Blog

The Impact of Increasing Medical Costs

It’s no surprise that increasing health care costs are impacting households nationwide. From recent college graduates starting their careers to retirees depending on Social Security, everyone is faced with the rising costs of...

Our Viewpoint: What Should I Do Now?

The current financial headlines say it all.  The first 6 months of 2022 were the worst to the start of a calendar year for the S&P 500 since 1970!  Yes, interest rates and inflation are higher than a year ago.  The...

Pause on Federal Student Loan Repayments Extended Again

You probably have heard by now that the pause on repayments for federal student loans has been extended yet again until the end of August.  The previous extension was set to expire May 1st.  The government has given you a...

The Long Run: Women and Retirement

How Likely is Long-Term Care Needed?

You may be wondering… How likely is it that I will experience a long-term care event? A recent study from the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College found that 38% of 65-year-olds will develop moderate needs.

Personal Experiences: Paying for College

Odyssey's team member, Janeen Blecker, shares her personal experience of paying for college. Are you feeling overwhelmed? Or just want to get a head start on the planning? If so, then this blog is for you!

Our Viewpoint: There Is Hope

The year 2021 was to be a year of ‘promise’ with Covid vaccines rolling out along with the reopening of the U.S. services and tourism economies allowing more people to get back to work. In many ways, it was a year of...

How Women Can Prepare for Retirement

When our parents retired, living to 75 amounted to a nice long life, and Social Security was often supplemented by a pension. The Social Security Administration (SSA) estimates that today’s average 65-year-old woman will live to...

How to Conquer the World: 5 Financial Strategies for Savvy Single Women

If you’re a woman making all the financial decisions for your household, you’re in the majority. Sixty-nine percent of American women are living without a spouse or partner. Whether you’re just starting out, have a...

Increases to Social Security Benefits

On October 13th, 2021, the Social Security Administration announced a significant rise in monthly benefits for Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients. This 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the largest...

Our Viewpoint: Rising Inflation and Your Portfolio

Our Viewpoint: Rising Inflation and Your Portfolio Inflation is rising, leading to questions around portfolio positioning. Past bouts of inflation were not necessarily bad for stocks and bonds. Hedging inflation can be challenging....

Tax Planning for Life Events

Discussions in the media and in Washington abound pertaining to changes in the tax code and its effect on investments. But, tax planning isn’t just for your investments. Life happens. Often, we cannot predict its next moves. But...

Savvy Women Invest on Purpose

For many women, being financially secure is an important goal, whether you’re married, single, working or staying home with the children. This financial independence can give you a certain level of empowerment and confidence...

Student Loan Repayment Freeze Extended to January 31

President Biden is extending the student loan repayment freeze until January 31, 2022. The freeze was scheduled to end September 30, 2021 until this afternoon's announcement. Starting February 1st, over 43 million accounts will resume...

Swing in Small Value Stocks Shows Benefit of Staying the Course

Value stocks, or those with low relative prices, have outperformed higher-priced growth stocks in the US over the long term. Similarly, the stocks of smaller companies have fared better than the stocks of bigger ones in the US. But the...

Steve Siders Named Rotarian of the Year

Please join us in congratulating Steve Siders, who was recently named Rotarian of the Year for his service and dedication to the Rotary Club of North Fulton. Steve has been a member of the club since 2007 and has held many positions,...

What Do Recent Market Returns Tell Us?

Stock market declines over a few days or months may lead investors to anticipate a down year, but the facts prove this is not the case the majority of the time. The graphic represents market returns as measured by the Russell 3000...

Bulls, Bears, and Long-Term Benefits of Investing

Stock returns are volatile, but nearly a century of bull and bear markets shows that the good times have outshined the bad times. • From 1926 through 2020, the S&P 500 Index experienced 17 bear markets, or a fall of at least 20%...

What is all this talk about Inflation?

Inflationary pressures are building, and fears of sudden inflation have caused some investors to sell their growth stocks. How does this impact you and should it be a concern? Inflation erodes purchasing power over time. It makes money...

Part 3: Trading in Cryptocurrency

Due to a significant increase in client demand for educational material regarding cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin we wanted to address that need by acknowledging use of content that is solely educational in nature and not considered a...

