Imagine being able to speak freely about the things you would like to accomplish financially in your life without having your thoughts used against you as a sales tool. Imagine a world where you could get unbiased financial advice and guidance from an advisor who doesn't begin with the end in mind. Just imagine how much better off you could be in the long run without a portfolio full of expensive mutual funds and variable annuities. Imagine being able to look at your investment portfolio and understand exactly what you own and why. Imagine a world you could get investment advice on all of your investments as one portfolio even if they are not on deposit with your advisor. Imagine a world where you could actually separate advice from investing. Finally, imagine how much better you would feel if you could totally trust the financial advice and guidance you are receiving.
These are not "pie in the sky" imaginings. You just have to be able to identify the difference between a financial "sales person" and a true "financial practitioner". The sales person provides advice as an incidental part of their real job of selling investment products. A financial practitioner provides financial advice and guidance as the product. The easiest way to identify the difference is to ask your advisor, how are you compensated? Are you paid to sell investments or provide advice? Beware if the answer is, "both".
Imagine the long-term benefits of getting advice you can trust.