Going Back To School for a Master’s Degree During a Recession: Good or Bad Idea?

Going Back To School for a Master’s Degree During a Recession: Good or Bad Idea?

With all the talk of a possible recession, you may be thinking this is a good time to get an advanced degree. You can wait out the tough times and unpredictable job market while learning new skills that put you in a better position in the future.

You’re not alone. Historically, times of economic turmoil have seen big upticks in graduate school enrollment. But is this the right move for you now?

We hope the following information will help you decide whether the cost of earning a master’s will pay off in greater career opportunities — and higher salary — down the line.

Why People Go Back To School During Recessions

Periods of decline in economic activity (aka recessions) are commonly accompanied by corporate layoffs, rising unemployment, and dwindling wage growth. Because there are fewer employment opportunities, job hunting and career advancement become more competitive. Many workers decide a return to school, often to earn a master’s degree, makes sense in a tough employment market.

Earning an advanced degree can boost your earning power in your chosen field (more on that below) or provide an opportunity to change fields. Career changers may gravitate to growing, “recession-proof” industries and fields that they are passionate about.

Who Should Get a Master’s Degree?

The answer depends on your professional and academic goals. The first level of graduate study, a master’s degree indicates a high level of knowledge in a profession or research area. It takes anywhere from one to three years of full-time study to complete a master’s. A bachelor’s degree is required to apply for a master’s program.

For academics, a master’s is usually a stepping stone to a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree. Professional master’s degrees can also be the first step toward advanced degrees required for doctors, pharmacists, and lawyers, and are a necessary part of education for those careers.

Master’s degrees can also be required or particularly helpful in education, social service, healthcare, business, and STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

Recommended: What Should I Do After My Master’s Degree?

Pros of Getting a Master’s Degree in a Recession

For many people, a recession is a good time to go back to school, either full- or part-time. Here’s why.

Potential Salary Boost

In many careers, a master’s degree will command a higher salary and increase job security. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), workers with graduate degrees (master’s, professional, and doctoral) have the highest earnings.

The median weekly earnings for full-time workers over 25 with a master’s degree is $1,574, compared to $1,334 for employees with a bachelor’s degree only.

Increased Job Security

Workers with graduate degrees also experience lower levels of unemployment, according to BLS data. The unemployment rate in 2021 for people with a master’s was 2.6%, compared to 3.5% for workers with bachelor’s degrees.

People who have been negatively affected by a recession — either laid off or unemployed for an extended period — often find that an advanced degree can lead to more job security and advancement. As mentioned above, recessions can also be a good time for workers in hard-hit industries to gain skills and knowledge through a master’s in a fast-growing field.

Many grad school students find that networking with other students, faculty, and alumni helps them find new opportunities, especially in a competitive job market.

Easy Access To High Quality Programs

Hundreds of high-quality MBA, MSW, engineering, and other in-demand graduate degree programs are now available online from prestigious colleges and universities. Remote learning makes these programs accessible to students anywhere in the country. Online programs often cost less than in-person learning and can offer more flexibility for students who need to continue working full- or part-time.

Cons of Getting a Master’s Degree in a Recession

Grad school isn’t right for everyone, and making this move demands careful consideration.

Costs and Potential Debt

The average cost of a master’s degree is $66,340, according to a 2021 report from the Education Data Initiative. That does not include living expenses or lost wages from taking time off work. And people with a master’s degree carry an average of $46,798 in student loan debt.

Determining whether taking on federal or private student loan debt is worth the increased earning potential or career satisfaction is an important step in your decision-making process.

Increased Competition for Admissions

You’re not the only one debating whether to ride out tough economic times by going back to grad school. That can mean increased competition for the best programs. If a degree from a particular college or university is part of your career plan, carefully consider your timing.

Missed Work Experience

If you’re considering leaving a job to attend grad school, keep in mind that you may miss valuable work experience that can put you in a better position when the recession ends. Working part-time can help pay for grad school and sometimes alleviates missed work experience, but not always. That’s because part-time employees don’t always encounter the same opportunities to gain valuable experience as full-time staffers.