Part 2: Spending Cryptocurrency

Due to a significant increase in client demand for educational material regarding cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin we wanted to address that need by acknowledging use of content that is solely educational in nature and not considered a...

Part 1: Cryptocurrency, What’s It All About?

Due to a significant increase in client demand for educational material regarding cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin, we wanted to address that need by acknowledging use of content that is solely educational in nature and not considered a...

Our Viewpoint: What a Difference a Year Makes!

In March of 2020 our world changed. We stopped doing many things (eating out, going to the gym, shaking hands, and even hugging). We started doing different things (social distancing, using hand sanitizer, hoarding toilet paper,...

FOMO is not an Investment Strategy

Have you ever been to a cocktail party when someone brings up their latest stock winner and then several others chime in? (Do you remember cocktail parties?) Take for example the recent “Reddit trades” and TikTok day...

Financial Fundamentals

Focusing on the fundamentals and establishing good habits are the keys to improving your financial outcomes. Understanding basic financial concepts can go a long way toward improving financial literacy and now is the perfect time to...

You Have Money, Now What?

If you’ve saved a decent amount of money over the years, or recently found yourself with a windfall of cash, you may want to invest the money in the stock market. Where do you go from here? To start, removing emotion from your...

Oops – They Did It Again

Fact: Fund managers have lagged the S&P 500 index in 12 of the last 13 years. Despite this fact investors (professionals and individuals) continue to think they can do better by picking stocks and timing the markets in normal times,...

Cryptocurrency: What's It All About?

It’s hard to scan the financial headlines these days and not spot at least one call to action related to Bitcoin’s latest moves. Has all the attention given you cryptocurrency fever, or are you at least wondering what...

Bye Bye Skinny Jeans?

I am a Facebook mom and a member of many, many mom pages. We share recipes, advice on raising teens, inspiration to get through a rough week, the best plumber in town- you name it we share it. Imagine our outrage when we moms found out...

Let's Talk 529s

Is funding your child’s education cost a personal goal that you plan to achieve? Are there alternatives to putting money away in a low-interest savings account or stuffing money under a mattress? Absolutely! A 529 plan is one of...

Will You Accept This Rose?

It’s February, I’m in love. Honestly, as Covid-19 quarantine lingers on like an uninvited party guest that won’t leave, I am leaning into all things love – red and pink hearts, rom-coms on repeat, dating shows...

Think Long-Term When Investing

Are you looking for additional ways to fund your retirement and/or college for your children? If you had $1,000 to invest right now, would you be confused about where to start? If you answered “yes” to either of those...

Investing Is Not A Game

Since we are long term investors, we don’t often feel the need to send communications about short-term market movements - up or down. But the events in the stock market last week were new and unusual, so we want to share our...

Our Viewpoint: 2020 – Thank Goodness, It’s Over!

We hope you and your family had a safe and joyful holiday season wrapping up what was a difficult year, and we wish you a Happy 2021! We appreciate your partnership with Odyssey, and we look forward to continuing to provide peace and...

Odyssey's 16th Annual Holiday Outreach

The generosity of Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors and their caring clients has helped provide some needed joy for families right here in North Fulton. North Fulton Community Charities was selected as the charity to be supported by...

Stop Should-ing Yourself

I often say that the topic of money can easily become an emotional third rail, because the mere mention of money can elicit a variety of emotions - confusion, shame, euphoria, even indifference. Sometimes, we let this tornado of...

Who Enjoys Holiday Shopping?

Better yet, who enjoys saving money while doing it? As the holidays approach, most of us do what we can to be smart shoppers and save money. Here is a one way to do just that – by searching for coupon codes online. If...

Presidential Election Reflection

“Over decades, it’s American innovation that succeeds, no matter what politicians do.” — David Booth, November 6, 2020 With the U.S. presidential election called, and promising news of a COVID-19 vaccine...

ODYSSEY NEWSLETTER: Q3 2020

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is hot off the press! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: NS 10/16/2020

Two Goals Diverge, but You Can Accomplish Both

As a good steward of your money, you understand the importance of paying off credit card debt, but you also know you need to save aggressively for retirement. However, determining which should be your first priority can be perplexing....

Does Blue or Red Make the Market Green?

