The Easy Way to Plan Your Financial Future

Americans today are concerned about the lagging global economy & growth prospects of the economy here at home, especially after learning of the relatively flat final quarter of 2015. The US stock markets have lost over $1 trillion of value in the first month of trading this year, partially due to concerns from abroad, but local issues including the interest rate tightening by the Federal Reserve & the almost historic lows in oil prices have also contributed. In these trying financial times, many Americans are looking for safe harbor for their savings so they can accomplish life goals like retiring, putting children or grandchildren through college, or buying a first home. Fortunately, there is a veritable army of financial professionals waiting in the wings to help educate, inform, & make difficult decisions regarding investments & finances. These dedicated professionals are known as Personal Financial Advisors, and they are eager to help put your money to work!

Personal Financial Advisors assess the financial needs of individuals & help them make decisions on investments (like stocks and bonds), tax planning, and insurance. Advisors help clients plan for short and long term goals, including meeting education expenses & saving for retirement with investments.

They invest client funds based on the decisions made by the client. Many advisors also sell insurance products or provide tax advice, but they need special certifications & must be registered properly to offer these services. As of 2014, there were nearly 250,000 personal financial advisors in the US, and the profession is expected to grow at a rate of 30% from 2014 - 2024, which is much faster than the average occupation. Personal financial advisors earn significantly more than the average American, as the mean annual salary for an advisor is $108,090, compared to $47,230 for the average job. That hefty paycheck comes with a good deal of work as well; 30% of advisors worked more that 40 hours per week in 2014, and many go to meetings at night or on weekends to solicit new clients. They also must be well-educated, as advisors require a bachelor's degree, as well as a great deal of on-the-job training. Advisors with higher degrees or certifications like the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) designation can expect to earn more & may gain more clients also.

If you are interested in learning more about Personal Financial Advisors & how they can help you invest wisely, check out our fact-filled infographic below. Also, be sure to check back to our Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram pages all week to find more awesome financial advisor content!

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