It’s amazing how accustomed we’ve become to things working. Never has there been such a time when things have been so dependable. Whether they’re cars or computers, things are more reliable and it’s given us a false sense of security.

We’re pretty shocked when something does stop working. Don’t get me wrong, reliability is a good thing. I can remember when I got my first car, it was always kind of a gamble as to whether it was going to start or strand me at my current location. So yesterday when our clothes dryer stopped working, we just stood there staring at it for a moment in disbelief. We turned it on and off, unplugged it and pressed a bunch of buttons waiting for it to magically come back to life.

We take things like clean clothes for granted until the machine you rely upon breaks. Then it’s full-on panic mode. It was through this process that we found an incredible new addition to our list of reliable and trusted sources. We lucked out with Nick, the owner of a local appliance repair shop. It’s a vulnerable place to be when you need help with something that you’re not an expert on. You want to work with someone who’s going to take the time to share their expertise with you and educate you on the issue. Someone who’s going to give you honest advice and, most importantly, treat you the way they would want to be treated.

Nobody likes to be taken advantage of and good communication is one of the building blocks of trust. Fearing for the worst we held our breath when Nick called us into the laundry room. He told us the dryer looked pretty good overall and suggested a cost effective repair that would get us back running and should last for years to come.

It’s not just about appliance repair. We want this same honest and trustworthy dealings with any expert we come in contact with. It doesn’t matter if it’s your doctor, plumber, mechanic or financial planner. We want to trust the people that are doing important work for us. Outside of your health, your financial needs rank pretty high on the list. Not everyone is an expert in creating a thorough retirement plan. There are many things to consider from inflation to future healthcare costs, and from creating an income plan to navigating an estate plan.

Feeling a little lost or even vulnerable is understandable when trying to figure out what to do. It’s why meeting with a financial professional who specializes in retirement planning is such a good idea. Most financial advisors offer a complimentary, no obligation financial review for a first meeting. One of the most important things about these meetings is to feel comfortable with the person you’re going to entrust your nest egg with. Trust is something that takes time to develop but it starts with good open communication with someone who demonstrates they are looking out for your best interests.

Stuff will break, things will go wrong, but having a small group of trusted people in your corner will help you get through it easier than you think.