The anticipation building up to the presidential election November 3rd is bringing with it questions about how financial markets will respond. But the outcome of an election is only one of many inputs to the market. Dimensional Fund...

Election 2020: Don’t Vote with Your Portfolio

The 2020 election is less than 40 days away, but politics has no place in your portfolio. Check out the latest commentary from Cetera Investment Management discusses the upcoming election and possible implications: https://bit.ly/3bIWtk2

There's No Loan for Retirement

Whether you haven't started saving for retirement—or simply haven’t saved enough—don’t get discouraged! The adage is true: it’s never too late to begin saving or to save more. Even if you can only put a...

What's Driving the Market - Emotions or Valuations?

We’ve been asked questions around this topic as of late… The markets seem to have had a nice recovery after the collapse in Q1, but it doesn’t quite seem to match the state of our economy and/or the status of...

How Much is Enough?

How much money will you need to retire? Simply put, it costs more to live longer. However, most people underestimate how long they may live. If you base your retirement plan on assumptions that are too conservative, you run the very...

Can You Say Unpredictable?

We are halfway through 2020, which is shaping up to be anything but predictable. As American businesses began to reopen, the U.S. stock market experienced a wild ride. The S&P 500 index nearly erased its -19.60% first quarter loss,...

Our Viewpoint - We are living through history!

Throughout this spring and summer, we have commented that we feel badly for “seniors” – seniors in high school, college and, of course, in age. For example, Robert’s daughter Megan is one of many high school...

ODYSSEY NEWSLETTER: Q2 2020

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is hot off the press! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: KM 7/14/2020

Getting Real with Your Retirement Planning: Understanding Sequence Risk

Clearly, there is a lot to think about when planning for retirement. While we have a degree of control over many of the choices involved, there’s one big wild card called sequence risk. Sequence risk is the risk that you’ll...

Eight “Best/Worst” Wealth Strategies During the Coronavirus

For better or worse, many of us have had more time than usual to engage in new or different pursuits in 2020. Even if you’re as busy as ever, you may well be revisiting routines you have long taken for granted. Let’s cover...

Life Advice During Uncertainty

It's the time of year where the great thinkers of our time offer their thoughts and advice to recent graduates. It's rare when this advice on life marries with our own investment philosophy. So it makes sense that David Booth, Below...

Could You Pay to Upload?

A mandatory shelter-in-place order + new baby = I’ve been watching a lot of TV. Since I found the end of Netflix, I’ve switched my viewing to Prime Video’s original programming and found “Upload”. The show...

Credit! Uh huh, Yeah.  What is It Good For?  Absolutely Everything!

What exactly is consumer credit? Consumer credit (aka consumer debt) allows you to purchase something today that you don’t pay for until later. There are 2 types of credit: installment and revolving. Installment Credit Revolving...

Get Organized with Everplans

Be a Hero to Your Family Have you ever thought about how hard it might be for your loved ones to gather let alone process through all your important personal information if something ever happened to you? Getting organized in advance...

CARES Act: Let's Talk Loans

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we have to stay positive and optimistic about the future outcome. One way we can help ourselves is by staying well-informed and taking advantage of things we are able to control. With the passing of the...

Our Viewpoint: The Virus Crisis, Economy and Stock Market Rebound

Our Viewpoint: The Virus Crisis, Economy and Stock Market Rebound Vince Lombardi once said, “It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up.” There are many situations throughout our lives when we get...

Information Overload

Information Overload A lot of financial jargon and acronyms have been tossed around these last few months as a result of tax law changes prior to, and in reaction to, COVID-19. So much has changed, it’s hard to keep up with. And...

What's Coming Next

We are going through an extraordinary time in our lives. The cards we’ve been dealt weren’t by our choosing, but there is a strong sense of purpose as we come together to help each other overcome these circumstances the...

Odyssey's Latest Update (COVID-19)

As we navigate this difficult time together, your health and safety are most important to us. We encourage you to take appropriate steps to be safe, help one another, and ask for help if you need it. There’s no denying it, the...

Odyssey Update (COVID-19)

Your well-being is of foremost importance, and our team hopes you and your family are taking all necessary precautions to remain safe. The outbreak of COVID-19 is rapidly changing, creating a significant challenge for U.S. public...

