Accountable Update

Do You Need a Financial Advisor? Maybe Not. But You Might Want One.

There’s a common message in the financial industry that everyone needs an advisor. I don’t believe that.

If you take pleasure in managing your own finances, have the time to remain involved, and possess the discipline to make confident decisions, you will likely be just as successful as someone who hires an advisor. There are plenty of capable, self-directed investors.

In fact, an advised portfolio will almost always be pricier than a self-managed one. And when all things are equal, it’s unlikely to outperform. But all things aren’t always equal.

One Big Beautiful Bill: What Investors and Taxpayers Need to Know

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1), a legislative behemoth recently passed in Washington, may have a humorous name, but its implications for investors, taxpayers, retirees, and business owners are far from insignificant.

This comprehensive package secures reduced tax rates, modifies healthcare and energy incentives, and restarts the estate planning process for wealthy families. Below, I’ll break down what matters—and how you might want to adjust your planning.

Can I Get Out of an Annuity I Was Sold?

“I purchased an annuity from a financial planner and found out, after the fact, that what he sold me and I agreed to is not the same product that I purchased through him. He pre-filled the application and showed me where to sign. I feel foolish for not understanding how this annuity works.

I am disappointed that he presented himself as a fiduciary and told me this product would provide me guaranteed income, liquidity, and stock market returns. I now realize that the income guarantee, liquidity, and returns are not as straightforward as he described and appear to be costly versions of benefits I could have achieved with less complexity and lower fees. Do I have any recourse? Would hiring a new financial advisor help me figure out what to do?”

— Email from a prospective client