Most investors don’t have a real asset-allocation strategy to achieve their retirement goals. The financial media will bombard you with ideas for buying or selling stocks, depending on the news of the day. But does a TV personality really know how you should be investing for retirement? Does he or she know anything about your unique situation?

As an investor, you  need a hand-tailored investment plan, designed by an advisor with a fiduciary duty to put your interests first. Don’t let some broker from a big Wall Street firm buy and sell your account to earn commissions. That is not putting your interests first! Instead, be sure your investment philosophy is 100% aligned with your risk-and-return profile. After all, investing isn’t a game. It’s your hard-earned money, and you need it to live the life of your dreams.