Imagine that you are at a road fork, and there is a lot of financial jargon. It’s a difficult decision to make. Financial advisors are there to guide you through the maze, discover more.

Start by describing what they do. Consider them money mentors. You can use them to help you understand investing, saving and everything else. These aren’t simply numbers. These experts create strategies to suit your personal goals. Do you want to be able retire earlier than expected? It’s all in the plan. Why not start saving money to pay for college? You can rely on the experts.

Google is the answer to everything, why then do we need personal advice? An adviser is able to offer more personalized advice than online tips. The same thing as comparing an individualized suit to one purchased off the shelf. It may be that one fits perfectly, and the second is just okay.

We will examine different types. Consultants who only charge fees either at a fixed or hourly price are available. Others earn their income by commissions, and some make money selling products. Both methods are combined in fee-based services: they charge fees and earn commissions.

Fiduciary obligations are a term you may have heard of. The advisor is supposed to act in the client’s best interests. It’s like having a friend that is going to guide you the right way.

You should not only look at their name. Ask about past clients. Is the company familiar with working with clients like yourself? Perhaps you’re interested in the latest technology and would like someone to provide you with digital tools so you can track progress.

You shouldn’t keep all your eggs in the same basket. Diversify who you ask for advice and where you make investments. Some people even use robo-advisors–automated platforms offering low-cost solutions based on algorithms.

Let me tell you a story. Once I came across a man who was investing heavily in stock because his hairdresser had told him that they were a hot item. Spoiler: the advice was terrible. The moral? You should only trust professionals to handle money that is serious.

It is equally important to have trust. Select an advisor with whom you are comfortable discussing your financial affairs.

The best advisors do more than just give you advice. They also provide you with education. Imagine not receiving a single fish as you learn to fish. This is the power of empowerment.

In this context, how can companies be seen? Think of them as big leagues where many experts come together and collaborate to develop comprehensive plans. Many firms offer a variety of services such as tax or estate planning.

However, bigger isn’t always better! The service provided by smaller boutiques is better than that of large corporate giants.

We’ll add some humor. Ever thought of reading financial statement as deciphering the hieroglyphics in ancient times? You can rely on the pros to explain complex information.