What I am learning is that Free Advice, and advice in general should always be viewed from the context it is being given to you.
Odd Advice
An example of this is I was told when I was laid off, “Don’t tell anyone about this…”, as soon as I heard that I went “WTF“? Why wouldn’t I tell people? Me telling people has got me more “job leads”, helpful hints, positive reinforcement and general niceties, than I could ever have dreamed of, so that was very bad “free” advice.
Financial Advice
If I get “great” advice from a Mutual Fund salesman about what funds I should buy, should I take that advice at face value? Of course not, it may well be the best advice, but you must take into context of where the advice is coming from. If an insurance sales person tells me I should buy Whole Life insurance to protect my family, is that good advice? Not really, at least not in my opinion.
I always preface any advice I might give for any reason with, “Your mileage may vary”, or something to that effect, because what has worked for me, is not guaranteed to work for anyone else in the same situation.
Good Advice
Then you have other great advice, like from Drippy Chick, who pointed me at www.petersnewjobs.com to get on the mailing list for jobs in Ottawa in Toronto, fantastic advice (I’d already subscribed to it, but good advice, no doubt).
Lots of great investing and financial advice from N.C.F.B.A. and other good financial blogging sites, but again, remember you are getting that advice for free, so remember that point as well.
