A second opinion is a plain-English look at what you own, what it costs and whether it still fits your life. You don’t have to switch advisors to get one, and you should walk away knowing more than when you started, whatever you decide.
Why people ask for a second opinion
Most people who ask for a second opinion aren’t unhappy. They’re unsure. Maybe retirement is getting close, an advisor retired, a spouse passed and left accounts behind, or the statements just stopped making sense.
A fresh set of eyes helps you answer one question: is this still the right setup for me?
1. What you’re paying
Fees come in layers: the advisory fee, the expense ratios on each fund, and sometimes sales charges or insurance costs buried inside products. We add them up so you can see the total in dollars, not just percentages.
2. How much risk you’re really taking
Portfolios drift. A mix that started at 60% stocks can quietly become 75% after a few good years. We show you where you actually stand and whether that matches how much risk you can live with.
3. Hidden overlap
Owning eight funds doesn’t always mean you’re spread out. Many popular funds hold the same big companies. We check whether your funds are really different or just different names for the same thing.
4. Fit with your goals
This is the part that matters most. Does the portfolio line up with when you’ll need the money, how much income you’ll draw from it, and what you want to leave behind? A portfolio can look fine on paper and still be wrong for your life.
What to bring
- Your most recent statements for each account
- A rough idea of what you spend in a month
- Your expected retirement date, if you’re not retired yet
- Any questions that have been nagging you
What you walk away with
A clear picture of what you own, what it costs and where it may not fit. If everything checks out, we’ll tell you so. If it doesn’t, we’ll show you why and what we’d look at changing. You decide what happens next.
We’re a fee-only fiduciary. You work directly with Paul, by appointment, by phone, video, or in person somewhere convenient for you. Fee-only, so we do better when you do better.
Your next step
- Ready for a second look? Book a call with Paul.
- Have a quick question first? Ask it anytime in the chat on this page.
- Want your investments to reflect your faith? Get the free Christian Investor’s Checklist.
This article is for education only and isn’t individual investment advice.
