Working With Us

Financial planning is a multi-step process that provides you with two important things: (1) An in-depth review of your current financial situation, and (2) a blueprint that shows you how to achieve your goals and objectives for the future. At Fisher Financial Strategies, the financial planning process consists of seven distinct steps (see Building a Brighter Financial Future for details on our unique financial planning process). It is important to remember that financial planning is a process...not an event.

First we focus on your goals, objectives, priorities and values. We will spend a lot of time making sure that we understand the things that are most important to you. For instance: the reduction of current and future income taxes may be an immediate goal, funding a quality education for children and/or grandchildren may be an intermediate goal, and enjoying a secure financial future in your retirement years is likely to be one of your most important long-term goals. Another goal in life for some people is creating wealth and/or leaving a legacy for beneficiaries or charities. You may already be on the road to meeting these objectives and simply need a new strategy, professional insight, or fine-tuning for your plan. You may just be starting out. Or you may be somewhere in between. Whatever your unique situation may be, everyone needs a periodic assessment of where they are on the road to meeting their financial goals. That's why we do an in-depth review of your current financial situation. Next, you need to know how you can achieve your financial goals. By focusing on cash flow, investments, taxes, pensions and retirement plans, estate planning, insurance issues, savings opportunities and other general financial matters, we design a customized financial plan for you. Finally, to work toward the intended results, you must implement and monitor your plan.

It may seem like a lot of work at first, but the good news is, if you follow your plan and maintain a disciplined approach, you can rest well knowing you can reach your stated goals. At FFS, we try to make the process as easy as possible for you. In addition to giving you professional advice on your most important financial concerns, we can also provide implementation and asset review services, if these are appropriate for your needs.

Any individual seeking financial peace of mind can benefit from our services. We serve people at all income levels, from all walks of life. Clients have the flexibility to work with us on either a one-time, as-needed basis or an ongoing basis. We welcome clients who simply need a one-time financial consultation or a second opinion, as well as those who need integrated financial planning.

Because we are Fee-Only financial planners, all conflicts of interest regarding compensation are removed. We do not accept sales commissions; we work solely for our clients. Because we do not sell financial products such as investments and insurance, there are no third-party relationships or outside influences to color our thinking and financial recommendations.

In addition, our firm is a Registered Investment Adviser; as such, we must comply with a host of regulations designed to protect the consumer. One important question you should always ask when considering a financial planner's services is: "May I please have a copy of your ADV Part II?" This document contains important information about the planner's qualifications, fiduciary duties, history of any past violations, etc. A copy of our ADV Part II is available through the Contact page.

While we do not sell financial products, we will offer specific recommendations and opinions regarding the purchase of the various financial products that may be appropriate for you. So, if you need to obtain an insurance policy or a new mortgage, invest into a portfolio of mutual funds, or find an estate planning attorney or tax professional, we can direct you to the resources you need and/or help you obtain these products and services. If appropriate, we can also help you implement your plan and set up your accounts.

No. Although an integrated financial plan can provide the greatest benefits, we can limit our advisory services to your specific needs, such as cash management and budgeting, investment analysis or college education funding.

Yes. Some advisory firms have minimum income levels and/or net worth minimums but, at Fisher Financial Strategies, we realize that everyone has financial needs. We are proud to work with people from all income levels, and all walks of life.

Yes. People who need more sophisticated financial planning or advice will find our services appealing and beneficial. If you have a desire to simplify your financial affairs, we may be right for you (see Building a Brighter Financial Future ). If you are looking for a professional review or a second opinion to ensure you are on track, we can provide that, too.

We provide advice for all types of securities, including mutual funds, stocks (as they relate to your portfolio holdings), bonds, bank deposits, variable and fixed annuities. We also provide advice on mortgages, budgeting and cash flow issues, IRA, 401(k), 403(b) and other retirement programs, stock options, life and disability insurance, etc. If it has to do with money and finances, we can provide counseling, guidance, and resources for you. Because we want our clients to know that they can call on us with any and all of their financial concerns, we have developed the slogan "Financial Planning and Advice for Everyday Life." Clients are encouraged to call us when they have a major life event, such as a new job, a baby, a marriage or divorce, or if they are planning to buy a new home or start their own business. We also encourage our clients to call us with questions such as: "How should I invest within my 401(k) or 403(b) plan?", "How can I reduce my taxes?", "What advice can you offer on refinancing my home?", or "How can I maximize my Flex Spending Account, Cafeteria Plan, or Section 125 Plan at work?"

Absolutely not. We will offer recommendations which in our professional opinion will meet your needs and objectives, but you are under no obligation to purchase them. In today's competitive market, it makes sense to shop around for the best available product or service. For instance, if you need to obtain a life insurance or disability policy, we will suggest the kind of policy, which riders and what amounts may be best for you. We will then direct you to a choice of companies that can provide a quality product at competitive prices for you. If you wish, we can help you purchase investments and/or set up your accounts with a third-party custodian such as a discount broker.

The purpose of a client's investment portfolio is to fund current and/or future financial objectives. The design of the portfolio must take into account the client's financial objectives, tolerance for risk, needs for current income or liquidity, and special considerations such as income and estate taxes. The important thing to remember is that no one can predict the future. It is difference of opinion that makes a market. Investment and economic "experts" provided with the same information often come to different conclusions. We do not suggest that we or any of the money or mutual fund managers that we recommend will make the correct decision every time. We do believe, however, that studying the historic trends and relationships of investment classes and the philosophies and approaches of successful investment managers can provide valuable insight. The appropriate allocation of investment assets for your goals and risk tolerance is the most important component in developing an investment portfolio. We believe that having a diversified, well-balanced portfolio, following long-term buy-and-hold strategies, and having patience will increase the likelihood that one will achieve his or her long-term financial objectives.

Before we recommend any investment, we consider the current economic conditions, the outlook for that asset class or type of security and how this investment fits within your portfolio given your objectives and tolerance for risk. For equity investments, we focus primarily on the philosophies, experience and track record of the management team. With fixed income investments, we look for the best yield available for a given quality of security. We believe that it is essential to minimize investment costs, so we will often recommend index mutual funds where possible. As fiduciaries for our clients, we strive to obtain the most appropriate investment vehicles to meet your objectives, while being very conscious of total expenses and risk exposure.

The fees are based on the actual time involved in meeting with you in person or over the phone, researching and analyzing your current situation, and providing specific recommendations and implementation assistance (if appropriate).

Financial planning fees are determined on a project basis; the total fee for a financial plan will vary from client to client based on the specific needs and complexity of your situation. Financial planning engagements will typically range from $3000 to $6000, depending on the level and scope of services required. A fee estimate is provided after the "Get Acquainted" Meeting, once your personal needs have been fully identified.

The actual engagement of services may end, but many clients find it advantageous to schedule continuing review meetings with us. Because financial planning is a process, not an event, we offer ongoing services, periodic reviews and day-to-day consultation as needed.

The first step is an initial inquiry from you. Call us at (617) 444-8555 or email us using our contact form. We offer an initial no-obligation "Get Acquainted" Meeting, either on the phone or via Zoom meeting. Appointments are scheduled Monday through Friday. Should you decide to engage our services, we can discuss which of our services is appropriate for you. Most clients find the financial planning process to be stimulating and enlightening. The end result, of course, is greater peace of mind. We look forward to helping YOU build a brighter financial future!