Recommended: Undergraduate vs. Graduate Student Loans: How They Differ

How Much Does a Master’s Degree Cost?

Depending on the field of study and institution, master’s programs range from $12,000 to $75,000. Unlike many doctorate programs that waive tuition and fees and even offer a stipend, master’s degrees are not fully funded.

Ways To Pay for a Master’s Degree

Most students rely on a combination of savings, scholarships, grants, federal loans, private loans, and help from employers to pay for graduate school.

Federal Grants

Federal grant programs include the Pell Grant, which is generally available only to undergrads who demonstrate exceptional financial need. However, it may be possible to receive some grant funding to help you pay for graduate school. Remember, this time around you’re an independent student, and you won’t be tied to your family’s income to determine need.

Another federal grant that may be available to graduate students is the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education, or TEACH grant. This grant has relatively stringent requirements and is available for students pursuing a teaching career who are willing to fulfill a service obligation after graduation.

Filling out the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) is the first step to determine whether you’re eligible for federal grants.

Scholarships

The FAFSA also gives you access to many scholarships. There are scholarships offered in every field imaginable. Start your search with these online tools:

•   Graduate School Scholarship Search at Sallie Mae

•   Scholarship Search Engine at CollegeScholarship.org

•   SoFi’s State Scholarship Search

Recommended: Finding and Applying to Scholarships for Grad School

Federal Student Loans

Grad students may be offered loans as part of their financial aid offer. A loan is money you borrow and must pay back with interest. Loans made by the federal government, called federal student loans, usually have more benefits than loans from banks or other private sources.

The lifetime limit for Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized student loans is $138,500 for graduate or professional students. Of this amount, no more than $65,500 can be in subsidized loans. This includes student loans borrowed during undergraduate study.

Private Student Loans

Many students also rely on private student loans to help pay for graduate school. The maximum amount that students can borrow with a private student loan varies by lender, but can’t exceed the cost of attendance.

The “cost of attendance” is the combined total of tuition and fees, books and supplies, living expenses, transportation, and miscellaneous expenses. This estimate may also include dependent care, study-abroad, and costs related to disabilities.

The Takeaway

Pursuing a master’s degree can be a great way to enhance your skills and career opportunities. Taking advantage of a slow or troubled economic time to do so can help ensure your job security in the future. That said, it’s important to consider the tuition costs associated with a graduate degree, the potential for taking on debt, and the effects of missed earnings and opportunities if you take time off work to go back to school.

SoFi can help students manage the cost of tuition with its private student loans for grad students. SoFi private student loans offer competitive interest rates for qualified borrowers, flexible repayment plans, and no fees. SoFi makes it fast and easy to pay for a grad degree – and now, even a grad-level certificate — so you can focus on what matters the most: your education.

SoFi was named a 2023 Best Private Student Loan Company by U.S. News and World Report.

FAQ

Is grad school a good place to ride out a recession?

It can be. Recessions are usually accompanied by high unemployment and layoffs. For many people, gaining new skills and expertise in a graduate program can be a good way to make yourself recession-proof in the future.

Do more people head for grad school during a recession?

Yes, historically more people apply to and attend graduate school during a recession. The Great Recession starting in 2008 is a good example of that trend.

What are worthwhile master’s degrees to get during a recession?

Master’s degrees that give you the credentials and skills to move forward in your career can be well worth the cost through future salary increases and advancement opportunities. But pursuing a passion that will give you career satisfaction for years to come can be just as worthwhile.


Photo credit: iStock/izusek

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.


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Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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The College Money Talk: Explaining to Your Child What You Can and Can’t Afford

The College Money Talk: Explaining to Your Child What You Can and Can’t Afford

When your high schooler starts thinking about college, one of the best things you can do is to have The College Talk: a frank discussion about education, career, and life goals. The College Money Talk — the dollars and cents of the process — should be a part of the conversation. This will help you and your child stay on the same page during the college search.

We’ve assembled a list of topics you may want to include, such as how much you, as parents, can contribute toward college. We’ll also guide you through how to structure the conversation, explain financial aid, and more.

