Everyone is their own financial advisor. I know. Scary right? The great majority, especially in Middle Class America, are without the proper education and real-life experience to make sound long-term financial decisions day in and day out.

We have all watched our family members handle their money but have they been well informed? Are their decisions based on the whole picture or just one piece of the puzzle? Are the most powerful influences in your life professionals with little to no actual financial planning education?

Here's how you are being guided by unofficial financial advice:

1. You let your car insurance guy sell you life insurance. Nothing against the car insurance guy or gal but life insurance shouldn't be pushed primarily to get a bundle package deal. Life Insurance is central to person or families financial portfolio.

2. You act too busy to get sound financial advice. You work hard but never take the time to fully understand how a budget works so your money can work harder for you, how your income and assets fund your retirement, how to diversify risk and protect yourself from the stock market collapsing and more.

3. You are not open to investing in anything. You think its too risky or too hard to get into. You make a blanket lifelong decision not to get into the stock market or real estate because one family member or friend lost. Maybe they just sucked at it or didn't do it right or had the wrong partner.

Writing off sound financial advice because of fear, ignorance, busyness, or a pessimistic perspective can be the single most devastating financial decision you ever make without actually losing any money.