How do you feel?

By Mike Brady, Michael Brady & Co. Wealth Management

Many people hire financial advisors thinking they will provide them with better investment returns, lower taxes and more income. Many financial advisors see themselves as star investment managers, tax-reduction experts or crystal ball future seers. These advisors are like surgeons who take pride in their surgical skills but would prefer to keep their interactions with patients limited to the operating room.

What people really want instead of a financial advisor is a well-being advisor. They want someone who will make them feel better about their financial situation. They want someone to smooth out the emotional roller coaster of the investment markets and allow them to enjoy an increased sense of well-being.

Yes, this might require realigning their investment portfolio to increase potential returns, or devising a strategy to reduce taxes or exposure to loss, or to create a plan for the funding of children’s education.

But those are not what people really want when they hire a financial advisor. What they really want is to not have to worry about any of those technical matters and to enjoy an increased sense of well-being. They want the freedom to live their lives to the fullest, to have trust in their well-being advisor, to know their advisor will communicate any important facts or concerns to them and take care of their financial matters completely.

Well-being advisors enhance the lives of their clients by getting to know them. They know about their family goals and objectives. They know their likes and dislikes, their wants and fears. They listen more than they speak. They observe and question, analyze and plan, share and advise. They say no when necessary and yes when possible. And their advice is always in the best interests of the client.

Well-being advisors are difficult to find and invaluable when found. They are highly educated, very experienced and well liked in the community. They are not salesmen, agents or brokers. They are people-oriented, caring individuals who manage investors instead of investments. Who seem more like therapists instead of investment analysts. They are more like family doctors instead of surgeons. They will employ specialists when appropriate but will also shield the client from unnecessary surgery.

If you are interested in working with a well-being advisor, feel free to give us a call or send us an email for a free, no-obligation introductory meeting.

Michael Brady is a fee-only, full-time fiduciary and certified financial planner. To set up an appointment, call 440-235-2100, email Mike@MichaelBradyCo.com or visit MichaelBradyCo.com.