Why I Became a Financial Advisor: To Be the Advisor my Father Never Had

A lot of "financial advisors" are glorified salespeople pushing overpriced products you don't need.

But here's the truth nobody talks about: Sometimes insurance isn't a scam. Sometimes it's the difference between your family surviving or drowning.

I learned this the hard way when I was 13 years old.

Today, I'm going to share the story that made me who I am - and the ONE insurance mistake that 90% of high earners are making right now. We'll cover:

• Why my financially responsible father's plan failed catastrophically

• The $20/month decision that would have changed everything

• How to calculate the REAL amount of coverage you need (hint: it's way more than you think)

• The insurance industry lies that are keeping you under protected

Let's get into it ↓

The Day Everything Changed

When I was 13, my father died of brain cancer at 46 years old.

On paper, his financial plan looked bulletproof. Good income. Stay-at-home wife raising 5 kids. Paying down the mortgage aggressively. Saved religiously. Never spent on stupid things.

But he had ONE blind spot that made everything significantly harder.

He was underinsured.

When he passed, he left behind a $250,000 term life policy. Enough to pay off the house - which was something. But everything else? My mom had to figure out how to go back to work after a decade out of the workforce, raise 5 kids alone, and somehow keep life "normal."

The financial stress was real. The emotional toll made it worse.

The $20 Decision That Changes Everything

Here's what pisses me off about this story:

The fix would have cost an extra $20-30 per month.

When my dad was buying insurance, any competent advisor should have looked at the situation and said: "You've got a mortgage, a stay-at-home spouse, and FIVE kids depending on you. The biggest risk isn't market volatility - it's YOU not being here."

That scenario demands AT LEAST $500,000 to $1 million in term coverage. Not the bare minimum $250K he walked away with.

But his advisor took the easy sale and moved on. No tough conversations. No worst-case scenario planning. Just process the paperwork and collect the commission.

This is why I hate 90% of the insurance industry.

The Insurance Lies Keeping You Poor

Let me be clear about something: Most insurance advice is garbage.

The industry is full of commissioned vultures pushing:

• Overpriced whole life policies with terrible returns

• Permanent coverage you don't need

• Complex products designed to maximize THEIR payday, not your protection

But here's the contrarian truth nobody wants to admit: When done right, term life insurance is the highest ROI purchase you'll ever make.

Think about it. For a healthy 35-year-old making $200K with a family, a $1 million 20-year term policy costs roughly $50-80/month. That's less than most people spend on streaming services.

If something happens to you, that $50/month turns into a $1 million tax-free payout for your family.

Show me another investment with that kind of leverage.

How Much Coverage Do You ACTUALLY Need?

Here's the formula that actually works:

The DIME Method:

D - Debt: Add up ALL your debts (mortgage, credit cards, loans, etc.)

I - Income: 5-10 years of your current income to support your family

M - Mortgage: Remaining balance (if not included in debt above)

E - Education: College costs for your kids

Let's say you make $200K with a $400K mortgage, $50K in other debts, and two kids needing $100K each for college:

• Debt: $450K

• Income replacement (7 years): $1.4M

• Education: $200K

• Total needed: $2.05 million

Most high earners are walking around with 1/3 the coverage they actually need.

The Peace of Mind Calculation

No one expects to die at 46. But when my father got his diagnosis, he knew time was running out.

I can't imagine the fear he felt - not just about his health, but about what would happen to his family. The sleepless nights wondering if he'd done enough. The guilt of leaving behind financial stress on top of emotional devastation.

Proper coverage isn't just about the money. It's about ensuring your family has options.

It's knowing your family won't have to stress about finances while they're grieving. It's giving your spouse breathing room to figure out next steps. It's making sure your kids' futures stay on track despite circumstances beyond anyone's control.

That peace of mind? It's worth way more than $50/month.

What My Father's Advisor Should Have Done

A real advisor would have:

• Asked the hard questions about worst-case scenarios

• Calculated the TRUE replacement need (not just debt payoff)

• Stressed-tested the plan against disability and death

• Followed up regularly as income and family size changed

Instead, he got someone who took the path of least resistance and moved on to the next commission.

This is exactly why I became a financial advisor. To be the advisor my father never had.

Your Action Plan (Do This Today)

Stop procrastinating on this. Here's what you need to do RIGHT NOW:

1. Calculate your real need: 10x your annual income

2. Get quotes from multiple carriers: Term life is a commodity - shop around

3. Buy while you're healthy: Every month you wait, you're older and potentially less insurable

4. Review annually: As your income grows, your coverage should too

Don't overthink this. Don't get sold some complex whole life garbage. Get a big, cheap term policy and move on with your life.

The biggest risk to your family's financial future isn't a market crash or inflation. It's you not being here to provide for them.

The Bottom Line

My father did almost everything right. He saved. He budgeted. He avoided debt. But he missed the ONE thing that mattered most when it counted.

Don't make the same mistake.

Your family deserves better than hoping everything works out. They deserve a plan that actually works when life doesn't go according to plan.

Because you don't get a second chance to prepare. Get the plan right while you still can.

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Whenever you're ready, there are 2 other ways we can help you:

1. 30-Day Strategy Sprint: Got a specific financial challenge holding you back? In just 30 days, we'll tackle 1-3 of your biggest money roadblocks and hand you a personalized action plan. Perfect if you want expert guidance without a long-term commitment. Limited spots available.

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Opulus, LLC (“Opulus”) is a registered investment advisor in Pennsylvania and other jurisdictions where exempted. Registration as an investment advisor does not imply any specific level of skill or training.

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