Choosing the right financial advisor isn’t just about picking someone with a nice title or a slick website, but about finding someone you can trust with your life savings, your retirement, and your long-term security.
Unfortunately, not every advisor is working in your best interest.
Some push products that pay them more, avoid tough conversations, or disappear the moment markets get shaky. That’s a problem — and it’s why we’re seeing more families in Columbus asking: “Is my advisor actually serving me, or just selling to me?”
In this guide, we’ll walk through five signs your financial advisor might not be acting in your best interest, what to look for instead, and how to protect your future by partnering with someone who puts your goals first.
If you’ve ever had a gut feeling that something was off, this might help you trust it and find a better way forward.
Key Takeaways
- A fiduciary financial advisor in Columbus, GA, puts your best interests first, always.
- Transparency about fees, investments, and strategy is non-negotiable for a good financial advisor.
- Avoid advisors who push products you didn’t ask for or communicate only when you reach out.
- Personalized retirement planning must account for Columbus’s cost-of-living and tax factors.
- Ask smart questions for financial advisors to ensure you’re not missing red flags.
Red Flag #1: Your Advisor Isn’t a Fiduciary
One of the clearest signs your advisor may not be working in your best interest? They’re not a fiduciary.
A fiduciary financial advisor is legally and ethically required to act in your best interest at all times. They must not only recommend products they can justify, but help you make the smartest possible choices for your future. It’s a higher standard for financial advisors, and it matters more than most people realize.
Non-fiduciary advisors — especially those who work on commission — might steer you toward investments that benefit them more than you.
Think: expensive mutual funds, annuities with hefty fees, or insurance products with long surrender periods. Sure, these may have a place in some strategies to justify these investments, but without fiduciary accountability, you’re left guessing whose side they’re really on.
If you’re trying to find a good financial advisor in Columbus, GA, start by asking this one simple question: Are you a fiduciary 100% of the time?
At Momentum Wealth, we believe your advisor should be in your corner — no not-so-obvious commissions, no hidden incentives, just clear advice built around your goals, not someone else’s agenda.
Red Flag #2: You Don’t Understand Where Your Money Is Going
If your advisor can’t clearly explain where your money is, how it’s working for you, or what you’re paying in fees… that’s a problem.
A good advisor doesn’t hide behind jargon or push you to “just trust the process.” You deserve a straightforward, transparent plan that breaks down your portfolio, shows how it’s aligned with your goals, and clearly outlines how taxes, fees, and risk are being managed.
That clarity is especially important for Columbus residents planning for retirement. If you’re entering the decumulation phase — where your investments need to start paying you — every percentage point matters. A lack of transparency can cost you in taxes, fees, and missed opportunities.
Asking smart questions for your financial advisor should be encouraged, not brushed off. At Momentum Wealth, we believe you should never feel in the dark about your finances. We walk you through the why behind every investment, how it supports your income needs, and how we’ll adjust over time.
The best plans are the ones you actually understand and can stick to.
Red Flag #3: They Push Products You Didn’t Ask For
If your advisor keeps recommending annuities, insurance products, or proprietary funds that you never expressed interest in — maybe it’s time to pause and reflect on the relationship.
Too often, commission-based advisors earn money not for giving the best advice, but for selling products.
That misalignment means their recommendations may serve their bottom line, not yours. And when you don’t fully understand the product or why you need it, you could end up locked into something expensive and unnecessary.
That’s exactly why finding a good financial advisor near you who puts your goals first is so important, especially during critical life stages like retirement planning.
When you work with a fiduciary financial advisor in Columbus, GA, you can trust that every recommendation is based on your needs — not theirs. At Momentum Wealth, we believe financial advice should feel like a conversation, not a sales pitch.
If your advisor’s recommendations feel more like a product catalog than a plan, that’s a red flag you probably shouldn’t ignore.
Red Flag #4: There’s No Real Plan for Your Future
If your advisor can’t show you a clear, documented plan for how your money will support your retirement — that’s a problem. A good retirement strategy is equally about growing wealth as it is about knowing how that wealth will turn into reliable, tax-efficient income for decades to come.
Unfortunately, many advisors rely on generic projections or templated “plans” that don’t reflect your specific situation. But if you live in Columbus, your specific cost of living, tax landscape, and personal lifestyle goals matter.
Without those local variables baked into the plan, it’s not really a plan — it’s a guess.
This is where working with a retirement planner in Columbus, GA, who takes a fiduciary approach makes a major difference. You need a partner who builds with intention, factoring in everything from local healthcare costs and state taxes to your future travel, family support, and legacy goals.
At Momentum Wealth, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter financial plans. We deliver real retirement income strategies tailored to your goals and grounded in Columbus-specific realities, because your future deserves more than a vague chart or a one-size-fits-all solution.
Red Flag #5: You Only Hear From Them When You Reach Out
If you only hear from your financial advisor when you initiate the conversation, that’s not a relationship; that’s a transaction.
A good financial advisor should proactively keep you informed, regularly check in on your goals, and alert you to opportunities or risks as markets change. Retirement planning isn’t a one-and-done exercise. It’s a dynamic process that requires ongoing communication and adjustments.
Clients who work with proactive, relationship-focused financial advisors tend to feel more confident and in control — not forgotten or reactive. Your advisor should be a steady partner, helping you navigate life’s transitions and ensuring your plan evolves with you.
One simple test? Ask yourself: When was the last time my advisor reached out to me just to check in — not to sell something?
If you don’t have a good answer, it may be time to start asking better questions for your financial advisor, or consider a better partner.
What a Good Financial Advisor Actually Looks Like
Now that you’ve seen the red flags, let’s talk about what the right financial advisor looks like:
Transparency at Every Step
A good financial advisor explains things clearly. You know where your money is, how it’s invested, what you’re paying, and why. No vague language, no surprise fees.
Fiduciary Commitment
A fiduciary financial advisor puts your interests first. That means no pushing high-commission products or steering you toward decisions that benefit them more than you.
Personalized Planning
Your life, goals, and retirement timeline are unique. The right advisor tailors your plan accordingly and keeps refining it as life changes.
Local Knowledge That Matters
Taxes, cost of living, and income strategies look different in Columbus, GA, than in larger metro areas. A good financial advisor near you understands the local nuances that impact your money.
At Momentum Wealth, we combine all of the above to help clients build confident retirement plans. Whether you’re nearing retirement or just need a second opinion, we’re here to offer clear, customized, and proactive financial guidance.
Want to know how to find a good financial advisor who’s actually on your side? Let’s have that conversation.
Don’t Settle for Less
If you’ve noticed even one of these red flags in your financial advisor relationship, it’s time to ask some hard questions. You’ve worked too long and saved too hard to settle for generic advice, high-fee products, or someone who only checks in when it’s convenient.
Whether you’re planning your next move, entering retirement, or just want a second opinion, having the right advisor can make all the difference.
At Momentum Wealth, we believe in straight answers, fulfilling our fiduciary duty, and working with clients to create financial plans that are built for their lives. If you’re ready for a more proactive, transparent approach to managing your wealth, we’re here to help.
Schedule your free consultation today, and let’s see how we can build a plan that works for you and doesn’t leave you wondering what’s happening on the other end.