Most women, sooner rather than later, will end up alone.

Sorry, but this is just a sad fact of life. Many of us, consequently, will find ourselves in the position of working with a financial adviser we may not have selected or even like. Since trust is the essential ingredient of a successful adviser-client relationship, this is unpleasant. 

When my son and daughter were in grade school, I turned every shopping trip into an exercise in investment research. Mostly these outings were successful in building their understanding of economics and investing. Sometimes, though, my children would shrink in embarrassment as Mom lectured a poor, hapless employee on the merits of customer service.  (Do-over, please!)