Why a No‑Commitment Meeting With a Financial Advisor Can Clarify Your Money Goals

If you’ve been pondering whether to work with a financial advisor, consider a no‑obligation meeting. Even if you never hire one, the conversation can shed light on your finances and help you clarify priorities.

The experience that San Francisco‑based Lauren Schwahn had illustrates this point. I recently spoke with Lauren about what she learned from her first consult—an encounter that many readers find familiar.

Lauren felt uncertain about her family’s financial trajectory. Caught up in day‑to‑day decisions, she and her husband were unsure of the right steps for today and for the future. What she discovered was that a single discussion with a professional—and the preparation it required—could organize her thoughts and pinpoint what truly matters.

I appreciate that Lauren approached the meeting with an open mind and without pressure to continue. The purpose of that initial session is to get to know the advisor and the value they could provide. If the fit isn’t right or circumstances change, the meeting still fulfills its goal.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Taryn Phaneuf: What were you hoping an advisor would help you with?

Lauren Schwahn: Part of it was reassurance. We wanted to see whether we were on the right track or if there was something obvious we were missing in managing our money. It was also curiosity—I’d spoken to many advisors for work, but I’d never experienced the process from the client side, so I wanted to explore that.

We were also thinking about buying a home. At the time we wanted to discuss that with someone in our area. We’re in San Francisco, which has one of the most challenging housing markets in the country. Things have shifted since then, but that’s where we were.

TPh: With the home‑buying discussion, were you looking for an unbiased opinion on whether it was a smart move given your circumstances?

LS: I think we were more focused on feasibility—could we make it happen, and if so, what would that look like? Would we be positioned to save enough for a down payment, or did we need to take steps to get there?

How to Find a Financial Advisor Like a Finance Reporter

Lauren turned to the XY Planning Network to locate an advisor—a resource she’d used often while reporting on personal finance. “Everyone was really trustworthy, responded quickly, and I felt confident using it as a consumer,” she said.

The XY Planning Network lists fee‑only advisors, who are paid directly by clients and do not earn commissions on recommended products. (Fee‑based advisors may charge a fee but can also receive commissions, which can create conflicts of interest.) Other useful directories include the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors—also focused on fee‑only professionals—and the CFP® Board, which certifies financial planners.

TPh: How were you approaching money and money decisions before meeting with a CFP?

LS: We were basically monitoring bank and investment accounts. My husband still does that almost daily and enjoys it, which I’m glad for because I don’t. Beyond that, we didn’t do much forward‑thinking planning except at tax time. The advisor meeting was a good reminder that we could set clearer goals and review our situation more often.

TPh: You decided not to hire an advisor after that first meeting. Did you anticipate that possibility?

LS: Yes. A big part of why I wanted the meeting was to experience what it’s like for anyone considering an advisor—that’s the whole point of those initial sessions, after all. We also knew there was value in it, so it was definitely a possibility, and we talked it over.

One major factor that shifted our plans was stepping back from home‑buying. The market is especially expensive, and we’re renting from my family at below‑market rates. We wanted to wait and see if conditions improved or mortgage rates dropped. When we ran the numbers, a house in our desired neighborhood and size would increase our monthly housing costs by roughly five times. At that point we simply couldn’t justify the expense and decided to stay put, at least for now.

About the author

Taryn Phaneuf is a lead writer & content strategist covering wealth management, financial planning and other investing topics at NerdWallet. She previously reported on personal finance news. Prior to joining NerdWallet, she spent more than a decade covering education, public policy and business for various news outlets. She also taught journalism as an adjunct instructor at her alma mater, the University of Minnesota.

She lives in Minnesota.

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