If you want apples, you have to shake the trees. 

Many investors deploy sophisticated strategies (that will likely underperform) while leaving the low-hanging fruit to rot. These investments are simple things that can almost certainly result in higher return without one iota of extra risk. Tactics like moving cash around to higher-yield products, or paying down debt, are simple areas where advisors can provide great advice to clients, who may be missing the investing forest for the proverbial trees. 

Low-Yielding Cash

Having some cash on hand is fine, but it needs to be both safe and working hard. A recent review of a Schwab statement showed its bank sweep account yielded a whopping 0.01% annually. (Indeed, two of my clients…