Figure Out How Much You Can Afford

First and foremost, parents should look at their finances as a whole: retirement savings, other investment accounts, monthly budget, upcoming large expenses, etc. Also think about the current economy, especially inflation and the bear market.

“Parents need to keep in mind their own financial security first and foremost,” says Brian Walsh, senior manager of financial planning at SoFi. “We don’t want parents to take on too much debt or put themselves in a sticky situation because they helped their kids too much.”

Walsh adds that it’s essential for parents to figure out on their own how much they can contribute before talking to their kids. One way to do that is to see how their retirement savings stack up against suggested amounts:

Age

Amount Saved

30 50% of salary
40 1.5 to 2.5 times salary
50 3 to 5.5 times salary
60 6 to 11 times salary

Recommended: Inflation and Your Retirement Savings

Consider the Timing

You may wonder when, and how often, you should have the college and money talk. Walsh says you can relax during the early high school years.

“Things will heat up junior and senior year,” Walsh says. “That’s when you’re looking at schools the kids are interested in, and determining how realistic it is they’ll get into those schools and secure financial aid. Senior year is when everything comes together — making decisions about where to go and ultimately coming up with a plan for how to pay for college.”

Consider blocking out time to have the conversation freshman year in high school, then intermittently throughout junior and senior year. Use your best judgment in broaching the conversation, and choose a time when your kids seem receptive.

Structure the Conversation

Walsh suggests beginning with a discussion of the paths available to your child after college. This may involve different professions and careers and how to attain them, even jobs that don’t require a college education. Your child may also have no idea about the potential earning power of various professions — a great segue into the cost of college.

According to Walsh, it’s best to have this talk in an environment where everyone feels comfortable. That may be a favorite coffee shop or the living room couch. If you’re not sure, ask your student what they prefer.

If you want to make it a more collaborative process, you can give your child assignments. For example, you may work with your child to search for colleges, look up financial concepts, debate the trade-offs of a big-name school vs. a lesser-known institution, and more.

Your student may also want to research the graduation rates of colleges. Walsh suggests having students identify the schools where students tend to graduate in four years or close to that.

When you start the money conversation, consider bringing up the average “net cost.” That’s a college’s cost of attendance (which factors in tuition, fees, books and supplies, and living expenses) minus any grants and scholarships. According to the College Board, the average net cost for 2022-2023 of a private college was $32,800. The average net cost for public college was $19,250.

Avoid looking at the sticker price, or what school websites say tuition and room and board will cost. Instead, kick off the affordability conversation based on net price.

Explain About Financial Aid

Financial aid can come from various sources: colleges and universities, the government, and private lenders. Financial aid can include grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans:

•   Grant: A type of need-based aid that you don’t have to repay.

•   Scholarship: A financial award based on academics, athletics, other achievements, or diversity and inclusion. It may or may not be based on financial need, and doesn’t have to be repaid.

•   Work-study: An on-campus job that helps cover the cost of school. You must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for work-study.

•   Federal Student Loan: A loan is money you borrow to pay for college or career school. You must pay back loans with interest. Federal student loans come from the federal government by filing the FAFSA.

•   Private Student Loan: These loans come from a private bank or online lender. Private student loans do not offer the same federal protections that come with federal student loans, such as loan forgiveness and income-driven repayment plans. Consider these factors before you decide to pursue private student loans.

For detailed information on all available financial aid options, reach out to the guidance office or college office at your child’s high school. Online resources, like StudentAid.gov and SoFi’s FAFSA Guide, are also helpful.

“When you’re down to the final couple of colleges, work with the admissions and financial aid offices at those schools,” Walsh says. “They will be the best resources during senior year and going forward.”

Recommended: Scholarship Search Tool

Talk About Debt (and Debt Repayment)

Many high school students don’t have experience with loans or understand them at all.

“One of the risks of student loan debt is that it can feel like Monopoly money — it’s not real,” Walsh says. In your discussion, try to make student debt more concrete for your child.

