Why a Financial Advisor Makes the Best Copilot

I don’t need to recap any of the recent tariff and trade news. I’m sure all of my dedicated readers (ha!) already know what I’m talking about. It’s been a year of market swings, surprise headlines, and more than a few financial curveballs.

If 2025 has taught us anything, it’s that the ride can get bumpy without much warning. And when that happens, it really helps to have someone in the passenger seat—a financial advisor who knows the map, watches the gauges, and helps you stay on course no matter the turbulence.

I can think of a few conversations we had with clients:

Grant's Unexpected Retirement

Grant was planning to retire in 2–3 years. Then, out of the blue, he got laid off. He asked us:

“Do I need to start job hunting immediately? Can I take some time off? Maybe retire now? What should I do with my severance?”

We met with Grant a couple of times to review his plan. Turns out, he could retire right then. Grant wasn’t glued to the news every day, stressing about his finances. Instead, he’s out there enjoying life.

A Retiree's Cash Flow Concern

Another client, retired for about three years, called during the market chaos. Her question:

“How many months of cash do I have to get through this?”

We revisited our cash policy: three months of "mailbox money" in liquid cash. Then we discussed where to raise cash next when that runs out (spoiler: bonds!). A quick 15-minute call, and she felt reassured.

Young Clients Seizing Opportunities

For some of our younger clients, we completed their Roth IRA contributions for the year, buying into the stock market during the dip. Now, all that growth is tax-free.

Strategic Rebalancing

We’ve helped numerous clients rebalance their portfolios—buying low and selling high, just like everyone aims to do.

The Value of Financial Advisors

As an advisor there are many years when clients don’t think we earn our fees, and we understand that gripe. But I can argue about the many times that we do (and I like to think our clients would too!), and how that dollar amount, or comfort, has been worth well more than the fees.