--- title: Mark Zaifman|Money Matters Blog | fiduciary description: fiduciary | Articles on Investing, Retirement Planning, Cash Flow Planning and Tax Planning --- [![Spiritus Financial Logo](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/Spiritus_Financial_logo.png?width=238&name=Spiritus_Financial_logo.png "Spiritus Financial Logo")](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/) [707-534-9478](tel:707-534-9478) ![spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Spiritusfinancial-2016/Image/spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png?width=933&name=spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png "spiritus-financial-water-ripples-banner.png") # MONEY matters Mark Zaifman's thoughts on money, global economic trends and politics ##### [It's Time to Stop Giving Your Power Away Around Money](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/its-time-to-stop-giving-your-power-away-around-money) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Tue, Jul 03, 2018 @ 10:24 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![clown2](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hubfs/clown2.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/its-time-to-stop-giving-your-power-away-around-money) For years I’ve witnessed how we give too much of our power away when we visit our Doctor’s office. Instead of asking why they recommend we do x or y, we blithely follow whatever recommendation is made. After all, they’re the one with MD next to their name, so who are we to question their instructions? [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/its-time-to-stop-giving-your-power-away-around-money) ** [retirement planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning), [fiduciary](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fiduciary), [registered investment advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/registered-investment-advisor) ##### [Beware of 'IRA Rollover Specialists' Masquerading as Financial Advisors](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/beware-of-ira-rollover-specialists-masquerading-as-financial-advisors) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, May 15, 2015 @ 06:33 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hubfs/masquerade-1.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/beware-of-ira-rollover-specialists-masquerading-as-financial-advisors) ### **False Promises, Dashed Dreams** A couple weeks ago, a client in Oakland emailed me an article from Money Magazine titled: **[*4 Disastrous Retirement Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.*](http://time.com/money/3546592/ira-rollover-mistakes-retirement/)** The premise of this must read article for anyone getting close to retirement and wanting to **rollover their IRA** is to see past the hype being touting by many a financial salesperson masquerading as an advisor, but really only concerned with their commission payout and not your financial wellness and security. [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/beware-of-ira-rollover-specialists-masquerading-as-financial-advisors) ** [book recommendation](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation), [fee-only financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fee-only-financial-planning), [fiduciary](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fiduciary), [registered investment advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/registered-investment-advisor) ##### [5 Questions You Should Ask Your Financial Advisor](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Thu, Nov 14, 2013 @ 09:01 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-381157730-jpg/images/aif_logo.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) The following definition of ‘fiduciary’ is taken from the Center for Fiduciary Studies, [**fi360 website**](http://www.fi360.com/): [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/139843/5-Questions-You-Should-Ask-Your-Financial-Advisor) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [fiduciary](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fiduciary), [financial adviser](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-adviser) ##### [Fiduciaries-Relationships Built on Trust, Not Just Investment Returns](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/110556/Fiduciaries-Relationships-Built-on-Trust-Not-Just-Investment-Returns) ** [Mark Zaifman](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/author/mark-zaifman)   |   ** Fri, Oct 26, 2012 @ 05:28 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) [![](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/hs-fs/file-15887305-jpg/images/trapeze2.jpg) ](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/110556/Fiduciaries-Relationships-Built-on-Trust-Not-Just-Investment-Returns) When it comes to professional investment or financial planning advice, clients want to work with someone who is both competent and committed to serving their best interests, someone that honors and values integrity as a core belief. In short, they want someone they can trust. They want a fiduciary. Maybe you’ve just received an inheritance, or you’ve decided to get your financial house in order by developing a comprehensive financial plan, or you’re preparing for retirement and you’re seeking the guidance of financial planner. Whatever the reason for contacting me, I often get asked the same questions: [Read More   **](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/bid/110556/Fiduciaries-Relationships-Built-on-Trust-Not-Just-Investment-Returns) ** [investing](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing), [financial planning](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning), [fiduciary](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fiduciary) [All posts](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/all) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Recent Topics - [retirement planning (103)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/retirement-planning) - [investing (93)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/investing) - [book recommendation (54)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/book-recommendation) - [relationship with money (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/relationship-with-money) - [risk management (39)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/risk-management) - [fee-only financial planning (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/fee-only-financial-planning) - [save money (38)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/save-money) - [financial planning (36)](https://www.spiritusfinancial.com/blog/topic/financial-planning) © 2026 Spiritus Financial Planning. 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