Walsh recommends going through a sample budget based on the average starting salary of a career related to your child’s preferred major. (Also check out our guide to ROI by bachelor’s degree.) Calculate the amount your child may earn each month. Estimate what they may pay for rent, utilities, groceries, transportation, student loans, and more. How much will they have left over after those expenses?

Although it may feel awkward, it’s worth talking to your kids about student loans to help them understand how to handle them.

Discuss Parent / Child Contributions

“Be transparent with the student so they know what to expect when they look at different schools,” Walsh says. He urges parents not to overextend themselves or feel guilty if they can’t contribute as much as they’d like. Just 29% of parents say they plan to foot the entire bill for their kids to go to college, down from 43% in 2016.

Look for Ways to Cut Costs

During your college money talk, you may want to explore strategies for cutting expenses. Walk through a sample college budget, and look for ways to save on living arrangements, transportation and travel, Greek life, computers, books and supplies, dining out, and Wi-Fi. Doing all this ahead of time allows you to pick and choose what’s important and plan how parents and kids will spend their money.

You might also suggest that your child begin at a two-year school to save money, then transfer to a four-year institution.

Recommended: Money Management for College Students

The Takeaway

Paying for college often involves an emotional tug-of-war between a student and their parents. Walsh urges families to use The College Money Talk as a teaching moment. “It’s an opportunity for your child to learn valuable lessons on how debt and savings work,” he says. “And that can help them make better financial decisions in the future.” Parents should examine their finances and agree on their family contribution before discussing it with their student. Because high schoolers have little experience with money, parents can make it more concrete by walking through sample budgets: one for their expenses while in college, and another that projects their income and student loan debt after graduation.

SoFi private student loans can help families bridge the gap between financial aid and the cost of college.

SoFi can help you find the right private loan for you.

FAQ

How do you tell your kid you can’t afford their dream college?

It may come as a surprise to your child when The College Money Conversation takes a turn and you reveal that you cannot pay for their dream school. However, it’s best to answer the question early on in high school while they can still consider other, more affordable colleges.

Do most parents pay for their kids’ college?

About 29% of parents plan to pay the full college costs. However, that doesn’t mean you must follow suit, particularly if it will put a strain on your finances. Consider all aspects of your financial situation before deciding how much you can put toward the cost of college.

How do middle class families pay for college?

Paying for college involves planning and research, and that’s the case for families at any income level. Most families cover the cost of attendance through a combination of personal savings, need-based grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans. This involves filing the FAFSA to see the amount of need-based financial aid your child may receive. You can also arrange to set up a payment plan, in which you make payments over the course of 10 or 11 months during each school year.


Photo credit: iStock/SDI Productions

SoFi Private Student Loans
Please borrow responsibly. SoFi Private Student Loans are not a substitute for federal loans, grants, and work-study programs. You should exhaust all your federal student aid options before you consider any private loans, including ours. Read our FAQs. SoFi Private Student Loans are subject to program terms and restrictions, and applicants must meet SoFi’s eligibility and underwriting requirements. See SoFi.com/eligibility-criteria for more information. To view payment examples, click here. SoFi reserves the right to modify eligibility criteria at any time. This information is subject to change.


SoFi Loan Products
SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.


Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

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Understanding Stock Market Corrections

A stock market correction occurs when the market hits a new high, and then falls by at least 10%. A correction is similar to a dip or crash, but not as severe as a “bear market,” which is when the market sees a decline of 20%.

Stock market corrections are normal and it’s important to be aware of why they happen and what you might consider doing the next time the market sees a correction.

What Is a Market Correction?

A stock market correction happens when the market reaches a new interim high and then falls by 10%. Some other stock market terms for market downturns include dips or crashes, which may be temporary or quick drops in the market that don’t see the market fall past 10%.

Corrections vs Bear Markets

A bear market is a longer decline in the stock market, and refers to the market after it declines 20% from a previous high. These terms can also apply to individual stocks (“Stock X is in correction territory,” for example), but individual stocks can see much more volatility than the overall market.

The most severe stock market correction in history, in terms of points, happened in 2018, when the Dow declined 1,175 points in a single day. Previously the record had been a 777-point decline. However, the 2018 4.6% drop wasn’t the biggest decline in terms of percentage. In 1987, on a day called Black Monday, the Dow dropped by 22%. That would be equivalent to 5,300 points in today’s market.


