Early financial planning leverages compound interest for long-term growth.
Millennials benefit from professional guidance to navigate complex debt and goals.
Starting with an advisor early builds strong financial habits for life.
Choosing an Advisor
The Value of Starting Early: Hiring a Financial Advisor for Millennials
The Value of Starting Early: Hiring a Financial Advisor for Millennials
The Value of Starting Early: Hiring a Financial Advisor for Millennials
Zoe Team
6 min read
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should millennials hire a financial advisor?
Advisors help millennials manage complex financial lives, including debt repayment, goal setting, and building habits that secure long-term wealth.
Is it too early for a millennial to get an advisor?
No. Starting early allows you to leverage compound interest and receive professional guidance before major life changes occur.
What is the primary benefit of early financial advice?
The main benefit is creating a solid financial foundation and strategy that maximizes growth potential while avoiding common early-career mistakes.
As a millennial, hiring a financial advisor is a unique but incredibly valuable experience.
Millennials don’t have the best reputation when it comes to their financial habits. Countless articles, financial journalists, and studies critique alleged over-spending and even poke holes at the desire for a daily cup of coffee. Bank of America research shows one in four millennials worry often about their finances. They have unprecedented and unique financial struggles. For many millennials, the top stressor is often not having enough saved. Yet a financial advisor for millennials can provide infinite support in creating a plan.
How To: Hiring a Financial Advisor as a Millennial
The picture isn’t as bad as it looks. The same research also shows 63 percent of millennials are saving and 67 percent who have a savings goal meet it. It is possible, with the right help. Organizing your finances shouldn’t become part of the long to-do list that tends to result in what Buzzfeed calls ‘errand paralysis’. Just because it doesn’t require immediate attention, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start now.
Why Are Millennials Struggling Financially?
Millennials are facing many challenges when it comes to getting their finances in order. High costs of living, staggering college debt, the fallout of the Great Recession and the most uncertain job market in recent decades are some of them. A large portion of a millennial’s budget is most likely allocated to high rents and paying off debt. That means there is little to spend freely or save.
Millennials are financially worse off because their net worth is less than prior cohorts. A recent Deloitte study shows the net worth of Americans ages 18 to 35 has decreased by around a third (34%) since 1996. They are also predominantly stressed out about debt, according to a recent Insider and Morning Consult survey for ‘The State of Our Money’ series. By default, millennials are pushing back major life events because they can’t afford them. Incomes haven’t increased as fast as rent, home prices, and college tuition. The annual salary of a millennial today is about 20 percent lower than that for a baby boomer at the same age. The same Deloitte study also shows that they spend about 17 percent of their incomes on education, health care, and rent. This, compared with 12 percent a decade ago.
According to the Pew Research Center, 29 percent of millennials who aren’t married say the reason they’ve put off marriage is financial instability. Similarly, stagnant wages have resulted in millennials renting longer and delaying homeownership. Perhaps more worrying, 55 percent say they don’t have a retirement savings account. This is because they can’t afford to contribute to one.
What Is Important To Millennials When It Comes To Financial Advice?
Despite common thinking, millennials are more disciplined when it comes to money. They are more dedicated to saving and nearly 3 in 4 stick to their budgets. They are also more risk-aware and practical, having lived through two or, some, three financial crises. They want risk-aware and practical financial advice that suits their lifestyles. This is crucial when hiring a financial advisor for millennials.
Millennials have a different definition of financial success. According to a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management report, only 19 percent define it as being rich. An overwhelming 60 percent define it as being debt-free. And it makes sense. With debt being the predominant financial stressor amongst them. But they also live life with a ‘treat yourself’ mentality.
Two-thirds of millennials said saving for the future is as gratifying as treating themselves today. As such, they are not looking for advice that reinforces the idea of them being irresponsible. They want advice that is non-judgmental and tailored to their circumstances and lifestyle. Not one that judges their monthly treats but gets them a rich bank account.
What Do Millennials Look For In a Financial Advisor?
Millennials look for an advisor with the right background, education, and training. This usually looks like having the right credentials, like being a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). It means you can be sure they’ve completed the accreditation process with the required experience. But they also look for someone who treats them as an equal.
This means an advisor who most likely has worked with similar clients - other millennials - before them. Someone who is familiar with their struggles. Someone with whom they can build good rapport. They will be talking with them regularly and sharing a lot, so they don’t want to be uncomfortable, or feel as thoughthey are being judged.
Millennials also look for someone who has a succession plan, in case something prevents the advisor from working with them. The advisor should also be someone with a good network of multidisciplinary professionals. This way, the advice given is practical and it all comes from one place.
