Business Details
43 Years
experience
Your Trusted Fee-Only Financial Partner in Silver Spring, MD
Money Plans was founded in 1983 as an independent Registered Investment Advisor, pioneering the fee-only financial planning model to prioritize client interests above all else. Our firm operates under a fiduciary standard, legally obligated to act in our clients' best interests while delivering conflict-free advice. With decades of experience, we specialize in personalized financial planning, wealth management, and senior living strategies tailored to individual needs. Our team, led by principal advisor Denise Leish, combines advanced financial expertise with a commitment to transparency and ethical service. We serve clients through comprehensive planning, low-cost investment solutions, and ongoing portfolio management designed to build long-term financial security.Our independence from banks and brokerages ensures unbiased guidance, while our NAPFA membership reinforces our adherence to rigorous client care standards. We focus on simplifying complex financial decisions, addressing retirement concerns, and creating adaptable strategies for life's unexpected changes. Our fee structure aligns advisor and client goals, eliminating sales commissions and third-party incentives that could compromise objectivity. Through continuous education and industry-leading practices, we maintain our position as trusted partners in financial planning. Our legacy of integrity and client-first service continues to guide our approach to helping individuals achieve their financial objectives.
Services
Financial Planning
Wealth Management
Senior Living Planning
Investment Review
Retirement Planning
Details
- Year established: 1983
Highlights and features
- We are fee-only advisors with no commissions or conflicts of interest
- Our fiduciary commitment ensures your interests come first
- Founded in 1983, we offer decades of financial expertise
- Principal Denise Leish holds an MBA in finance and is NAPFA-certified
- We provide personalized plans tailored to your unique needs
Associations and certifications
- NAPFA
- Registered Investment Advisor
Services
Financial Planning
Our financial planning service creates customized strategies for growing families, pre-retirees, and retirees. We address cash flow, retirement goals, investment strategies, and estate planning while adapting to life's changes. Our approach combines comprehensive analysis with flexible solutions to help clients achieve both short-term needs and long-term objectives.
Wealth Management
We offer tailored wealth management for portfolios exceeding $300,000, including ongoing money management and tax-efficient strategies. Our approach emphasizes low-cost ETFs, bonds, and mutual funds while maintaining personalized portfolio customization. We provide account consolidation, income distribution management, and continuous portfolio monitoring to maintain alignment with client goals.
Senior Living Planning
This service addresses longevity concerns and senior housing decisions through detailed budgeting and care planning. We help clients evaluate downsizing options, incorporate long-term care costs, and develop sustainable financial strategies. Our planning considers Medicaid strategies, veteran benefits, and tax optimization to support extended retirement needs.
Investment Review
Designed for accounts under $300,000, this service provides one-time investment plan design using low-cost ETFs and mutual funds. We create implementable strategies for self-directed investors while offering recommendations for employer-sponsored retirement plans. The service focuses on establishing a diversified foundation for future growth.
Retirement Planning
Our retirement planning addresses Social Security optimization, pension decisions, and income replacement strategies. We help clients navigate required minimum distributions, tax withholding, and estate planning considerations. The service includes scenario analysis for different retirement ages and contingency planning for unexpected life events.
People
Denise Leish
Principal and Co-Founder
Denise Leish, co-founder and principal advisor, holds an MBA in finance and is a NAPFA-certified financial planner with decades of experience guiding clients toward secure financial futures.
Questions
What makes Money Plans different from other financial advisors?
We operate as a fee-only fiduciary with no sales commissions or product incentives, ensuring completely objective financial advice aligned with client interests.
Do you work with clients outside Silver Spring, MD?
While based in Silver Spring, we serve clients nationwide through virtual consultations and digital planning tools while maintaining personalized service.
How are your wealth management fees structured?
Our fees are directly paid by clients with no hidden commissions, structured transparently based on portfolio size and service requirements.
What retirement planning services do you offer?
We provide comprehensive retirement planning including Social Security optimization, pension analysis, required minimum distribution management, and longevity risk mitigation strategies.
Can you help with senior living cost planning?
Yes, we specialize in senior living budgeting, Medicaid planning, and long-term care cost analysis to help clients prepare for extended retirement needs.
Reviews (1)
Susan L.
Jan 02, 2014
Report
Run, do not walk to your next possible financial advisor. Choose someone who is a certified financial planner. Although Peg Downey was a partner in this firm, she has retired and Denise Leish is NOT certified. I consulted with her and experienced a bait and switch - she quoted an estimated fee for our consultation and charged me nearly double the amount without indicating that there would be an increase in the fee charged. I was and am unhappy with the service provided and would not recommend her at all.