💡 Quick Tip: Are self-directed brokerage accounts cost efficient? They can be, because they offer the convenience of being able to buy stocks online without using a traditional full-service broker (and the typical broker fees).

The Nature and Frequency of Market Corrections

Stock market corrections happen every once in a while. They are, in fact, a normal part of the market cycle — that’s important for investors to keep in mind, as it’s not unusual at all for the market to experience a correction.

How Common Are Market Corrections?

Dating back to the mid-1900s, stock market corrections have typically happened three to four times every year. Although it’s nerve-wracking every time, these corrections are a normal part of the market cycle, as mentioned.

Duration and Impact of Corrections

When a correction occurs, you will likely see the media speculate whether it’s a crash or a correction, how long the correction will last, and perhaps, if the economy is going into a recession. This speculation is just that — here is no way of knowing exactly how big a correction will be or how long it will last.

A stock market correction is not typically the cause of a recession, nor is it a predictor of a coming recession. Stock market corrections can be stressful for investors and companies, but they are not necessarily signs of a poor economy.

Although there is no way of predicting how long a market correction will last, you can look to past data as some indicator of possible trends. For example, since the 2008–09 financial crisis, the past four corrections have had an average decline of 15.3% over a time period of three and a half months.

Navigating Through Market Corrections

Given that market corrections are common, investors would do well to know how to handle them. That may or may not involve making any changes to your portfolio.

Preparing Your Investments for a Correction

Unless you exclusively own stocks in an S&P 500 index fund, your portfolio will perform differently from the overall market. When a stock market correction occurs, the percentage drop is generally referring to the performance of the S&P 500 index. This is an index of the largest U.S. companies in the stock market.

The stocks in your portfolio may fall in value more or less than the overall market. Some of your stocks may even go up in value. It’s important to remember that if your portfolio drops by a certain percentage, it will need to go up more than that percentage to recoup your losses.

Strategies for Investing During Corrections

Generally, a good rule of thumb is to stay invested through a market correction — or, stick to a buy-and-hold strategy. If, for example, someone sells off their stocks during a panic, they could see them go back up in value again in a few days or weeks. If anything, depending on your strategy and goals, you may want to consider buying stocks during a market correction, because prices will have lowered.

You could consider whether you have available funds you’d like to invest during a downturn, and decide if you want to purchase more shares of stocks you already own or if you want to find new stocks to buy. Diversifying the stocks in your portfolio may help you weather the storm of a market correction.

If you do choose to purchase stocks during a market correction, be aware that their value may continue to decline before it recovers again. There’s also no guarantee that it will.

Also remember that the market has bounced back from some severe corrections and crashes over the years. Corrections happen every year and can be healthy for the market.


💡 Quick Tip: How to manage potential risk factors in a self-directed investment account? Doing your research and employing strategies like dollar-cost averaging and diversification may help mitigate financial risk when trading stocks.

Identifying Causes and Signs of Market Corrections

There can be numerous reasons that the market experiences a correction. And they typically can’t be predicted with any real sense of accuracy.

Key Factors Leading to Corrections

Since so many things could potentially lead to a market correction, it’s hard to say with any certainty what, exactly, is or was the catalyst. But generally, things like rising prices (inflation), slow economic growth, bad or disappointing corporate earnings reports, or even surprising news — say, a war breaks out, or some sort of political upheaval takes place — can cause the market to see a steep decline into correction territory.

Can Market Corrections Be Predicted?

As mentioned, market corrections can’t really be predicted. While it’s almost certain that there will be corrections in the future, discerning when, exactly, they’ll happen is nearly impossible — nobody has a crystal ball.

Coping With Market Corrections as an Investor

Market corrections are going to happen — it’s a near certainty. But that doesn’t mean investors need to panic every time the market has a hiccup.

What to Do During a Market Correction

The first step in knowing what to do during a stock market correction is to find out why it’s happening — if possible. Next, look into your individual portfolio and see how it’s being affected by the correction. This will help you decide whether to buy, sell, or hold on to the stocks in your portfolio.

