Everybody wants to be rich, or at least well off. But one thing most people don't realize is that while having a lot of money does mean a lot more opportunities and choices, it also means more work. Taking care of your money is an important aspect of having money. Many people don't understand that. In order to protect, and grow, your assets, no matter how much money you have, you will need to find someone who is qualified to provide independent financial advice.
That doesn't mean that you hand it all over to them and walk away, you need to always be in the loop when it comes to your money.
Most people won't have the time, or inclination, to learn all they need to know about investing their money. There are so many different ways you can go: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, etc. that the average person can't possibly be expected to keep it all straight. That's where a professional will come in to play.
One of the first things you can do to find a professional to help you with your money is to ask your friends, family, and coworkers for recommendations. Ask the people you trust, who they trust with their money.
You could also go online to find someone. This option probably isn't the best choice for most people. Even though you hire someone, you are only hiring them to help you, not to do it all for you. It's important that you are very involved in every aspect of your finances and for that reason hiring someone online, who doesn't live or work in your area, may not be the best option.
At this point you may be totally confused, don't be. The most important thing you can do is to be an active participant in not only choosing your advisor but also when working with your advisor. Don't ever make the mistake of just handing everything over to them and only communicating with them a few times a year. It's your money and you have the right, and the obligation, to keep tabs on how your money is doing. Make sure whatever independent financial advice you get that the advisor is not only qualified and trustworthy but that it's also someone you feel comfortable working closely with.