Odyssey: Our Preparedness (COVID-19)

The escalating news of the last 24 hours regarding coronavirus and the actions our leaders and society are taking to mitigate the spread of the virus is concerning to all of us. The various announcements are unprecedented for a health...

Market Update

Today is March 9 (as of this writing), which happens to be the eleventh anniversary of the global panic that resulted from the “Financial Crisis” marked by the bottom of the bear market on March 9, 2009. Isn’t it...

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

We didn’t know what would cause it, but we said it would happen eventually. The possible reasons were many, the trade war, North Korea, Middle East tensions, the President’s tweets, the Democratic primary, impeachment, the...

When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan

Planning is core to my DNA. I plan my social calendar weeks in advance. I pay my bills 2 days before the due date. It’s not even the end of February, and I’m already planning my 4th of July party. On date night with my...

Retirement Savings Waterfall

Saving for retirement doesn’t need to feel like you’re going over Niagara Falls in a barrel. Start small, like your emergency fund, and then move down the waterfall one bucket at a time. 1. Emergency fund: Keep enough cash...

Guiding Goals

Our partner at Dimensional, Caroline Gaynor, helps visually impaired athletes complete triathlons. Watch her story here. Caroline's experience guiding athletes has reinforced for her the value of creating a plan, maintaining...

Introducing Our New Team Member

As we mentioned in our January 2020 newsletter, Odyssey is growing! We are very pleased to announce Roman Shlyakhetko (pronounced Shla-hetko) has joined our team. He is working full time and supporting Robert, Steve, and Anne in...

ODYSSEY NEWSLETTER: Q4 2019

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: NS 1/14/2020

Making A Difference - Blessings in a Backpack

Odyssey’s 15th Annual Holiday Outreach in support of Blessings in a Backpack North Atlanta Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors organized their 15th Annual Holiday Outreach, and in partnership with their generous clients, they...

Odyssey is Hiring!

Odyssey is hiring! Please take a look at the job description for our recently posted opening. The position is for a Financial Planning Associate - someone at the beginning of their financial advice career path. If interested, please...

Year-end Planning Tips

AS SEEN IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB As we approach year end, it’s a good time to take inventory of your finances and plan for next year. Although we can’t predict or control what the economy or stock market is...

Odyssey Newsletter: Q3 2019

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: KM 10/15/19

Getting Financially Fit in Your 30s

Staying physically fit is not always easy, but there are a lot of resources that you can turn to in order to get started. There are fitness magazines, apps to track how many calories you are burning and, of course, your doctor is there...

For FAFSA, Apply Sooner Than You Think

AS SEEN IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB The good news for parents and their college-bound kids: The U.S. Department of Education’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) makes it relatively easy to apply...

Money Management Lingo

Financial advisors help you manage your money. Ultimately, it’s that simple. But like any other profession, we sometimes have a funny way of saying it. Understanding some of the “shoptalk” we use can help you manage...

Do You Want to be Average?

AS SEEN IN THE AUGUST ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB How good is it to be average? Well, it depends. A batting average of .300 in the major leagues is good, but saving the employee average percentage into your employer’s 401k plan? Not...

Old 401ks – The Ghosts of Boyfriends Past

I love romcoms. Give me a movie that has a meet-cute and wedding, and I’m in. So, when “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” recently aired, I said alright, alright, alright to spending two hours with Matthew McConaughey...

Beware of Headlines

“Citigroup Says S&P 500 Heading for a ‘Full Scale Bear Market.’” That was the headline of a Bloomberg news article on June 10, 2019. Yahoo Finance reported it as well with an attention-grabbing link to the...

ODYSSEY NEWSLETTER: Q2 2019

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: KM 7/11/19

Old 401ks – The Ghosts of Boyfriends Past

I love romcoms. Give me a movie that has a meet-cute and wedding, and I’m in. So, when “The Ghosts of Girlfriends Past” recently aired, I said alright, alright, alright to spending two hours with Matthew McConaughey...

A Well Styled Portfolio

I love fashion. I dream about Dior gowns, Chanel suits, and anything McQueen. Recently, I started a trial subscription for Rent the Runway and can’t stop drooling over all the designer threads. As I was putting away my latest...

