All investors are subject to investment fees. Whether you live in Columbia, MO, or work on Wall Street, fees slowly erode the cumulative returns any investor receives. Some will argue that higher fees can be justified by superior performance. The reality is that investments with higher fees typically produce inferior returns over a long-term time horizon. It’s often difficult for investors to determine what the total fees are for investments both when purchased and on an annual basis.
If you are unsure what you are paying in fees, make sure you ask! Your broker or financial advisor should be able to clearly and concisely explain all fees paid during over the life of an investment in actual dollars, not percentage based calculations or lengthy disclosure brochures. Make sure they include commissions, yearly advisory fees, and any fund management fees. It’s your money, and you need to know! For a look at the effect of investment fees on returns, check out this article! If you are concerned you may be paying too much in fees and don’t want to ask your current advisor, ask us! We’ll walk you through your current expenses so that you can make informed decisions regarding your financial future.
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