Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can schedule a consulation with us to see if we are a good fit for you. We believe that it is important for you to work with someone who makes you feel comfortable. At the consultation you can get to know us and ask us all your questions. We will also ask you questions to make sure we can fit your needs. There is no commitment until you feel ready and confident.
Initially, we begin our working relationship with 1 – 3 financial exploration meetings to develop your financial plan, followed by 3 – 5 advanced financial planning meetings to implement your plan. For more complex financial situations, we will hold additional meetings as needed. Once these meetings are complete and your plan is implemented, we will meet as often as you need, at least annually, to review your progress.
Absolutely. We often partner with outside advisors such as CPAs and attorneys to ensure that every professional advisor you retain is fully informed of your goals and plans for the future.
We believe the portfolio as a whole is more important than an individual security. The appropriate allocation of capital among asset classes (stocks, bonds, cash, etc.) will have far more influence on long-term portfolio results than the selection of individual securities. Investing for the long term (preferably longer than ten years) becomes critical to investment success because it allows the long-term characteristics of the asset classes to surface.
We believe that it is virtually impossible to know ahead of time the next direction of the market as a whole or any individual security. It is unlikely that any portfolio will succeed in consistently “beating the market.” Instead, we strive for consistent long-term growth.
Although the terms fee-based and fee-only sound very similar, there are some important differences every investor should understand. Fee-only advisors do not receive any compensation based on product sales. Because fee-only financial advisors are compensated by their clients, they are able to provide fiduciary-level advice, acting only in the best interests of their client. Fee-based firms charge an investment management fee to their clients similar to the fee charged by fee-only firms. However, fee-based advisors also collect commissions based upon the products they sell in addition to the fees collected from their clients. Financial Strategies was one of the first fee-only Milwaukee financial planning firms. We do not collect commissions, referral fees or any other fees based upon the products we recommend.
This does not have an easy, one-size-fits-all answer. How much money you need to retire depends on your goals, values, and life style. Although you can find retirement calculators online telling you if you are ready, the best way to know if you are prepared is to talk to a financial planner to analyze your situation and create a retirement plan specific for you.
What financial challenge are you facing?
We understand that every person’s situation is different. If you have a financial concern that is not addressed, reach out to us with your question or issue and we will let you know how we can help!