5 Signs Your Financial Advisor Might Be Failing You (SB1783)

Jan 1, 2026

As the new year rolls in, it's the perfect time to assess your financial advisor. The hosts spotlight five warning signs that suggest an advisor might be more self-interested than client-focused. Poor communication, vague fees, and confusing jargon can hint at deeper issues. They stress the importance of humility in advisors and the value of a supportive office culture. Plus, hear some entertaining trivia and breakfast chaos! It’s a must-listen for anyone wanting to ensure their financial guidance is truly aligned with their goals.

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ADVICE

Favor Independence But Check Incentives

Prefer independent advisors when you want a team-first, goal-focused practice rather than firm-driven product pushes.
Vet alignment: big firms can have shareholder incentives that influence recommendations.

INSIGHT

Advisors Should Manage Relationships Not Trade

Outsourcing specialized tasks (like individual stock picking) can be prudent if others have better resources.
An advisor's core role is relationship management and goal planning, not acting as a specialist trader.

INSIGHT

Humility Trumps Know-It-Alls

Humility matters: advisors who insist they must know everything are warning signs of poor client care.
Great advisors build teams and refer specialists rather than pretending to be experts at everything.

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New year, clean slate, and maybe time for a closer look at the person managing your money.

Joe Saul-Sehy and OG kick off 2026 by answering the question many Stackers quietly wonder about: Is my financial advisor actually good at their job?

Rather than talking theory or credentials, they break down five real-world red flags that signal an advisor might be more focused on products, commissions, or their own ego than on your goals. These are the subtle warning signs you'll never see in a glossy brochure but you'll absolutely feel over time.

The 5 red flags: • Poor communication that keeps you in the dark • Office culture that feels off • Confusing jargon (often a feature, not a bug) • Unclear or hidden fees • Products over process

Plus: Doug's Italian food trivia, New Year's breakfast burrito chaos, and a reminder that you're allowed to expect clarity and respect.

Question for you: What's the biggest green flag or red flag you've seen from a financial advisor? Share in the comments—your story might help another Stacker avoid a costly mistake.

The Red Flags Your Financial Advisor Hopes You Miss

New year, clean slate, and maybe a closer look at the person helping you manage your money.

In this episode of The Stacking Benjamins Show, Joe Saul-Sehy and OG kick off the year by pulling back the curtain on a question many Stackers quietly wonder about: Is my financial advisor actually good at their job?

Rather than talking theory or credentials, the guys break down five real-world red flags that signal an advisor might be more focused on products, commissions, or their own ego than on your goals. These are the subtle warning signs you'll never see in a glossy brochure but you'll absolutely feel them over time.

From how an advisor communicates (or doesn't), to what their office culture tells you, to why confusing jargon is often a feature not a bug, this episode gives you practical ways to evaluate whether your advisor is truly on your team.

And because this is Stacking Benjamins, the serious stuff is balanced with laughs, a little New Year's chaos, and Doug's trivia detour into Italian food.

If you've ever wondered whether you should stay, ask better questions, or quietly run for the exit, this episode gives you the confidence to decide.

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:

The top five red flags that signal a subpar financial advisor
Why great advisors focus on process and goals, not hot products
How poor communication quietly sabotages your financial progress
What an advisor's office environment and staff behavior can reveal
Why unclear fees and excessive jargon should make you nervous
How to check public records without feeling overwhelmed

ALSO IN THIS EPISODE: A fresh start to the year with breakfast burritos, Doug's trivia break on Italian food, a reminder that you are allowed to expect clarity and respect, plus community updates and what's coming next.

HERE'S A QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT: What's the biggest green flag or red flag you've seen from a financial advisor? Share your experience in Spotify comments or bring it to the Basement Facebook group. Your story might help another Stacker avoid a costly mistake.

Because the right advisor doesn't just manage money. They help you sleep better at night.

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