It’s not that they’re lazy. Or reckless. Or careless. They’re actually doing everything they think is right—maxing out their 401(k), saving regularly, keeping their debt in check, avoiding big financial mistakes.
But what I’ve seen—over and over—is this: The most costly mistakes aren’t the obvious ones. They’re the ones you didn’t even know to look for.
And that’s the danger.
Because we live in a world full of advice. And while some of it’s helpful, a lot of it is noisy, confusing, or just flat-out misaligned with your best interest.
The question isn’t just where you’re getting advice. The real question is: Who are you listening to—and how do you know they have your back?
A Conversation That Hit Me
I was in Scottsdale in 2025, looking at some potential development sites. A few sharp guys were with me—successful, smart, and experienced in their fields.
Naturally, we got into a conversation about investing, risk, and how people make decisions when the stakes are high.
One of them said something that stuck with me:
“Some people are capable of managing their own money. But most people benefit from help.”
I agreed—but added something that really hit home:
“Yeah—but the real issue is, most people don’t even realize they’re not doing the right things. Not because they’re not smart… but because they don’t even know what questions to ask.”
It’s not about intelligence. It’s about awareness, perspective, and experience.
You can be great at what you do—building a career, managing your family, growing your income—but that doesn’t automatically mean you’ve got the expertise or bandwidth to build a long-term financial strategy.
And if you’re operating off assumptions, guesswork, or outdated information… it can cost you. A lot.
The Advice Industry Has a Problem
Years ago, I interned at a big-name financial firm—one of those companies everyone recognizes.
What I saw inside was disappointing, but not surprising.
Fast-forward to when I was opening a bank account at another major institution. While I was sitting with the banker, she casually offered to move some of my cash into an “investment product.”
I started asking a few questions—basic stuff about fees, what it invests in, how it works.
She didn’t have the answers. And I realized immediately: it was a high-commission annuity being sold under the guise of a “safe investment.”
So I asked her, “Do you or your husband invest in this?”
She paused… and admitted: “No.”
I followed up with, “Then why are you recommending it to me?”
Her answer was honest—and alarming.
“This is how I get paid. This is what we’re told to push.”
That moment stuck with me.
She wasn’t being unethical. She wasn’t breaking any rules. She was just doing her job. The problem is, her job wasn’t aligned with my best interest—it was aligned with hitting quotas and selling product.
And in my experience, this kind of thing happens often.
Not just in finance, either.
This Isn’t Just About Money
You see the same pattern in other industries too.
There are personal trainers who truly change people’s lives—and others who hand out cookie-cutter plans. There are doctors who go the extra mile—and others who just check the boxes. There are nutritionists, therapists, coaches, and consultants who really care—and some who are just in it for the transaction.
The same goes for financial advisors.
There are some who sell high-commission products, lock people into plans they don’t fully understand, and disappear once the deal is done.
And then there are fiduciaries—people who sit on the same side of the table as you, help you define your goals, build a strategy around your life, and act in your best interest at every step.
Knowing the difference is everything.
Ask These Questions Before You Take Anyone’s Advice
Before you trust someone with your money, your time, or your future—ask yourself:
- Do they work with people like me and get real results? If they don’t live in your world or help people with your challenges, how can they offer real solutions?
- How are they compensated? Are they paid to give advice—or to sell products? Incentives shape behavior.
- Do they have a process—or just opinions? The best professionals have structure, systems, and strategies. Not just theories.
- Would they take their own advice? If they wouldn’t do it themselves, why should you?
So… Should You Get Help?
Here’s the truth: some people don’t need outside help. They’re wired to study, analyze, and manage all the moving parts. They’ve got the time, interest, and skill to figure it out.
But most high-earning professionals I meet—especially those in tech, biotech, and healthcare—are balancing a lot: Stock comp, RSUs, ESPPs, scattered retirement accounts, rising taxes, growing families, and uncertain markets.
They’re smart. They’re successful. But they’re also stretched thin. And that's where having the right plan, the right team, and a process that fits your life can save you years of frustration—and real money over time.
Plan Right. Live Better. — Mateo Dellovo
— Mateo