There is a lot more to creating a financial plan than just picking the right investments.  A financial advisor or wealth manager can not only help you plan for your goals, but he/she can also educate you and encourage you as you work toward them, providing explanation, education, and helping to manage investor expectations and behavior.  They can help you steer clear of not-so-savvy market behaviors and avoid the “big mistake” and other financial pitfalls that you might not even be aware are there.  A 2019 Vanguard study estimated that the value of a financial advisor can add as much as 3% in potential value to an investor, with a combination of strategies the financial advisor can provide.* Research also shows that people who work with a financial advisor generally feel more confident about their finances and feel more prepared for retirement.