Guest Post: Top 5 Financial Scams Targeting Older Adults

At Odyssey, we serve not only our clients, but also their children, aging parents, and relatives. We help manage their finances and safeguard their assets, too. As today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, we asked one of our trusted...

Vacation, All I Ever Wanted

AS SEEN IN THE JUNE ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB Summer is here, which means most of you are go-going away on vacation. Whether you’re hopping in the car heading to the Happiest Place on Earth or flying across the pond to your dream...

The Parent Plan

During a recent visit with my in-laws, we brought up the topic of what would happen if either of them were incapacitated or passed away. Have they thought about how they would deal with that circumstance? Although an uncomfortable...

Einstein's 8th Wonder of the World

Great Pyramids of Giza, shmiza; Colossus of Rhodes, shmodes. Einstein wasn’t thinking of the ancient world for the 8th wonder of the world. No, the genius said “compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world. He who...

Digital Assets After Death

Paying bills, accessing credit card points or airline miles, or simply logging into someone’s email account… what happens to all this digital data and the value of this information upon death? Almost all states – GA...

A Tough Pill to Swallow

AS SEEN IN THE MAY EDITION OF THE CURRENT HUB The biggest risk to a carefully planned retirement is healthcare expenses. For an average 65-year old couple, retiring in 2019, healthcare expenses are anticipated to cost $285,000 in...

Our Viewpoint - Potential Recession

“The sky is falling, the sky is falling!”… at least that’s what Chicken Little announced in the 2005 Disney animated movie (not exactly their best work, in our opinion). Have you heard it on the news or read it...

Playing with F.I.R.E.

A popular daydream of the cubicle dweller is freeing themselves of the daily grind by retiring early. A life where there’s no alarm clock and every day is a Saturday sounds divine, right? But is retiring at 45 or 35 fathomable,...

Odyssey Newsletter: Q1 2019

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version with this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Fool Me Once...Retirement Myths

AS SEEN IN THE APRIL EDITION OF THE CURRENT HUB Planning for retirement can be confusing, especially when so much conflicting information abounds about life in retirement. Here are some myths that commonly masquerade as facts. My kids...

ODYSSEY PERSONAL FINANCIAL ADVISORS SECURES GRANT FOR STANDUP FOR KIDS

Roswell, Ga. – March 13, 2019 – StandUp for Kids Atlanta was the recipient of one of five grants awarded by the Invest in Others Charitable Foundation in February. Grants were available to organizations with active...

The 800 Pound Gorilla

If your student loans feel like an 800-pound gorilla on your back, you’re not alone. Over 44 million Americans feel the crushing weight of a staggering $1.5 trillion in student debt. Whether you have a little or a lot of student...

A Divorce? Now What?

AS SEEN IN THE MARCH ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB A divorce may be the most stressful and hardest experience of your life. Any life event that disrupts your personal and financial well-being will cause hardship and concern. You may be...

The Balancing Act: How to Save for Your Retirement and Your Child's College

Adulting is hard enough as it is, but when it comes to prioritizing your retirement savings or your child’s college fund, you may feel like you’re between a rock and a hard place. First thing’s first: like making sure...

Lessons Learned

AS SEEN IN THE FEBRUARY ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB We all experience different feelings when things don’t go as planned. It’s human to want to avoid pain and fear. When it comes to investing, we all struggle with the fear of...

Don’t Let a Temporary Loss of Income Shut You Down

We’re now in the longest government shutdown in history, and the effects of the shutdown are hitting close to home. A friend of mine is an essential federal employee who lives here in Georgia. She already missed one paycheck, and...

Urban Myths of Personal Finances

It doesn’t matter how old you are, how smart you are, how rich you are. Everyone, and I mean everyone, believes at one point in time in these money myths. These myths have amazing staying power. Help me help you debunk these, ok?...

Odyssey Newsletter: January 2019

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version here. Please reach out to us if you have any questions. Reviewed & Approved: VN 1/11/19

What is on Your List of 2019 Goals?

AS SEEN IN THE JANUARY ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB Hello 2019! It’s a new year, which means new opportunities abound. Are you laser focused on new goals? What are the chances getting prepared for retirement is on your list? If so,...

Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

From the Odyssey family to yours, may the spirit of Christmas bring you and your family hope, happiness, and love. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Outreach 2018: Meals on Wheels, Senior Services North Fulton

Odyssey’s 14th Annual Holiday Outreach in support of Meals on Wheels, Senior Services North Fulton Making a Difference Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors organized their 14th Annual Holiday Outreach, and in partnership with...

A Financial Checklist for the Holidays

AS SEEN IN THE DECEMBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB The year is quickly coming to a close, and if you’re like us, you are in the holiday planning mood: making your list and checking it twice; gonna find out who’s naughty and...

Odyssey Newsletter: October 2018

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version with this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions.

Chicken Little or Rose-Colored Glasses

AS SEEN IN THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB August 21st marked the longest-running S&P 500 rally, followed in mid-September, by the ten-year anniversary of the 2008 financial crisis. Tariffs and trade war threats remain wild cards...

Unmasking Child Identity Theft

AS SEEN IN THE OCTOBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB With Halloween approaching many of our children are busy planning their costumes. The fun of changing your identity for one day a year is something we’ve all experienced. For...

Winners of Odyssey's Favorite Teachers Contest

On October 3rd, Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors announced the winners of Odyssey's Favorite Teacher's Contest. Check out our facebook post! A BIG congratulations goes to... 1st Place: Kathleen Petka, George Walton Comprehensive...

Do Mutual Funds Outperform Benchmarks?

An analysis of US-based mutual funds shows that only a small percentage of funds have outperformed industry benchmarks after costs—and among top-ranked funds based on past results, only a small percentage have repeated their...

Teachers are the Best

AS SEEN IN THE SEPTEMBER ISSUE OF THE CURRENT HUB If you read our August column, “When a Teacher Lights a Spark”, you read the first-hand account of Robert’s experience as a parent – hoping his son would develop...

When a Teacher Lights a Spark

As seen in the August issue of The Current Hub My love of personal finance runs deep. It was something I hoped to pass down to my children (along with my unwavering allegiance to the New York Mets). While my son does indeed love...

Odyssey's Favorite Teacher Contest!

Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors is excited to announce Odyssey’s Favorite Teacher Contest! We are reaching out to members of our local community asking you to nominate teachers you think are awesome! Why? Because these unsung...

Odyssey Newsletter: July 2018

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Surprises - A great reason to work with Odyssey

Making the most of surprises is a great reason to work with us.

The Silver Lining for Required Minimum Distributions

Are you a retiree either approaching or in the thick of required minimum distributions (RMDs)? Do you have a parent who is age 70 1/2 or older? If you are or you do, keep reading… For retirees with qualified retirement accounts,...

Oh the Places You’ll Go

This month, we will explore the different types of communities retirees are considering moving to, from assisted living to continuing care retirement communities, and the financial implications associated with each option. Retirement...

And Baby Makes 3

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in the March 2018 Edition of Odyssey NexGen Newsletter. Curious about Odyssey's NexGen program? Email Anne.Simpson@odysseypfa.com to learn more. If you're in your 20s, you will, at some...

The Aging in Place Decision

We recently had a discussion with clients who were contemplating where and how they would live out their remaining years. The conversation turned to the concept of “aging in place”, which means at their home, but we also...

Odyssey Newsletter: April 2018

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

The Taxman Cometh

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in the March 2018 Edition of Odyssey NexGen Newsletter. Curious about Odyssey's NexGen program? Email Anne.Simpson@odysseypfa.com to learn more. A new year often brings about new...

Who Can You Trust?

Trying to select a financial advisor is complicated. The sheer number of choices and titles are bewildering and complex, and the quality of the advice you receive can literally make or break your family’s fortune. Who can you...

Timing Isn't Everything

The first few months of 2018 have certainly started off with a bank. After a year of placid markets, we've seen volatility come back. In the 9-year bull market run for the S&P 500, the index has experienced 5 separate "corrections" of...

What to Know About Rising Interest Rates

Interest Rates are climbing across the board. What does this mean to you? How will it cost you, or more positively stated, how can you benefit? Since interest rates impact your finances in many ways throughout your life it’s...

Jump-Start Your New Year – Part 2

This month we complete our 10 financial best practices to jump-start the new year with tips #6 -10 to help energize your personal wealth management efforts. You can see tips #1-5 online at www.thecurrenthub.com/jumpstart. Let’s...

