Doing it yourself works—until life gets more complicated. A CFP® can help with everything from long-term planning to catching paperwork mistakes, updating beneficiaries, and even securing lower margin rates or waived fees from custodians. It’s about making your financial world easier and more secure.

Why Even DIY Investors Can Benefit from Working with a Financial Advisor

With all the financial tools and apps available today, managing your own money can feel totally doable. And for many people, the do-it-yourself approach works well, at least for a while.

But when you start thinking about long-term planning, major life changes, or the people who rely on you, having a trusted Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) in your corner can add a level of clarity and support that online tools simply can’t match.

Here’s why partnering with a planner, even as a confident DIY investor, can be a smart move.

A Fiduciary Who Puts You First

CFP® professionals are required to act in your best interest. Not every advisor can say that.

When you’re making decisions that affect your financial future, and the future of anyone who depends on you, you want advice that’s unbiased, thoughtful, and truly aligned with your goals.

A Relationship Built on Trust (and Real Understanding)

One of the biggest benefits of working with a financial planner is the relationship that builds over time.

Your CFP® gets to know how you think, what you value, what motivates you, and what you want your money to accomplish. So when life happens, career shifts, health issues, caregiving responsibilities, retirement decisions, you have someone who already understands your full financial picture and can help you adjust smoothly.

Help with the Big “What-Ifs”

Even the savviest DIY investors don’t always have time to dive deep into topics like:

Beneficiary mistakes that cause delays or taxes

Tax-efficient withdrawal strategies

Coordinating employer benefits and retirement plans

Keeping estate documents aligned with your wishes

Being prepared for unexpected life events

A CFP® helps you stay ahead of these issues instead of reacting to them later.

Practical Help with Account Administration

Here’s an area many DIY investors don’t think about until they’re knee-deep in paperwork: ongoing account maintenance. A financial planner can take a lot of administrative tasks off your plate, such as:

Helping consolidate old retirement accounts

Making sure transfers, rollovers, and trustee-to-trustee moves are done correctly

Coordinating required minimum distributions (RMDs)

Assisting with asset titling, beneficiary updates, and account setup for loved ones

These are the types of tasks that seem small but can easily become time-consuming, and/or costly, if done incorrectly.

Negotiating Better Terms with Custodians

Here’s something many investors don’t realize: experienced advisory firms often have visibility, tools, and leverage that individual investors don’t. Your CFP® may be able to negotiate or request better account terms on your behalf, including:

Lower margin interest rates
Some custodians offer reduced rates to clients working with advisory firms due to volume and long-term relationships.

Waived mutual fund transaction fees
Advisors often have access to institutional share classes or relationships that let clients avoid certain trading costs.

Reduced or waived investment minimums
Certain institutional share classes, alternative investments, or portfolios may only be accessible because you’re working with a firm that meets those minimums at the firm-wide level.

Better access to service teams
Advisors typically work with dedicated, higher-tier service lines at custodians, meaning faster resolution when something goes wrong.

These advantages aren’t advertised on an app, but they can save real money and significant time.

Support for the People Who Matter to You

Another huge benefit of having a planner is continuity. If there comes a time when you can’t manage your own financial life, or someone else needs to step in, your CFP® already knows your situation and your intentions.

Whether the people you care about include a spouse, partner, children, relatives, or other dependents, your planner can help guide them through decisions with confidence and compassion.

A Partner for the Long Haul

You don’t need to give up your DIY mindset to benefit from a professional. A CFP® can be a sounding board, a second set of eyes, and an advocate working behind the scenes to make your financial life easier and more efficient.

If you’ve been handling everything on your own, now might be a great time to explore what it’s like to have a knowledgeable partner in your corner, helping you strengthen your plan, protect your future, and support the people who matter most.

Why DIY Investors Should Consider Hiring a Certified Financial Planner