Remember that stock market corrections are normal. If you have a long-term investing strategy, you will likely see market corrections, bear markets, and recessions during your years of investing. Try to stay calm and reconsider decisions that might be made based on fear or panic. It may not help to obsess over the value of your portfolio on any particular day.

Long-term Strategies for Handling Market Volatility

In terms of handling market volatility over the long term, here are some things and overarching principles investors can try to incorporate into their investment strategy.

•   Have a plan: Blindly buying stocks and then getting upset when they fall in value isn’t ideal. Know what your goals are and plan for them. Even when the market corrects, you can still reach your goals for the year if you plan properly. If you’re investing money to use in just a few months versus for your retirement, your strategy may look very different.

•   Diversify: One way to protect yourself from significant market crashes is to spread out investments over different types of assets. This is called diversifying your portfolio, and this tactic may help lower your risk of losses while still exposing yourself to potential gains. You can diversify into many different types of investments, including bonds, real estate, commodities, and simply by holding cash.

•   Consider cashing out: Investors can be afraid to cash out of a particular stock because it may continue to rise in value. If you own a stock which has gone up significantly, you may want to cash out some of the investment and diversify it into other investments.

•   Keep risk tolerance in mind: If you are growing your portfolio for long-term use, you can likely handle a few ups and downs in the market cycle. However, if it causes you too much stress to see your portfolio go down in value a lot in one day, perhaps it’s better not having so much invested in stocks.

•   Don’t try to time the market: On the same note, selling off your investments because you think the market is going south may not be a great strategy. The stocks you’re holding may continue to go up in value, and even if they do crash, trying to time your reentry can be just as challenging as timing your exit.

•   Think long term: Day trading and short-term investing are risky. If you build a diversified portfolio which you plan to keep invested for a long time before using it, it may be able to withstand cycles in the market and still continue to grow.

Real-World Examples of Market Corrections

As noted, corrections are common. In fact, the S&P 500 entered correction territory three times during 2022. It also happened more than once in 2023, and as of writing, the most recent market correction occurred during October 2023, as the market slid for a few months after topping out at a previous high in July 2023.

In December 2023, the market rebounded, and was near all-time highs.

The Takeaway

Stock market corrections are when the market falls 10% from a previous high, and they’re common parts of the market cycle. As you build your portfolio and mentally prepare for the next stock market correction, remember that you are not alone. Market crashes, dips, and corrections are stressful for everyone, and there are tools and specialists to help you navigate them.

Working with an investment advisor may help you stay calm throughout economic cycles. Planning your portfolio for diversification and long-term growth may also help you ride the waves of the market.

Ready to invest in your goals? It’s easy to get started when you open an investment account with SoFi Invest. You can invest in stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), mutual funds, alternative funds, and more. SoFi doesn’t charge commissions, but other fees apply (full fee disclosure here).

For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

What happens in a stock market correction?

During a stock market correction, the market slides at least 10% from a previous high due to any number of factors.

Are corrections good for the stock market?

Corrections can be good for the stock market in a similar way that a wildfire can be good for a forest — they can serve as a reset to valuations that may have gotten too high, and lower security prices for investors looking to deploy capital.

How long do stock market corrections last?

There’s no telling how long a correction could last, but it’s important to keep in mind that historically, the market has always bounced back given enough time.

What is the biggest stock market correction of all time?

The biggest drop in the S&P 500 in a single day was in October 1987, when the index fell more than 20% into a bear market.

How often should you expect a stock market correction?

Since the 1950s, the S&P 500 has experienced dozens of market corrections, and that means that one occurs less than every two years, on average.

How many corrections have there been throughout history?

In the modern era, since World War II, the stock market has experienced 24 market corrections, with an average market drop of more than 14%.


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Do I Need a Financial Advisor? Essential Considerations

Financial advisors can help their clients to define their financial goals, prioritize them, and develop a plan to achieve them. But depending on the specific individual, a relationship or level of engagement with a financial advisor can vary, as different investors have different needs.