Millennials care about their investment philosophy, tech stack, and fees. They want someone who has experience with social impact investing and digital tools. All in all, they are looking for a financial advisor that offers one-stop tailored service. Someone who caters to their life right now but also plans for the future, even if they don’t plan to retire anytime soon.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor in My 30s?
Yes. Now is the ideal time to find an advisor who considers both your short- and long-term financial goals. Even if you are now looking to buy your first home, saving for retirement should still be on your horizon. The right financial advisor will incorporate both in a strategy that works for your circumstances without too much sacrifice.
A financial advisor will make sure your money is working for you no matter what your plans may be. They will guide you through the power of compounding interest and the importance of starting early. Because you have to be in the game to have a chance of winning. Missing the top 10 days in the market over a 20-year period can cut your returns by half, research shows.
Say you invest $100 every month in the stock market for the next 30 years. This would give you $117,000 with a 7% return in your 60s when you are nearing retirement age. If you do it for 40 years - so either start earlier or until your 70s - it would be more than $248,000. Over the years, this is a significantly larger return than if you had just left the money in a savings account, as you can see in the graph.
Hiring a financial advisor is a natural next-step as your financial goals change. Financial growth is exciting and can take you to the next level financially. This also means you can continue treating yourself with the ease of mind of knowing you are actively building a safety net for yourself in case you need it.
As a millennial, hiring a financial advisor is a unique but incredibly valuable experience.
Millennials don’t have the best reputation when it comes to their financial habits. Countless articles, financial journalists, and studies critique alleged over-spending and even poke holes at the desire for a daily cup of coffee. Bank of America research shows one in four millennials worry often about their finances. They have unprecedented and unique financial struggles. For many millennials, the top stressor is often not having enough saved. Yet a financial advisor for millennials can provide infinite support in creating a plan.
How To: Hiring a Financial Advisor as a Millennial
The picture isn’t as bad as it looks. The same research also shows 63 percent of millennials are saving and 67 percent who have a savings goal meet it. It is possible, with the right help. Organizing your finances shouldn’t become part of the long to-do list that tends to result in what Buzzfeed calls ‘errand paralysis’. Just because it doesn’t require immediate attention, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t start now.
Why Are Millennials Struggling Financially?
Millennials are facing many challenges when it comes to getting their finances in order. High costs of living, staggering college debt, the fallout of the Great Recession and the most uncertain job market in recent decades are some of them. A large portion of a millennial’s budget is most likely allocated to high rents and paying off debt. That means there is little to spend freely or save.
Millennials are financially worse off because their net worth is less than prior cohorts. A recent Deloitte study shows the net worth of Americans ages 18 to 35 has decreased by around a third (34%) since 1996. They are also predominantly stressed out about debt, according to a recent Insider and Morning Consult survey for ‘The State of Our Money’ series. By default, millennials are pushing back major life events because they can’t afford them. Incomes haven’t increased as fast as rent, home prices, and college tuition. The annual salary of a millennial today is about 20 percent lower than that for a baby boomer at the same age. The same Deloitte study also shows that they spend about 17 percent of their incomes on education, health care, and rent. This, compared with 12 percent a decade ago.
According to the Pew Research Center, 29 percent of millennials who aren’t married say the reason they’ve put off marriage is financial instability. Similarly, stagnant wages have resulted in millennials renting longer and delaying homeownership. Perhaps more worrying, 55 percent say they don’t have a retirement savings account. This is because they can’t afford to contribute to one.
What Is Important To Millennials When It Comes To Financial Advice?
Despite common thinking, millennials are more disciplined when it comes to money. They are more dedicated to saving and nearly 3 in 4 stick to their budgets. They are also more risk-aware and practical, having lived through two or, some, three financial crises. They want risk-aware and practical financial advice that suits their lifestyles. This is crucial when hiring a financial advisor for millennials.
Millennials have a different definition of financial success. According to a Merrill Lynch Wealth Management report, only 19 percent define it as being rich. An overwhelming 60 percent define it as being debt-free. And it makes sense. With debt being the predominant financial stressor amongst them. But they also live life with a ‘treat yourself’ mentality.
Two-thirds of millennials said saving for the future is as gratifying as treating themselves today. As such, they are not looking for advice that reinforces the idea of them being irresponsible. They want advice that is non-judgmental and tailored to their circumstances and lifestyle. Not one that judges their monthly treats but gets them a rich bank account.
What Do Millennials Look For In a Financial Advisor?
