By Antonio Porretta
Do you want to hear a tightly guarded secret? Working with a financial advisor is one of the leading causes of financial success. Okay, maybe that secret wasn’t earth-shattering, but the amount of people that actually take advantage of this is still staggeringly small. Most people think that a financial advisor is someone who helps the ultra-wealthy. This just isn’t the case. Many advisors work with a diversity of clients from many different backgrounds, all working toward the same goal—avoiding financial mistakes and realizing future goals.
You probably remember the first time you sat down with your advisor and the stress you felt about trusting someone with your financial future. Hopefully by now you’ve learned the confidence that comes with this partnership. But even if you have confidence about your wealth, it doesn’t mean your close friends and family have confidence about their wealth.
Do you know people you love that are carrying the stress of their finances alone? You have the ability to share with them the confidence you have gained by offering them the financial support system you’ve found.
When a Financial Advisor Can Help
Even if your friends or family feel confident in their finances, they may not realize the common mistakes they’re making or the investment opportunities they’re missing out on. A financial advisor can look at every piece of your finances and help you understand the larger picture of how to achieve true financial security.
A financial advisor can help you navigate common life events, like:
- Significant changes to income
- Marriage or divorce
- Buying or selling a house
- Having a child
- Planning for higher education
- Severe disability or illness
- Passing of a spouse
- Transition to retirement
- Questions about investments
- Questions about insurance
- Questions about tax-management strategies
- Legacy planning for heirs
Choose Your Advisor Carefully
It’s never too late to hire an advisor, and no matter what season of life you’re in, you can reap the benefits an advisor provides. That being said, hiring the right advisor is a task that should not be taken lightly. There are many different certifications, designations, and licenses in the financial services industry, each with their own education and experience requirements. Be sure you know exactly who you’re hiring before signing on the dotted line.
The CFP® certification is commonly regarded as the industry gold standard, but CFA®, Chartered Investment Counselor (CIC), and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®) are also highly sought-after designations.
Do You Know Someone We Can Help?
Our goal at Blackbridge Financial is to design a holistic plan that connects you with your future. Whether it’s unwinding mistakes of the past or setting your sights on retirement, we’re committed to seeing you succeed. And we hope we’ve earned the trust for us to help your loved ones work toward their own financial confidence as well. If you, or someone you love, is ready to take that step, email me at [email protected] or call 704.960.9646.
About Antonio
Antonio Porretta is an independent wealth manager at Blackbridge Financial with over 20 years of experience. He specializes in helping people create, distribute, and preserve their wealth. Antonio received an executive MBA from Saunders College of Business at Rochester Institute of Technology in 2007 and also holds the Accredited Asset Management Specialist℠, AAMS® designation. Originally from Rochester, NY, Antonio has been a resident of Harrisburg, NC, since 2007. Outside of work, he enjoys playing soccer and tennis, coaching, and spending time with his wife, Laura, and their children, Cristiano, Victoria, and Matteo. To learn more about Antonio and how he can make a difference in your financial life, visit www.blackbridgefinancial.com.
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Securities are offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC.
Blackbridge Financial is an other business name of Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC. All investment advice is offered through Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC, a registered investment adviser. Independent Advisor Alliance, LLC is a separate entity from LPL Financial.