Is this advisor database real? And general help finding an advisor

[markf]

I've been following ER for a long time and finally decided to make an account. I'm looking for a financial advisor and could use advice. I'm 40 and here is my financial situation:

$800k in a brokerage account (QQQ and some international ETFs)
$500k in 401k/IRAs
$300k in home equity (I have a 3% rate so I'm in no rush there)
$100k in my buddy's startup that will probably go to zero

I don't really have a strong network to turn to for financial advice. I'm the only one in my family who has made it out of my hometown, and my siblings (and most of my friends too tbh) aren't too good with money.

My question is, how do I found a financial advisor? I went through Dave Ramsey Smartviser had a bad experience with someone who called me and gave off salesman energy. I've checked out www.napfa.org and Fee-only network as well, I'm meeting with someone from there next week. I also found this site from reddit which seems to have the fee information of every advisor in the country, which seems impossible. Has anyone heard of this? Find a Financial Advisor | TrueAdvisor.

I'm mostly looking for someone to to tell me when I can let off the gas and semi retire. I have a stressful job and it would be nice to spend more time with my family and enjoy my hobbies. I could easily transition to a freelance role in my current job, making about half my current income, which atm is $250k. I live in a HCOL area.

 

[mrfeh]

It's much simpler to rely on yourself. Managing investments is not difficult.

Start here: https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Bogleheads®_investing_start-up_kit

 

[Kings over Queens]

I'm mostly looking for someone to to tell me when I can let off the gas and semi retire. I have a stressful job and it would be nice to spend more time with my family and enjoy my hobbies. I could easily transition to a freelance role in my current job, making about half my current income, which atm is $250k. I live in a HCOL area.

I can't help with finding an advisor but if you do go that route, make sure you know all your numbers and the plan in semi retirement. At 40, and the savings you showed, you are on the way, but still a long way to go. Granted, I don't know anything about your expenses but NYC Metro is certainly a HCOL area, and a buck and quarter (half of 250) doesn't get it done.

My perspective, slow and steady wins the race. Keep doing what you're doing. You've got a good amount saved thus far, and that will keep growing.

If you were to pursue professional assistance, I'd be inclined to focus on a fee only hourly basis person, because you don't need someone to manage assets and pay a fee for AUM.

 

[markf]

I can't help with finding an advisor but if you do go that route, make sure you know all your numbers and the plan in semi retirement. At 40, and the savings you showed, you are on the way, but still a long way to go. Granted, I don't know anything about your expenses but NYC Metro is certainly a HCOL area, and a buck and quarter (half of 250) doesn't get it done.

My perspective, slow and steady wins the race. Keep doing what you're doing. You've got a good amount saved thus far, and that will keep growing.

If you were to pursue professional assistance, I'd be inclined to focus on a fee only hourly basis person, because you don't need someone to manage assets and pay a fee for AUM.

Thanks for the advice! My wife agrees with you

 

[Sunset]

You could start tracking your expenses, so you know exactly what you spend per year.

After all, if you spend $40K /year, then you can drop to earning $125k /yr right now. But if you spend $200K/yr then it could be a long time before you drop the earnings.

You haven't mentioned does your spouse work ? Children to go to College ? Will you get SS and a pension ?

 

[dobig]

How much income do you need your portfolio to generate in order to switch over to a freelance role making half you current salary?

The only part of your portfolio you'll be able to access due to your age is your taxable brokerage. Just eyeballing your numbers along with your location the last thing I would be doing is paying a FA 1% to help you with a plan.

Number one on your list is figuring out expenses. Not guesstimating. Doing a deep dive looking at bank and credit card statements. Once you have that number, all the other numbers are much easier to figure out.