Beware of online financial stories or articles, the titles of which are designed to appear as responses to a persons’ financial question. The title of these articles might read like this, “My wife and I are 65 years old, how much do we need to safely retire?" This “article” is actually a marketing ploy by a creative “referral generation” marketing organization. While the information contained in the article is often reasonably accurate, the content is designed with something else in mind.
That something else is the “door” they want you to open. It is a questionnaire you are requested to fill out to be connected with one of their “advisors”. It looks something like this: “If you’re ready to be matched with local advisors that can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.”
This may be good or it may not. Just be aware that the “advisors” you are being linked to are not there because they have been vetted and qualified as competent financial advisors. Rather, they are on the list because they are willing to pay upwards of $1,500 for your name and contact information. They will do this because you are indicating that you are interested in speaking to a new financial advisor.
Most people who read these articles are not aware of the ulterior motive of these articles. I probably read five or ten of these articles before I realized what was going on. The creators of these articles are very good at getting you to open the door. It’s “buyer beware”. You are being led to a financial firm for a price. If you do agree to meet with one of their financial advisors, you should go in with your eyes open and ask all of the same vetting and qualification questions you would any other prospective advisor.