bwilk,
Your comment ...To which I say, "If everyone who used an advisor were wealthy, everyone would use an advisor and everyone would be wealthy, but as you know, that is not the case." Working with an advisor is no guarantee of success either...
Well I had to sleep on that comment as it was very intellectually based (it appeared to be a left brain response to a right brain issue). I don't feel as though you can reverse my comment as you did. What I am saying is that if everyone understood how to reach their goals (ie. lead a comfortable retirement without any concern over income, or any other goal you may dream up) they would do it! Now please respond and tell me if you beleive that is a correct statement...then tell me why people don't do it.
You can respond with statictical evidence, or just get in touch with the reality of the world we live in.
There are absolutely no guarentee's in this life, but in regards to obtaining financial independece, finding and using a financial advisor is I believe the best chance you'll have, but you may want to ask those who ARE financially independent what they think.
Finally I am surpised at your ability to misunderstand my comments, make the "pompus" statement, and completely ignore my post. Never did I say the "individual investor has NO chance of getting wealthy on their own" I just said that my belief is (they) need advice. Further more if you would actually read my posts rather than be so defensive of your own position, you will see that for those who have succeeded on thier "own" I offer congratulations.
If you bwilk, are there (ie. have financial independence) then my sincere congratuation to you, your family, and the generations to come. If not, please bite your lip until you have either succeded, or guided someone to such. Then you may have a better understanding towards the tremendous good that financial advisors give to those who are willing to sit at the table.