How to tell when money advice is bad
There are a lot of people out there who want to tell you what to do with your money. The problem is only some of them know what they're talking about.
Whether it's a friend with a hot investment tip, a relative spouting off outdated directives about the way it “should” be done or a social media influencer touting a trendy financial product, money advice can be hit or miss. You can filter out the useful tidbits and leave the rest, but to do that, you have to know how to evaluate which pieces of advice you can trust.
Consider the source
Certified financial planners, financial coaches or nonprofit credit counseling agencies can all supply you with advice that's tailored to your unique circumstances. Look for professionals who don't earn a commission when you agree to follow their advice by using recommended solutions. That way, you know you're getting unbiased guidance.
As a bonus, you'll also get a solid explanation of how different financial products work, which is knowledge that can serve you for years.
“Financial matters tend to be complex, and I think that's why it's so important for individuals like myself to have education as a large part of what we do,” says Durriya Pierce, a certified financial planner and financial advice expert at Albert, a financial services company.
A friend or relative who accomplished a similar financial goal could also have actionable tips to share. You might be able to lean on such a person as a source of support while you work toward your own goal.
There may even be some nuggets of wisdom in outdated advice that previous generations relied on. The next time you're treated to a lecture about how cars cost a nickel back in the day, instead of scoffing in disbelief, ask open-ended questions. How much was your grandfather paid at his first job out of school? How much did your parents' first house cost? That can open up a conversation about how salaries, housing costs and other money issues have changed over time.
“At some point, it becomes less about them sharing advice and more about them sharing their story,” says Phuong Luong, a Massachusettsbased certified financial planner and founder of Just Wealth.
Think about how feasible the advice is for you
Money advice is like clothing. It's designed to fit a person, but that person might not be you. Certain money best practices don't work for everyone's situation.
“So often we ignore the context of what people are going through. Financial advice-givers don't bring in the context and it's really harmful when you don't,” Luong says. “It perpetuates the myth that we can do this on our own, and we cannot.”
She cites the oft-discussed 50/30/ 20 budget – where you apply 50% of your take-home pay to “needs” (like housing, utilities and transportation), 30% to “wants” (like hobbies and travel) and 20% to savings and debt payments – as an example. In high-cost areas, she notes, rent alone might eat up half of your take-home pay.
Bad money advice can also oversimplify a complex decision. With more people working remotely, for instance, a friend may suggest you simply move to a lower-cost city to save money.
Be wary of advice that’s too good to be true
The internet and social media are rife with money-related clickbait that promises near-instant success. Influencers sell access to expensive courses that claim they'll make you a millionaire. High school acquaintances send you direct messages out of the blue, asking if you want to “be your own boss” by joining a multilevel marketing program. Many of these get-rich-quick schemes are a waste of time and money.
Trustworthy money guidance isn't going to make empty vows about guaranteed wealth. Look for advice that fits you, but gives you realistic expectations and a few alternative courses of action.