If you're getting investment advice from a professional, don’t be afraid to ask him or her what investment opportunities they believe in strongly enough to take advantage of themselves. Keep in mind, though, that those might not be appropriate to you, and discuss that possibility with them.

Investment advice is useless unless the advisor really knows something about you and your situation. Don't take a stranger's suggestion as gospel, especially if you didn't ask for it. While Berkshire Hathaway may indeed be an excellent stock to own, the typically small investor can't afford the $110,000 per-share price tag.

Take all investment advice with a grain of salt, no matter who it comes from. Even giants like Warren Buffett have been known to make mistakes. If an investment feels wrong to you, or dimply doesn't fit your long-term investment plans, then give it a pass.