Anyone can say they are qualified behind a keyboard. I have yet to see any educational degrees or certifications.
I am not going to make any further issues but a one on one consultation with someone has has the credentials, does financial planning on a full time basis, is fee based and is a fiduciary is better than getting dozens of suggestions off a forum.
There are many unscrupulous credentialed professionals. Credentials alone don’t make for good investing decisions. I’ve seen predatory “advising” from credentialed fiduciaries devastate a person’s wealth while enriching the fiduciary. Legal theft. Moral bankruptcy. It abounds in the financial services industry.
So, while agree that professional consultation is wise, it is not without risk.
While we are all behind a keyboard, that fact alone doesn’t invalidate the advice offered. You quoted me multiple times, so, allow me to peel back some of the keyboard anonymity.
My undergraduate degree is in astrophysics - which isn’t a revelation to anyone who’s read my posts - and that doesn’t specifically qualify me to give financial advice.
However, I’ve been an investor for over 30 years. A journey with success, mistakes, and experience through several economic cycles and shocks.
I’ve been wiped out by a divorce, and recovered. I have a financial advisor. I am married to a former banker and stockbroker. We invest together. It’s something we do and in which we’ve achieved our goals. We are in good shape as we near retirement. Better than the vast majority of people our age.
The OP asked for advice, and I am better equipped than most to provide it.
It’s up to everyone on the board to weigh the merits of the advice they read - whether it’s in selecting an oil, or making financial decisions.
And I wouldn’t be so quick to dismiss what some of us have to offer in those other areas in which we have experience.