David Bromelkamp
David Bromelkamp is an investor advocate, author and founder of AdvisorSmart®, established in 2018 to help individual investors make smarter decisions about finding, evaluating and compensating financial advisors. Sometimes referred to as the "Jerry Maguire of Financial Advice," he is an advocate for objective financial advice and for greater consumer understanding of how financial advisors are paid, the conflicts that compensation arrangements can create and the alternatives available to investors.
His first book, AdvisorSmart for the Individual Investor: Your Guide to Selecting a Financial Advisor to Get Better Financial Advice, was published in April 2025 to help consumers navigate the often-confusing financial advice marketplace and make more informed decisions when selecting and retaining a financial advisor.
Bromelkamp is writing his second book, FeeSmart for the Individual Investor: How Savvy Investors Avoid Overpaying for Financial Advice, which focuses on one of the most overlooked questions in personal finance: How much should investors pay for financial advice — and what exactly should they receive for that price?
He is also the author of the Mister Fiduciary blog, which explores the legal, ethical and moral dimensions of fiduciary relationships and what it means for financial professionals to deliver great financial advice while placing their clients' interests first.
Through his Kiplinger Adviser Intel articles, Bromelkamp writes for individual investors about finding objective financial advice, understanding advisor compensation, identifying conflicts of interest, evaluating advisory fees and finding practical ways to obtain better financial advice at a fair price.
Email: david@AdvisorSmart.com | Website: www.AdvisorSmart.com
Latest articles by David Bromelkamp
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How to Find Financial Advice for Everyday PeopleIt can be hard to find professionals who provide comprehensive financial planning for average Americans. The Garrett Planning Network aims to change that.
By David Bromelkamp
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Financial Pro Red Flags: Are You Getting Unbiased Advice?How can you be sure you're getting unbiased, comprehensive financial advice that fits your life, not product recommendations that reward your financial pro?
By David Bromelkamp
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Why NAPFA is the Place to Start Looking for Financial AdviceThe National Association of Personal Financial Advisors (NAPFA) was set up to help consumers find unbiased financial advice. Today, it's more needed than ever.
By David Bromelkamp
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Revenue Sharing: How Can You Avoid This Sneaky Sales Incentive?Revenue sharing means some financial professionals are rewarded for steering you toward certain products. It's big business, but here's the solution.
By David Bromelkamp
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Why 'Fiduciary' Does Not Always Mean What You Think It Means"Fiduciary" is sometimes used to blend legal obligations, professional ethics and marketing language into one trust-building slogan that could be misleading.
By David Bromelkamp
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How to Hire the Right Financial Expert, Not a SalespersonOne of your most important financial decisions is who you trust for advice. Your best bet is a fee-only professional legally committed to your best interests.
By David Bromelkamp
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The Truth About 'Top Producer' Financial AdvisorsJust because a financial pro is a celebrated "top producer" doesn't mean they're not simply a skilled salesperson whose compensation is tied to selling products.
By David Bromelkamp
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Looking for Financial Advice? Start With This QuestionBefore you search for a financial professional, ask yourself what kind of financial advice you need. You'll then know where to look — and what fees to expect.
By David Bromelkamp
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Investors' Top 10 Frustrations With Financial ProfessionalsThe hidden costs, conflicts of interest and generalized advice that leave investors dissatisfied, and how to find a financial professional you truly trust.
By David Bromelkamp
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The Radical Idea That Led to Client-First Financial PlanningThe earliest leaders of financial planning believed compensation structure matters to ensure objective advice that puts the client's needs first.
By David Bromelkamp
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Think Like Warren Buffett When You Pay for Financial AdviceWhat you pay for financial advice is secondary to the true value you receive, which is why the structure of your financial professional's compensation matters.
By David Bromelkamp
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Don't Ask 'Are You a Fiduciary?' — Use This Question InsteadAsking "Are you a fiduciary?" won't tell you everything about a financial professional. Here's a question that will clarify where you stand, 100% of the time.
By David Bromelkamp
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Fee-Only Financial Advice: Do You Really Know What It Means?How does fee-only financial advice differ from fee-based or commission-based advice? Knowing the difference is a critical step toward receiving unbiased help.
By David Bromelkamp
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'Fee-Only' and 'Fiduciary': Why You Must Know the DifferenceThe terms fiduciary and fee-only are not interchangeable. Knowing the difference ensures investors get the advice and the consumer protection they need.
By David Bromelkamp
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Why I Became an Advocate for Fee-Only Financial AdviceCan financial advisers who earn commissions on product sales give clients the best advice? For one professional, changing track was the clear choice.
By David Bromelkamp
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The Fiduciary Firewall: An Expert's Five-Step Guide to Honest Financial PlanningArmed with education and awareness, you can avoid unethical people in the financial industry by seeking fee-only fiduciaries and sharing your knowledge with others.
By David Bromelkamp
