And yet another vanguard guy here! I think that just means we’re cheap, and confident about our own investment choices.
socalarm, you don’t sound confident about your own investment choices, so you probably do want to get a FA. I concur with the others who said that you have the wrong FA. He is probably friendly, and you like him personally, or he seems super-professional in his manner, or whatever. Otherwise, you’d never have gone to, or stayed with, someone who puts you into investments you’re clearly not comfortable with.
I’d guess you need a new FA. Their job is two-fold:
(A) Psychological – Listen carefully to the what their client needs and wants. M
(B) Technical – Use their financial expertise to offer financial options that fit the client’s needs established in A.
It’s a feedback loop. If the FA doesn’t get it right the first time, then they should be listening carefully and making modifications pronto. Doesn’t sound like your guy is doing that. Sorry.
I’m in the financial business, so I don’t need an advisor (or don’t feel I do anyway), but I’ve actually been tempted to check out Rich because, as someone else said here, he gets it. You need to find an advisor that you can say that about.