Generally, deciding whether you need a financial advisor will come down to whether you feel you need some advice or a guiding hand in handling your finances. There are important considerations to make, too, as financial advisors don’t typically work for free — but they can help with a variety of finance-related issues.

Understanding the Role of Financial Advisors

Financial advisors can offer many services, but broadly, they’ll dissect a client’s financial picture, discuss their goals with them, and create a plan as to how to move forward.

What Financial Advisors Do

Financial advisors can help clients zero-in on specific financial goals, put together plans for investing or getting out of debt, and more.

An advisor can provide financially based education, which can help their clients identify whether they’re on track for achieving their goals. They can also help clients determine whether their habits are causing problems for their overall financial wellness.

Further, financial advisors can guide their clients through paying off debt, saving for the future, investing in a diversified portfolio, and aligning an investment approach with specific goals, timelines, and risk-tolerance levels.


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Assessing Your Need and Readiness for a Financial Advisor

There are numerous things to consider when trying to determine if you’re ready or in need of a financial advisor and their services.

When to Consider Hiring a Financial Advisor

As clients make their decision about whether to use a financial advisor or not — and, if so, which one will offer what they want and need — here are some items they could consider:

•   What type of help is needed from an advisor? Education? Coaching? Management?

•   What services can the financial advisors provide?

•   How well does this match up with your specific needs?

•   How does the advisor charge? In other words, how does your advisor get paid?

•   What context can be provided about fees? How does a percentage translate into real dollars, both today and in the future?

Evaluating Net Worth, Earnings, Spending, and Financial Goals

It’s important to note that not everyone’s financial situation will warrant professional financial advice. As such, you’ll want to take some time to try and evaluate your net worth, earnings, and goals — do you feel that you can keep a grasp on those aspects of your financial picture? Or do you feel like you’re in over your head?

If you feel like you could use some advice, then it may be a good idea to reach out to a financial professional and see how they may be able to help.

Life Events and SituationsThat Warrant Professional Advice

Also keep in mind that your situation will change over time. You may get a new job, a big promotion, or a big raise — all of which can drastically change your financial situation. In such cases, if the change is significant enough, it could be a good idea to reach out for guidance.

Types of Financial Advisors and Their Services

“Financial advisor” is a broad term that describes several different specialties. Accordingly, it can be helpful to understand the different types of financial advisors out there.

Different Financial Advisor Specializations

Here are some (but not all) of the different types of advisors:

•   Certified professional planners (CFP®): CFPs are advisors who’ve earned a specific designation, and that can help people with a large range of financial services.

•   Wealth managers: Wealth managers take a broad approach to helping individuals with their finances, and typically offer a range of services.

•   Investment advisors: Investment advisors focus on providing advice and management related to investment portfolios.

•   Retirement planners: Like investment advisors, retirement planners tend to focus on a specific area of a person’s financial picture: Retirement.

Choosing the Right Type of Advisor for Your Needs

The specific type of financial advisor that is a good particular fit for any individual will vary depending on the person’s specific situation. As such, there’s no “one-size-fits-all” for financial advisors, and you’ll likely be best off giving some serious thought as to your needs, and how an advisor can help you.

It may be worth speaking with several different advisors to get a better sense of how they could help, and then making a decision as to which, if any, to work with.

Understanding Advisor Fees and Payment Structures

There are many types of fees and payment structures that may apply to financial advisors.

Commissions

When advisors are compensated on a commission basis, they receive pay based on the products they sell. The amount of commission paid can vary widely depending upon the product and the company.

Multiple arrangements can exist for advisors paid on commission, including receiving a percentage of a client’s assets before money is invested or being paid by the financial institution involved after a transaction takes place. Or, the client might be charged each time that stocks are bought or sold.

Advisory Fees

When an advisory fee is charged by the advisor, the general charge for the client is a percentage of the assets they manage. It’s reasonable to expect that an advisor can explain the reasoning behind the fee being charged, given a client’s specific circumstances — and if it’s higher than expected, it’s also reasonable to ask what added value the client is receiving.

