There are no silly questions, and you are probably not going to surprise your adviser – we have heard most things before.
Be prepared:
- Go into the meeting with a list of what you own – house, car, savings, super and other investments, and what insurance you have
- Take a list of what you owe on your mortgage, credit cards, personal loans, car leases or any other debts
- Know how much you earn and how much you spend
- Think about your goals – do you want to pay off your mortgage sooner, save and plan for retirement, pay for your children’s education or make the most of a financial windfall like an inheritance
Most importantly, you should walk out of the meeting:
- Feeling that you have been listened to
- Understanding the service the adviser will provide
- Knowing what the advice does and does not cover
- Having a clear idea of how much the advice will cost
If you are not happy with your adviser, it is ok to change advisers.