[lookout123]

to sell books. her method to ensure that she sells more books is to scare people about the horrors one is sure to find if they talk to one of those dirty evil thieving financial advisors. her big things are that if you read her books you don't need a broker. i'm the first to say you don't need a broker IF you are willing to go out and learn what a good advisor knows, are willing and able to pick good from bad investments, are willing and able to create good financial plans, willing and able to follow through on it, willing and able to track all the moving pieces that are part of a total financial package. BUT she leaves it at "you don't need an advisor, here read my new book" and people end up getting hosed over because they think they need to know all there is to know about what i do after reading a book.

i usually point out to people that they aren't paying me for buying or selling a stock anymore than they are paying the doctor to write a prescription, a tax professional for filling out forms, or an attorney for standing next to you in the court room. you are paying for professional expertise. you are paying for the time and effort the professional puts into increasing their knowledge and expertise so that they are able to handle all of your complex problems.

oh and she usually forgets to point out that she used to be a broker at merrill lynch until she figured out she'd make more selling books and hosting DIY seminars.