Financial Planning

[hikermtnbiker.livejournal.com]

Hi All,

I am looking for recommendations for financial planning services. Help with investment management, retirement planning, taxes, etc. An independent might be preferred but in the end knowledge and effectiveness are most important. I don't really like dealing with this stuff so someone who is good at educating would be a plus.

Thanks.

Comments

[prunesnprisms.livejournal.com]

I have had luck with John Costello who has an office on Highland near Somerville hospital. He does our taxes and helped us save a lot of money this year over last. He's also an insurance agent and can offer advice on this as well.

[secretlyironic.livejournal.com]

The nuts and bolts stuff (allocation, calculations, investing) is only half the issue for money. The other half is emotional - risk tolerance, goals, what you want to do with the money. I recommend Dana Levit of Paragon Fee-Only in Newton. http://www.paragonfeeonly.com/ -- she's got a great handle on both sides of that coin and is wonderful. Before my wife and I got married we met with her for an hour or so and she really helped us align our goals and priorities in a way that made merging our finances a lot easier.

And because she's a "fee-only" advisor, she's not getting any money from selling you stuff. You are paying her directly, so you know she works for you.

[barry-rafkind.livejournal.com]

I'd recommend NAPFA-Registered Fee-Only Advisor and Certified Financial Planner Susan Moore. My wife and I met with her a year ago just to review our finances, plans for retirement, and buying a home. We found her to be very friendly, professional, and knowledgeable. Look her up at MooreAdvisors.com or call her at 617-393-9999 and feel free to mention my name.

[panda681.livejournal.com]

I recommend Lisa Peterson at Lantern Financial. She did a financial plan including investments, budgeting, retirement, for my husband and I when we first got married. She specializes in finances of 20 and 30 somethings, especially as it relates to couples. She is also fee only so you don't have to worry about her selling you some financial products you don't need, or if you don't have a whole lot of money to invest. She did a great job at helping us be diversified in our investments, even though we didn't have much to spend.

http://www.lantern-financial.com/

[davelew.livejournal.com]

It depends on exactly what you're trying to do with your finances. My family uses Braver Wealth Management in Newton, and we love them, but they have a big minimum amount they'd like you to have invested (although this minimum applies to families, not to individuals), otherwise they don't think their fees will be worthwhile to you.

[somerfriend.livejournal.com]

Just make sure they are a fee only planner. If they mention annuities, run, don't walk, away.

Rich Erickson

[misterthorn.livejournal.com]

http://www.mitfcu.org/home/member/frslearnmore
rich.erickson@cunamutual.com, 617-324-3832

Other than not being able to beat having a financial advisor named RICH, I can recommend this guy for all sorts of reasons. He was super helpful to me, gave lots of gratis time and assistance in our first meeting. There are some parts of my financial profile that I'm not super proud of, but he was professional and serious about them, and just an all-around great guy. Although he is attached to the MIT FCU, he told me that his clients do not need to be MIT community members. I don't completely understand the nature of the relationship between him and MIT, though, so it probably wouldn't hurt to check in with him about this when/if you call or email.