How Can I Protect Myself from Bad Financial Advice on the Internet?

In recent years, the media has been filled with news about financial topics, from stock market trends to personal finance advice. Unfortunately, in some cases, this information is incomplete, outdated, or simply incorrect. As a financial advisor, I feel it is important to set the record straight and clear up some of the most common misconceptions about finances.

Firstly, social media can be an incredible source of information, but it can also be a dangerous place to get financial advice. Unfortunately, there is an abundance of bad financial advice on popular platforms like TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook. This bad advice can range from unrealistic get-rich-quick schemes to bad investments that could leave you worse off than when you started.

To help protect yourself from bad financial advice on social media, here are a few tips:

• Do your own research: Before you follow any advice from social media, take the time to do your due diligence. Read up on the topic and understand the potential risks and rewards.
  
  

• Trust your instincts: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Don't be afraid to trust your gut and stay away from any advice that doesn't sound right.

• Be wary of unverified advice: Be careful of advice from people who are not verified or have no credentials in financial advice. There are a lot of people out there who are just looking to make a quick buck and will post bad advice in the hopes of luring people in.

• Focus on the long term: It can be tempting to follow the advice that promises quick money, but these schemes often don't pay off in the long run. Instead, look for advice that focuses on long-term investments and sustainable strategies.

Many people believe that they need to have a lot of money saved in order to start investing. While having a large amount of cash available can be beneficial, it is not necessary to start investing. There are a variety of options, such as mutual funds and ETFs, that allow you to begin investing small amounts of money.

Another myth is that investing in the stock market is the only way to build wealth. There are many other options that may be of interest, such as real estate investing, private lending, and private investments. 

While some people think it’s too complicated or overwhelming to invest in the stock market because of market volatility. The history of the market tells us that it seems to be a successful tool to grow your money over time. While it can be tempting to chase short-term gains, it is important to have an overall strategy in place that considers your long-term goals.  It is important to find someone you can trust to help educate you to make informed decisions. 

Remember that financial success doesn't happen overnight. There isn't a magic bullet or a get-rich-quick scheme. It takes time, patience, and dedication to reach your goals.

Finally, when focusing on building wealth you need to:

• Create a budget and spend less than you make

• Make sure you’re not investing all your eggs in one basket (we call that being diversified) 

• Create a plan to map out what it takes to accomplish each of your financial goals 

There is a lot of great information on the internet but not all information is great when it comes to your finances. Remember, always do your own research, and trust your own instincts before investing in anything. If you have any questions, seek advice from a qualified financial expert.