Odyssey Newsletter: January 2018

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

From Jingle Bells to Wedding Bells

The holidays are upon us, which means popping the champagne cork… and the question. Nearly one-third of all engagements happen between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day. If your Santa baby bought you that diamond ring,...

Jump-Start Your New Year

Meaningful Conversations about Money Jump-Start Your New Year By Robert Fezza and Steve Siders Happy New Year! Now that 2017 is a wrap, one of the best presents you can bestow on yourself and your loved ones is the gift of financial...

A Financial Year in Review

With a new year approaching, now is a great time to review your 2017 financial life. Let’s start with the basics - your personal financial statements (check out the financial term of the day!). Take some time to create your...

Holiday Outreach 2017: Stand Up for Kids

Odyssey’s 13th Annual Holiday Outreach: Our 2017 beneficiary was Stand Up for Kids, a national non-profit based in Atlanta. Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors, in partnership with their generous clients, provided gift cards and...

Getting Your Government Cheese

When your parents retired, they probably didn't think too much about Social Security. They just went to their local office as soon as they turned 65, or maybe 62 if they retired early, and applied for benefits. They probably took their...

How to Keep Your Finances Off the Naughty List This Holiday Season

We’re not huge fans of seeing stores selling Christmas decorations in July, but maybe they are on to something. Have you planned how much you will spend over the holidays and (more importantly) will you stick to that budget?...

Odyssey Newsletter: October 2017

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Betrayed? Yes. Time for Action? Absolutely

We assume you have heard about the Equifax security breach announced on September 8, but the question is - have you taken action to protect yourself? You need to assume your information is public, and quite possibly in the hands of bad...

Decoding Open Enrollment

What do football, pumpkin spiced lattes, and Labor Day have in common? Yes, fall, but also Open Enrollment. If your employer provides benefits, such as health insurance and 401k plans, your upcoming open enrollment period allows you to...

How Budgeting Got Its Groove Back

In the past, when you created a budget, you mapped it out on an excel spreadsheet, tried to live within your budget, had trouble sticking to it, and the promptly shoved that budget in a drawer. Never. To. Be. Seen. Again. I'm here to...

Unexpected Medical Bill?

Americans are paying more for their medical bills than ever before as health care costs continue to rise by large percentages. You’ve probably experienced this yourself! With these cost increases, it is easy to wind up with...

Rules of the Road: Lease or Buy

Recently, we've had a lot of car talk around the office - mostly about buying or leasing a car. Whether you want a new car or a new-to-you car, here are some scenarios when leasing or buying makes sense. Leasing makes sense if... You...

Starting (Really) Early

The saying, “it’s never too early to begin saving for retirement,” holds true at any age, even for kids in high school. In fact, if your teen has a summer or part-time job, now is a great time to talk to them about...

Odyssey Newsletter: July 2017

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Who Wants a Vacation Home?

It’s peak season for vacationing, and many of you already have or will be heading to the beach or mountains this summer. It’s what we do when it’s hot in HOTlanta. But here’s the question: Are any of you...

How to Combat ID Theft and Fraud

My mom received a call a few months ago saying she had to update the version of Microsoft Windows she was using; that security risks with the current version could be fixed if she simply provided her credit card number. Thank God she...

Finding Certainty in an Uncertain World

“…In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” – Benjamin Franklin Franklin’s words ring true, especially now in the current state of rising geopolitical uncertainty: Brexit,...

Odyssey Newsletter: April 2017

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

It’s Not You; It’s Me…Signed, Big Brokerage

Dear Investor, Your financial adviser can no longer provide you with investment guidance...We will be moving your account to a self-directed platform…We can no longer hold the products we recommended to you in your IRA…...

Making Your Tax Return Great Again!

Once tax season is here, it may be too late to implement some very helpful tax saving strategies. At Odyssey, we keep our client’s “pay-triotic duty” top of mind by engaging in tax-wise investing and financial advice...

Making Your Portfolio Great Again!

It’s February now, and President Trump has officially been sworn into office. Executive orders have already been signed and Congress is moving swiftly to make changes to current laws. So we understand that you may be asking - how...

Odyssey Newsletter: January 2017

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

How Much Can You Save?

