A friend was telling me about a meeting she was having with her financial advisor. She’s conservative, so she keeps a fair amount in cash, in another account at another institution. It’s not earning much, so the advisor pressured her to move the money under him to get a better return. She was inclined to do so “because I felt stupid.” Forget about the fact that he was going to earn a 1% management fee on the money, and at her tax rate, the interest she would earn would be tiny. So a few lessons learned about experts in general:

1. The one thing you will always be expert on is what you need and how you feel about it. It’s the job of a good advisor to help you get what you need and to care about how you feel. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s not.
2. Use “experts” for their knowledge to answer questions, but don’t assume they are more expert than you. I am always amazed at how simple questions take forever to answer. Recently, someone recommended a blood thinner…but it required weekly labs and food restrictions. My girlfriend told me to get a different med…so much better.
3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions…there really is no such thing as a dumb question. The only thing you’ll regret is not asking the question. Experts are there because they’re supposed to advise you…..so you’re supposed to be asking questions.
4. Never forget what motivates your “expert”. Advisors are often compensated on very clear metrics: e.g. net new money. If you think your needs override their need to take care of their families and make a good living, you’re mistaken. It doesn’t mean they’re bad, it just means you need to understand their motivation.
5. No matter what the situation, you are your own best advocate. Whether or not it’s financial, medical, tax related….no one will advocate for you like you. If you relinquish that to “an expert”, you’ve just given away your power, and your needs will be prioritized among a larger group that expert is responsible for. When you are your own advocate, you’ll always be number one.