EDUCATE YOURSELF - yes, it will take time, but will lead to a selection that better meets your expectations & avoids potentially costly surprises!

If you don’t fully understand this you’ve got more education necessary before becoming an investor.4.

It's an education that Harvard, Yale or Stanford can not provide and it's FREE! 

They should be willing to do a market analysis for you, that will educate you on the market.

Turbotax isn't going to educate you so unless you'd like to educate yourself and potentially make some costly pitfalls, then I'd outsource.

Common syndicator game of throwing out huge returns when other funds are going under because they want you to only look at that shiny number and not what their past performance has been@Chris Seveney 25.7% Annualized Return / 21.7% IRR.This was my first passive investment and yes I was under educated, naive and attracted by the expressed returns. 

That’s not me.As far as your "un-educated" excuse, I've met some well-educated types I don't dare turn my back on, so think again about how you're perceived.I’m WELL educated and know EXACTLY how I’m perceived.

I wouldn't be adverse to getting licensed, since I am sure the education would be worthwhile, but I have a question regarding brokers.  

But it would be good if you understand how this is done just for your education etc.  

You'll save thousands (maybe tens of thousands) and a lot of stress if you educate yourself in advance.