EPISODE 129 – Key Reasons to Hire a Financial Planner

When should you hire a financial advisor? If you’re asking that question, you may already be closer to the answer than you think.

In Episode 129 of The Last Paycheck Podcast, Archie and Jimmy dive deep into the reasons people seek out financial planning support, the milestones that trigger those decisions, and what truly makes someone “ready” to hire a financial planner. Contrary to popular belief, financial advice isn’t just for the wealthy — it’s for anyone approaching complexity, transitions, or uncertainty in their financial life.

What It Really Means to “Be Ready”

Many people disqualify themselves before they ever make the call. They assume they don’t have enough money to justify working with an advisor, or they’re not sure what a planner even does. Archie and Jimmy walk through the key signs that someone is actually ready — and how much it matters to reach out before making costly decisions.

Here are a few readiness “trigger points” they explore:

  • Approaching a major transition: Retirement, job changes, buying a house, or handling a complex compensation package.
  • Facing higher financial stakes: As your net worth grows, so does the potential cost of poor decisions — and the benefit of good ones.
  • Wanting continuity for your spouse: If one partner handles the finances, it’s critical to establish a trusted resource before something happens.
  • Seeking help with estate planning: You know your goals for your legacy, but don’t know how to structure things correctly — or how to integrate them into your financial accounts.
  • Feeling overwhelmed or uncertain: Even if you’ve managed everything well so far, anxiety about the future can signal it’s time to bring in a professional.

Why Delegation Is a Superpower

One of the most common concerns new clients bring up is uncertainty — “I’m not sure if I even need this.” That hesitation is valid, but what often changes the equation is a willingness to delegate. A good financial planner helps reduce stress, structure long-term goals, and prevent emotionally driven mistakes.

Archie and Jimmy are candid about what makes a strong advisor-client relationship work:

  • Coachability: Are you open to advice and willing to act on it?
  • Collaboration: Are you ready to engage in a planning process that prioritizes your goals?
  • Commitment: Will you follow through and let the planner guide you through hard decisions?

Financial planning is not about beating the market. It’s about aligning your investments, goals, risks, taxes, and estate plan into one cohesive strategy.

Moving Beyond the Myths

Archie and Jimmy call out a persistent myth: that a planner’s job is to outperform the market. While strong investment strategy matters, it’s just one piece of the puzzle. A great advisor also:

  • Optimizes your tax position
  • Engineers sustainable income through retirement
  • Helps avoid emotional or behavioral missteps
  • Ensures your family is protected if something happens to you
  • Provides long-term strategy for wealth and legacy

In other words, it’s not just about growing your money — it’s about making your money work for your life.

Your Next Step: Get a Clear Picture

If you’re thinking about hiring a financial advisor, your first move should be to understand your current financial position. Download Hoxton’s Net Worth & Budget Worksheet to clarify where you stand — and to determine if you’re ready for next-level planning.

Your Next Step: Get a Clear Picture

If you’re thinking about hiring a financial advisor, your first move should be to understand your current financial position. Download Hoxton’s Net Worth & Budget Worksheet to clarify where you stand — and to determine if you’re ready for next-level planning.
Download the Worksheet
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.