Years ago I hired a lawyer, Jerry Hill to represent me in an auto accident-
He wanted me to hold out for more money than I thought was honest. He wanted me to pretend to be more injured than I was.
There was a very ugly scene in the mediation when I disregarded his directions and settled.
I then wrote a bad review of him on yelp. He threatened legal action.
Since I was living in Mexico at the time, I said, “go ahead – Make mi dia– get an extradition treaty.”
Obviously he didn’t, but he did complain to yelp and got them to remove the review.
What I said was true but that never stopped anyone from crying slander, especially not a lawyer!
As readers may know, after my mother’s death I invested my money, inheritance and savings, with Kindra Sailers at Best Financial and Insurance Solutions.
I was not in a good mental state. Besides the death, job, marriage, home and family had all dissolved in a confluence of disasters.
Kindra confided in me and became my friend (I thought) I trusted her completely.
Three years later I want to three different Certified Financial Planner (CFP®) in Utah.
They went over my finances and we discovered that my investments were very bad for me.
It took me a long time to believe that.
However even the most gullible, when faced with numbers and understandable explanations must understand.
I wrote a blog
and have posted various warnings for a few reasons.
Mostly I wanted others to avoid my mistakes – Stay away from people who do not have a long track record and only have minimal licenses-
Kinda holds a 65 Securities license. – This requires ONE exam!
Even becoming a hairdresser requires a 9-month educational program …which is 9 months more than a 65 Securities license
Series 65
“In other words, the sad reality is that meeting the legal registration/licensing requirements to become a financial advisor is simply about understanding the relevant laws and products, and never actually involves demonstrating any competency in financial advice itself. Educational programs in financial planning and advice, and certifications like the CFP marks (or post-CFP educational programs beyond that), are purely optional, and while they are viewed as a “best practice” for advisors to have, the only actual requirement is a fairly minimal licensing exam. Which means there’s actually no such thing as a certified financial advisor (just a licensed financial advisor who has voluntarily completed the Certified Financial Planner designation), and you can technically become a financial advisor with no experience at all!
If you want a planner, you need to find a CFP – certified financial planner or a ChFC – Chartered Financial Consultant. They are trained to help you make the best investment decisions.
The best is a CFP or ChFC who is also a RIA – registered investment advisor.
Sadly, almost anyone can call themselves a “Financial Advisor”.
I had been a CPA for many years with little knowledge that there were significant differences between those who call themselves “financial advisors”.”
All the CFP’s as well as the California Commission told me – That what Kindra does is not illegal – it’s just not good practice. It’s unsavory and (in my opinion) immoral, but legal.
FYI-
Annuity sales people are coached to say you can “Participate” in the stock market.
That word is all important – it means if the market goes up (or too far down) you will not see gains because of the caps on your account.
If the caps are low are, it means NO GAIN for you… but you are still “participating” in the market.
Here are things to look for when getting financial advice, I’ve learned the hard way!
Look for CFP’s with a long history and addition education!
Avoid anyone with a single license.
Be wary of people who take commission up front. Good financial advisors take a percentage on profits, so their fortunes are tied to yours.
Be careful if they make everything seem impossibly complex. Good CFPs explain everything so that it is understandable.
They can give you a broad range of options. People A single license Cannot.
If this information can help a single person not lose money, it’s been worth writing.