Those of you who are living from paycheck to paycheck, those who look at their bank accounts with one eye closed to fruitlessly avoid the horror within, or those of us who just seem to never have any money at all are all looking for solutions for all your financial woes. In the internet age, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different resources relating to financial advice, but which is the one you can actually trust?
Background Checks
Or should that be background cheques? Probably not, but while you don’t need to hire a private investigator to doggedly spy on the websites or resources you are getting advice from, you can still take their history into consideration.
Factors such as comments from previous clients or readers will give you a fundamental idea of whether or not these places are trustworthy. Furthermore, you can see how often the site is updated; whether or not they are demanding payment for every little bit of advice you might receive which might be a sign of something shady going on. Paying financial advisors is not unusual, but if they are charging you more money than they are helping you save, then it might be time to move on.
Room With A Review
Reviews have proven to be highly beneficial in determining whether or not a business or service is trustworthy. Typically, those who are most reliable will be flooded with five- and four-star reviews. Furthermore, you can find reviews from independent sources, such as this review of broker Plus500 or this review of an options broker by business24-7, that can give you a decent idea of how trustworthy a company is. However, it is not always that simple.
The problem with the internet is that you have to trust the word of whoever wrote it. This system has demonstrated less-than-truthful examples in the past, whether it be competitors looking to slander or merely the odd person having a bad experience in an ocean of relatively excellent experiences for others. Entering into any agreement with caution and even getting others to check and double check for inconsistencies will help you establish whether or not this advice is right for you.
Use Your Head
The idea of trusting your gut is an idea for a reason. While you may miss the target everyone once in a while, you can typically understand whether or not something, or someone, is to be trusted right off the bat.
If there is a niggling voice in the back of your head screaming NO, then it might be wise to trust your instincts. Even if the service turns out to be completely transparent, the stress and anxiety of being taken for a ride if worth it in the end. When it comes to your finances, there is no such thing as being too careful, and too many people have fallen foul of charlatans posing as financial saviours, only to disappear into the dust when things start going awry.
Trustworthy
You don’t need to treat every resource and platform with total mistrust. However, being smart about who and what you trust with your money is something that you should not take for granted. There are so many different options available that some are bound to be less than legitimate. Above all, do your homework, don’t rush in, and take your time to find out what service is right for you. In doing this, you shouldn’t have to worry about being led down a path to financial ruin.
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