Meeting with a financial advisor for the first time can feel like a big step. You’re talking about your money, your goals, and your future. That’s personal stuff. A lot of people put it off because they’re unsure what it’ll be like or worry it’s going to feel like a sales pitch.
Let’s be honest. Your first meeting shouldn’t be about buying anything or making big financial moves. It should be about getting to know each other and seeing if it feels like a good fit. At Babin Wealth, we call this an Explore Meeting. It’s a simple, no-pressure conversation that helps you see how we work and gives you space to decide if you’d feel comfortable partnering with us.
Here’s how to prepare, what to ask, and what to expect.
Getting Ready for Your Meeting
You don’t need to walk in with a pile of spreadsheets, but a little preparation helps a lot.
- Write down your main questions. What’s been on your mind lately? Maybe it’s retirement savings, college funding, or a big life change like a new job.
- Have a general picture of your finances. You don’t need every number memorized. Just know roughly what you earn, owe, and have saved.
- Think about your goals. Buying a home, starting a business, retiring early, helping your kids through college. When you share your hopes, it helps guide the conversation.
We get it. Talking about money can feel awkward. But think of this meeting as telling your financial story. The more open you are, the easier it’ll be for the advisor to understand where you’re coming from and where you want to go.
5 Questions to Ask a Financial Advisor
Your first meeting isn’t just about them getting to know you. It’s your chance to “interview” them too. Here are five questions that can help you figure out if they’re the right fit.
1. What’s your experience and expertise?
Advisors work with all kinds of clients. Some focus on retirees, others on business owners or families still building wealth. Ask how long they’ve been in the business, what type of clients they typically serve, and whether they hold any professional designations.
One credential worth paying attention to is the Certified Financial Planner™ (CFP®) mark. CFP® professionals go through extensive training and testing, and they’re required to act as fiduciaries, which means they’re legally and ethically bound to put your best interests first.
Pro tip: Pay attention to whether they’ve worked with people like you and can share examples of solving similar challenges.
2. What’s your investment philosophy?
Every advisor has a different take on risk, returns, and market ups and downs. Some stick to a long-term, steady approach. Others make tactical shifts when markets change. Ask how they balance growth with safety and how they respond during rough patches.
There’s no perfect answer here. The goal is to make sure their approach matches your comfort level. If you’re cautious, you don’t want someone who thrives on taking big risks.
Pro tip: If they use too much jargon and you’re left confused, that’s a sign they might not communicate clearly.
3. How deep does your financial planning go?
Good planning is about more than picking investments. Ask if they’ll also help with retirement projections, tax strategies, college funding, insurance reviews, and estate planning. A real financial plan connects all of these pieces, not just one part of your money.
For instance, maybe you’re trying to save for retirement and help your kids with tuition at the same time. A good advisor should show you how both goals fit together instead of treating them separately.
Pro tip: The best advisors talk about your full financial picture, not just your investment portfolio.
4. How do you get paid?
Let’s be real. This question makes some people nervous, but it’s one of the most important ones. Advisors can charge fees, earn commissions, or use a mix of both. There’s nothing wrong with any model as long as it’s transparent and you understand how it works.
Fee-only advisors usually charge a percentage of the assets they manage or a flat annual fee. Commission-based advisors make money when you purchase certain products. The key is clarity. You should never feel unsure about how they’re compensated.
Pro tip: If they seem uncomfortable talking about fees or skip over details, take that as a red flag.
5. What does your process look like?
Ask what happens after the first meeting. How often do they meet with clients? Quarterly, annually, or more often? What do progress reviews look like? And how can you reach them between meetings if something comes up?
You’re not hiring someone for a one-time transaction. You’re starting a partnership.
Pro tip: Look for a process that feels organized and ongoing, not one where you disappear after signing paperwork.
What You Should Expect to Get Out of the Meeting
By the end of the first meeting, you should have:
- Answers to your most important questions
- A clear idea of how the advisor works and communicates
- A gut sense of whether they’re the right fit for you
You’re not walking out with a full financial plan, and that’s fine. The goal is to see whether you’ve found someone you trust to build that plan with you.
What Happens Next
If both sides decide to move forward, here’s how things usually go:
- Information gathering. You’ll share statements, policies, and other details so the advisor can see your full financial picture.
- Plan development. They’ll build a customized plan based on your goals, priorities, and timeline.
- Implementation. Together, you’ll decide how to take action, whether that means reallocating investments or updating insurance.
- Ongoing support. A good advisor doesn’t disappear after the plan’s delivered. They check in, review progress, and make updates as life changes.
How to Choose the Right Advisor
Not every advisor will be the right fit, and that’s okay.
- Do a little homework. Look up their credentials, read reviews, and check for any disciplinary history.
- Ask about their standard. Make sure they act as a fiduciary, meaning they’re required to put your interests first.
- Trust your gut. You should feel respected and comfortable. If something feels off, it probably is.
The Bottom Line
Your first meeting with a financial advisor doesn’t need to be intimidating. It’s not about pressure or products. It’s about people.
At Babin Wealth, our Explore Meeting is designed to help you feel informed, comfortable, and confident about your next steps. No pushy sales talk, no fast decisions. Just a genuine conversation about your goals and what’s possible.
We get that money is personal. That’s exactly why we start with trust.