Jill on Money with Jill Schlesinger Finding a Financial Advisor
Nov 10, 2025
Jackie, a New York City listener, seeks help to find a fiduciary financial advisor after accumulating substantial cash savings and retirement assets. She feels overwhelmed and unsure where to start. Jill guides her through understanding the reasons for her large cash reserves and the importance of investment diversification. They discuss what Jackie wants in an advisor, emphasizing the need for transparency and trustworthy guidance. Jill also shares practical tips on finding the right advisor and the challenges faced by planners with mid-level assets.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Find A Fiduciary And Use Referrals
- Do seek a fiduciary financial planner who prioritizes your best interest and won't push products you don't need.
- Ask for referrals from friends, CPAs, or coworkers and use the CFP Board as a starting vetting tool.
Caller’s Big Cash Pile And Conservative Setup
- Jackie had $575,000 sitting in savings plus $500,000 in a 401(k) and $90,000 in a Vanguard brokerage account.
- She maxes her 401(k), earns $135,000, pays low rent, and feels comfortable but unsure what to do next.
Put Excess Cash To Work Intentionally
- Do evaluate why large cash balances sit in low-yield savings and convert excess cash into an investment plan.
- Review contributions, emergency cushion, and HSA investing before allocating the rest to diversified investments.