More Than Just Investments: The Real Value of Working With a Financial Advisor

With so many apps and tools offering “set-it-and-forget-it” investing, it’s fair to ask: Why work with a financial advisor at all?

At EViE, we work with lots of different folks, like high-earning professionals and mid-career to executive clients, who could absolutely manage their own finances, but they choose not to. Why? Because they feel as though financial success isn’t just about returns or performance. While that’s important, it isn’t everything. 

Instead, it’s about alignment, strategy, peace of mind, and having someone you trust in your corner when life gets complex.

Here’s what research — and real-world experience — tells us about the tangible value of working with an advisor who sees the whole picture.

Greater Confidence, Less Stress

One of the most consistent findings across financial behavior studies is this: people with financial advisors feel significantly more confident about their finances.

In their 2024 Planning & Progress Study* Northwestern Mutual refers to survey respondent data gathered by The Harris Poll. Northwestern’s study notes that of respondents who indicated they worked with a financial professional:

• 84% reported having an emergency fund (compared to just 48% without an advisor)

• 75% felt confident they were on track for retirement (vs. 45% without an advisor)

• 79% indicated they “have a long-term plan that factors for up-and-down economic cycles over time” (more than double the 38% without an advisor who answered the same way)

And believe it or not, in the Financial Wellness section of Northwestern Mutual’s 2022 Planning & Progress Study*, Americans who indicated they worked with a financial advisor also reported a number of broader benefits, including better sleep, less financial anxiety, and increased happiness.

Money touches every part of life. When you have a clear plan and a trusted advisor, you’re more likely to feel free to live your life without as much worry.

*Survey results reflect client-reported perceptions, and are for illustrative purposes only. They do not guarantee future financial or personal outcomes. 

A Personalized, Strategic Plan (That Actually Gets Followed)

Financial apps and robo-advisors might give you a basic investment allocation based on age and assumed risk tolerance, but that’s where their planning ends in most cases. A good advisor can create a plan that’s tailored to your career, family, goals, values, and lifestyle. That’s our jam because it’s your jam. 

At EViE, we integrate every piece of your financial life — things like investments, taxes, equity comp, estate planning, business income, and cash flow — into a strategy that adapts as your life evolves. 

Most importantly, we help you stick to it, which can help you improve your follow-through, consistency, and goal achievement over time. The clarity and accountability that come with a real relationship can make the difference between good intentions and real results.

Behavioral Coaching: The Quiet Superpower

The markets go up and down. Life throws curveballs. Things don’t go to plan. Even though we all know that to be true, day in and day out, even the savviest investors are prone to emotional decision-making when things get shaky. Enter: behavioral coaching in times of turbulence. We help you see the big picture, focus on what’s most important, and stay the course when it makes sense to do so. 

In their Advisor’s Alpha study published in February 2025, Vanguard reports that including behavioral coaching alone — that is, helping clients avoid impulsive decisions — may add up to 2% net value annually* (Vanguard, p. M10). These estimates are, of course, dependent on a number of factors, but staying invested, rebalancing, and resisting panic can all add up over time, and a financial advisor who provides behavioral and accountability coaching can be a helpful teammate to have on your side.

An advisor’s job isn’t just to create the plan, it’s to help you stick with it when it matters most. Without a coach in your corner, it can be too easy to shift your investments without recognizing or factoring in the full ramifications of those changes, and whether the timing is right to make them.

*Vanguard estimates based on internal methodology. Individual results may vary. These figures are not guaranteed.

Smart Strategy Can Help You Improve Returns

While no advisor can promise to beat the market and returns are never guaranteed, a financial advisor can help you avoid costly missteps and make more informed choices, especially when it comes to things like:

• Tax-efficient investing and withdrawals

• Diversifying equity compensation or concentrated holdings

• Timing large financial moves

• Optimizing retirement distributions and Social Security

The Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha report also notes that this kind of strategic guidance can sometimes add up to 3% annually in value*, dependent of course on consistency, long-term discipline, and factors unique to each client’s financial picture.

Strategies like those listed above are often unknown or unfamiliar to investors, and a misstep here can cost substantially. An advisor’s guidance on these more complex topics makes it easier to move forward confidently in investing for the long term.

*The value of financial advice will vary based on individual circumstances and market conditions. The 3% figure is an estimate from Vanguard’s Advisor’s Alpha framework and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed return.

Investing With Purpose

Increasingly, investors want their portfolios to reflect their values from a personal perspective, but it can be a struggle to find investments that align with specific principles and financial goals.

Fortunately, it isn’t impossible. For years, we’ve helped clients build portfolios that are thoughtful and intentional, whether the concerns are sustainability, social justice, corporate ethics, or more specific causes like pay inequality, clean energy, and board representation. In our practice, we aim to do this without compromising on diversification, and with investment performance in mind.*

In our experience, when your investments support the things you care about, you feel more connected to your plan — and more motivated to stay the course. 

*Investments aligned with personal values may differ in performance or risk profile compared to broad market indices. Investment results are never guaranteed.

Whole-Life Planning for the Real World

Most people don’t need just a stock or fund selector. They need a team — trusted professionals who see the whole picture and collaborate to help navigate life’s complexities.

At EViE, our work goes far beyond investments. We help you:

• Plan for what you care about most both now and for the future

• Make smart financial decisions with confidence in planning and investments

• Navigate transitions with clarity and focus without falling victim to impulsive moves

• Align your wealth with your values and purpose 

And we do it as a fiduciary — always in your best interest, without pressure or product agendas.

The Final Word: You Don’t Have to DIY Your Future

DIY investing is cheap, fast, and fine for some. But it’s rarely enough.

Could you manage your own portfolio? Sure. But will that give you the clarity, alignment, and peace of mind you deserve? That’s a different question.

You don’t need to do it alone. Working with the right advisor can help align your financial strategy with your goals, values, and life transitions, which can in turn improve the likelihood of reaching your goals. If that’s the kind of relationship you’re looking for, we’d love to talk.