave Says: Letting Someone Else Manage Investments

 Dear Dave,

I’ve never heard you discuss at what point it’s advisable to let someone else make and manage your investments. Also, is there a point at which it’s good to go with a fee-only financial planner?

Anonymous

Dear Anonymous,

I think it’s always a good idea to do it yourself. And to be honest, I never recommend fee-only planners.

Don’t just turn everything over to someone else – no matter how many letters they have after their name – and let them manage it all or make all the decisions for you. You’re the one who made the money, so you should take care of your own stuff. In lots of cases, people looking for this kind of help have a greater net worth than the bozos dishing out advice and wanting to “handle” it all.

None of this stuff, investing, personal finance, or saving, is rocket science. You need to be in control of your money. Now, can you have counselors in your life? You bet! Everyone needs the benefit of people around them who have wisdom and experience.

But it’s never a good idea to just blindly trust someone. If you do, you might end up like an old, washed up boxer – no money and no teeth!

—Dave