Millennials look for an advisor with the right background, education, and training. This usually looks like having the right credentials, like being a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). It means you can be sure they’ve completed the accreditation process with the required experience. But they also look for someone who treats them as an equal.
This means an advisor who most likely has worked with similar clients - other millennials - before them. Someone who is familiar with their struggles. Someone with whom they can build good rapport. They will be talking with them regularly and sharing a lot, so they don’t want to be uncomfortable, or feel as thoughthey are being judged.
Millennials also look for someone who has a succession plan, in case something prevents the advisor from working with them. The advisor should also be someone with a good network of multidisciplinary professionals. This way, the advice given is practical and it all comes from one place.
Millennials care about their investment philosophy, tech stack, and fees. They want someone who has experience with social impact investing and digital tools. All in all, they are looking for a financial advisor that offers one-stop tailored service. Someone who caters to their life right now but also plans for the future, even if they don’t plan to retire anytime soon.
Do I Need a Financial Advisor in My 30s?
Yes. Now is the ideal time to find an advisor who considers both your short- and long-term financial goals. Even if you are now looking to buy your first home, saving for retirement should still be on your horizon. The right financial advisor will incorporate both in a strategy that works for your circumstances without too much sacrifice.
A financial advisor will make sure your money is working for you no matter what your plans may be. They will guide you through the power of compounding interest and the importance of starting early. Because you have to be in the game to have a chance of winning. Missing the top 10 days in the market over a 20-year period can cut your returns by half, research shows.
Say you invest $100 every month in the stock market for the next 30 years. This would give you $117,000 with a 7% return in your 60s when you are nearing retirement age. If you do it for 40 years - so either start earlier or until your 70s - it would be more than $248,000. Over the years, this is a significantly larger return than if you had just left the money in a savings account, as you can see in the graph.
Hiring a financial advisor is a natural next-step as your financial goals change. Financial growth is exciting and can take you to the next level financially. This also means you can continue treating yourself with the ease of mind of knowing you are actively building a safety net for yourself in case you need it.
Disclosures: Zoe Financial, Inc. ("Zoe Financial") is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Zoe Financial provides investment advisory services and access to independent registered investment advisers through its platform. The information provided by Zoe Financial is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as personalized investment advice or as an offer to buy or sell any security. All investments involve risk, including possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Clients should consult with their own financial, tax, or legal professionals before making any investment decisions. The material presented by Zoe Financial is for informational purposes only and is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation of any particular security, strategy, or investment product. Material presented has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Adviser cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Zoe Financial does not provide legal or tax advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as legal or tax advice. SEC Registration does not constitute an endorsement of Zoe Financial by the SEC nor does it indicate that Zoe Financial has attained a particular level of skill or ability. The sole purpose of this material is to inform, and it in no way is intended to be an offer or solicitation to purchase or sell any security, other investment or service, or to attract any funds or deposits. Investments mentioned may not be appropriate for all clients. Before making any investment, each investor should carefully consider the risks associated with the investment, as discussed in the applicable offering memorandum, and make a determination based upon their own particular circumstances, that the investment is consistent with their investment objectives and risk tolerance. Lower expenses do not guarantee better investment performance. Certain information contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events, results or the performance of a fund may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking statements.
Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.
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New York, NY, 10017
Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved
Find an Advisor
Retirement Planning
Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.
(646) 680-9244
support@zoefin.com
666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017
Copyright © 2026 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved
Find an Advisor
Retirement Planning
Disclosure: This page is not investment advice and should not be relied on for such advice or as a substitute for consultation with professional accounting, tax, legal or financial advisors. The observations of industry trends should not be read as recommendations for stocks or sectors.
Investment advisory services are provided by Zoe Financial, Inc. (Zoe Financial), an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Learn more about Zoe Financial on the SEC’s Investment Adviser Public Disclosure website. Brokerage services are provided by Zoe Securities LLC and Apex Clearing Corporation, members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA) and Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC). Learn more about Zoe Securities and Apex on FINRA’s BrokerCheck website.
The information in the visuals above is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent an actual user's account, balance, or return. Zoe Financial does not provide tax or legal advice.
Explore the Zoe Wealth Platform with AI
Some of this content may have been generated with the assistance of AI. Please review and sense-check all outputs, as AI tools can occasionally produce incomplete or inaccurate information.
In certain situations, you may be required to disclose that the content was “generated by AI.” Please confirm any specific disclosure or labelling requirements with Compliance.
(646) 680-9244
support@zoefin.com
666 Third Ave, 6th Floor
New York, NY, 10017
Copyright © 2025 Zoe Financial, Inc. | All rights reserved