It really an eye opener when you have to watch your brokers, your managers, your relatives (well they shouldn't be in your business).

Lately, we have been sitting down with our broker at least four times and year to keep them on track to what we want. However, it's not their money. So when they blow it, or place your investments in some vehicle that's not giving you the return of the market. you have to call them on the carpet.

We neg everything. From home repairs to hotel rooms. We have to watch our retirement egg because if we don't, who will.

Do I read you correctly....you regularly sit down with your "broker"? Do you also sit down with your local car salesman on a regular basis?

Brokers are paid and incentivized to trade your account to generate trading commissions and to sell you as many financial products as they can convince you to buy while clearing FINRA guidelines for NOT being UNSUITABLE.

Having a stock broker manage your retirement accounts is like a farmer paying a fox to guard his chickens.

I would strongly suggest you rethink this strategy before its too late. If investment advice is what you want, hire a fee-only registered investment advisor, holding the CFA or CFP designation....or better yet, find an RIA at the Garrett Financial Advisors Network website. These advisors work only on an hourly or limited 'assets under management' fee system.

BruceM

or better yet, find an RIA at the Garrett Financial Advisors Network website.


and even better, look for one of the Garrett planners that is affiliated with TMF for the 10%(?) discount. There's even a Fool icon you can click on their home page:

www.garrettplanningnetwork.com/

A better response, I visit my financial advisor four times a year. Even though they buy a few things for me, they usually handle my $$ profile.

Again, I love the feedback and info. I'm still thinking about changing advisors, because on my own, with some investment I'm beating the market.

Yes - I agree! I actually had my tax preparer (CPA), who is gaining credentials in the investment field,suggest an investment -- when I asked the rating - he did not know it - when he sent an article on the latest (possible) bubble he hadnot read the 2 book titles that I had sent him!!!I may be looking for another tax preparer!!!