I just got Sirius in my car (no-it wasn't because of Howard Stern. Ok, maybe a little!)  and was listening to CNBC.  Three things struck me during my 50 minute commute to eBay:  1) CNBC has way too many commercials, 2) Adam (my carpool evangelist) snores and 3) no brokers (I mean financial advisors) like those potrayed in #1 above actually exist.

Honestly, is any financial advisor really going to make a toast at my daughter's wedding and get all choked up?  Or is my financial advisor going to push my grandchild on a swing when I'm too old to do it myself? 

While I am sure there are many high quality financial advisors out there, I wish the firms that peddle their services would be honest.  I had a financial advisor from a nameless big investment bank and I assure you he wasn't very cuddly.  He did, however, charge me 1.5% of assets.  I never really felt like I got a fair return on that deal since my money when I ended the relationship < money when I started the relationship.

For those of you who want to try investing yourself, I suggest you try Financial Engines.  Disclosure: I have no affiliation with this company except I tried to help take them public in the good old days.  I do, however, use their service.   More on that later.