Perhaps, for example, the advisor also helps with tax planning, or estate planning. They may be investigating a client’s financial vulnerabilities or otherwise going beyond standard money management services.

Actively managed portfolios may come with a higher fee because the advisor may charge more for putting more effort into getting the best value for their client.

Planning Fees

With this type of fee, the advisor would charge an upfront fee, or a subscription-based one, to provide either a financial plan or ongoing advice. As a potential client considers financial advisors, they may find themselves talking to someone who charges a fixed planning fee to create an initial plan and then uses a different fee structure to actually manage the portfolio. What’s most important is to be clear about what will be charged, and how.

Hourly Fees

In this case, the financial advisor charges a straight hourly fee for their services. On the one hand, having an advisor charge an annual fee means that a client may not need to worry as much that their advisor is recommending products because of the income the advisor would earn off of that recommendation.

Choosing a financial advisor that charges per hour can be costly, though, especially if more investigation needs to be done to find a product that fits a client’s needs. This may or may not be a huge concern, but if resources are limited these fees can potentially be hefty.

How to Choose the Right Financial Advisor

There’s no “right” financial advisor for everyone, but there can be some who may be better fits for your specific situation than others.

Tips for Finding and Selecting an Advisor

Starting broadly, it can be helpful to try and discern what types of services you need, or what type of advice you think would be most beneficial. From there, you’ll want to winnow down the types of advisors you’re looking for — you can review the short list above, or dig even deeper — and think about how those types of advisors can address your needs.

Then, consider the fees and costs, also as discussed. Some may not necessarily be worth the cost of retaining their services — but again, it’ll depend on the individual.

You can also look at, or search for advisors through various trade groups — there are many for financial professionals. It can be helpful to narrow down your search to a few selections, meet or interview them, and then make a decision.

Red Flags and Key Factors to Consider

A few things to look out for when you’re shopping around for financial advisors or planning services: Conflicts of interest, a lack of credentials or qualifications, and high-pressure sales tactics. While these aren’t necessarily deal-killers, they can be things to look out for. And remember, if you feel uncomfortable, you can always move on and talk to other advisors – there are hundreds of thousands of them in the U.S.!


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Working with a Financial Advisor

Working with a financial advisor should be a rewarding experience. Here’s what to expect.

What to Expect in the Relationship

You should anticipate that your relationship with your advisor will be close — but not too close. They’ll take a hard look at your finances, consider your goals, and (hopefully) do their best to give you actionable advice and guidance. They may not want to get too personable, though, as emotion can enter the picture and make the process a bit murkier.

You should be ready to share fairly detailed aspects of your financial life, your career, family and personal goals, and more. That may be uncomfortable for some, but it’s important for an advisor to get the whole picture and map out a way to help you reach your goals.

The Takeaway

Financial advisors help individuals reach their financial goals by offering advice and guidance. There are many different types of financial advisors, and many different ways in which they are paid or charge for their services. As such, there’s no catch-all “financial advisor,” and not every type of advisor will be right for each individual.

For that reason, it’s important that you take the time to figure out your needs, and determine what type of advisor, if any, is the best fit for your situation. It may take some time to figure it out, but if you want the most bang for your buck, it could be worth it down the road.

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For a limited time, opening and funding an Active Invest account gives you the opportunity to get up to $1,000 in the stock of your choice.

FAQ

Is it really worth having a financial advisor?

It can be worth having a financial advisor, but it’ll ultimately depend on each individual. Some people may not feel that an advisor is worth it, while others will say the opposite – there’s no clear, one-size-fits-all answer.

Does the average person need a financial advisor?

Whether someone needs a financial advisor depends on several factors, and while many “average” people feel they can handle their finances perfectly fine without a professional, others might not.

Do I need a financial advisor for my 401(k)?

You don’t necessarily need a financial advisor for a 401(k), but they may be helpful if you want to add an element of active management into the mix. That said, not everyone will feel that they need an advisor to oversee or help manage one retirement account.

Why don’t people use financial advisors?

Some people may not want to use financial advisors because they don’t feel that they have enough money or wealth to warrant it, and because they want to avoid the fees and costs associated with professional advice.


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