<prompt> Human: Im mid thirties, quite a ways from retirement. I should be as aggressive as possible, and Im completely angry that my portfolio isnt even keeping pace with the SP. ESPECIALLY since Im paying 1.7 average in management fees. This is a non-retail account under an IRA umbrella, so I dont pay a ton to the advisor. A friend of mine, with a retail account, is up 31 YTD with fees. He uses the same broker, and is in exactly the same financial situation. So Ive been with this guy for about 6 years, and he did save me from losing a shit ton in the collapse. Over that 6 year period, Im up around 24 cumulative, and the SP is up around 18 for the same. So Im coming out ahead, but Im pissed about earning about HALF what my friend is earning. Were both in mutual funds, so no individual stocks. Anyway, would you fire the guy, and find someone else? Would you bite the bullet, and just spend the time to DIY it? Thanks!  <response>: he did save me from losing a shit ton in the collapse. Im pissed about earning about HALF what my friend is earning.Those 2 items are pretty much mutually exclusive if youre focused on index investing. Either youre maximizing returns and loses by being fully invested in stocks, or you have some portion of your investments in something thats lower risk. If you think your advisor somehow knows when to change this balance, well, he doesnt. Regardless of the performance, you should really figure out why youre paying almost 2 in management fees. Dont speculate, straight up ask your advisor what youre getting for this payment, and if you dont like the answer, its time to do something else. 