Happy New Year! And with it come the New Year’s resolutions. What is on your list? Do you want to potentially save some big bucks this year? Here’s how. Get healthy! That’s right. By shedding a few excess pounds and...

Holiday Outreach 2016: Homestretch

Our 2016 beneficiary was Homestretch, based in Roswell, GA. Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors was pleased to provide supplies and donations to HomeStretch, a Roswell based charity that offers hope – helping local homeless...

Home for the Holidays

As a new year approaches, we’re prompted to think towards the future with resolutions of getting organized, doing better, exercising more, and worrying less. But why wait for the New Years’ countdown to act on these...

Year-End Planning: Now is the Time to Take Action

It feels like summer just ended, but Halloween came and went, and the Holidays are fast approaching. No wonder we feel we can’t find the time to take care of things we need to do. So, before you eat too much turkey and sweet...

Odyssey Newsletter: October 2016

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Are We Screwed?

It’s election season, which means the bumper sticker battles are in full swing. Usually, bumper stickers on cars highlight whom the driver supports. I say usually because while driving in Roswell recently, I saw one that was...

Financial Literacy – It’s Now or Never

If we told you that 59% of Georgians lack a rainy day fund that covers three months of expenses in case of job loss or sickness, would you believe us? Would you agree there may be a problem if 19% of GA households spent more than they...

7 Steps to a Better Investment Approach

Are you an investor? We sure hope so, as it is the BEST way to build wealth to fund your retirement goals. We also realize it’s not easy. It takes time, knowledge, patience, and a disciplined approach. Everyone CAN do it, but not...

Odyssey Newsletter: July 2016

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Life is Easier When Simplified!

It was the Chinese philosopher Confucius who said: “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.” Does life sometimes feel complicated or overwhelming? What was the root cause? Was it regarding your career...

Advantages of Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s)

Health Savings Accounts (HSA’s) are more common these days since the Affordable Care Act is causing health insurance premiums to increase substantially. When used in conjunction with high deductible health insurance plans they...

People Are Confused, Are You?

With a combined 35 years of experience providing personal financial advice, we know what people mean when they say they are confused. We have heard far too many stories about the experiences they have had trying to get it right. Life...

Odyssey Newsletter: April 2016

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

6 Things to do with Your Tax Refund

According to the IRS, 8 out of 10 people will get a tax refund this year with the average being about $2,800 per check. Maybe you’ve already received yours?!?! It is tempting to splurge and have fun with a refund but remember;...

Solutions for the Sandwich Generation

My father died almost four years ago, in April 2012. It came after several years of care giving, doctor’s visits, and ultimately a couple of weeks in the hospital and a few days in a nursing home. He was diagnosed with...

The Benefit of Long Term Investing

Yogi Berra may have said it best, “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” Did you see it coming? Many people didn’t. We’re talking about the not so Happy New Year stock market selloff -...

Odyssey Newsletter: January 2016

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

The New Year Offers New Opportunities

Ready or not, the New Year is here, so let’s make 2016 the best year yet! We wish you a very happy New Year and hope you enjoyed the many local festivities this past Holiday season. We look forward to continuing our meaningful...

Holiday Outreach 2015: Helping Their Furry Friends

Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors is pleased to provide supplies and donations to Senior Services North Fulton in support of their Meals on Wheels for Pets program. This is Odyssey's 11th Annual Holiday Outreach in support of local...

What Will You Do Differently in 2016?

One could say that if we are “wise” then increased knowledge leads to improved behavior… or does it??? When was the last time you decided – this is it! Based on what I know (knowledge) I’m going to make a...

Financial Freedom & Gratitude

Since Thanksgiving dinner will be on the table sooner than we realize, we thought it appropriate to address how your financial freedom is directly linked to the level of gratitude you have about life. This was spurred on by a reader...

Odyssey Newsletter: October 2015

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

What Do You Value Most?

Pop quiz. What does the number 168 represent? Any idea? This is how many hours there are in a week. Now think of another number - the amount of money you earn each week. Got it? Time and money. These are the primary (and limited)...

Only YOUR Goal Matters

We’ve all heard stories about the pro football player (pick any sport) who signs a huge contract worth millions of dollars - as a high draft pick, as a free agent, or to extend his contract. We’ve also heard many updates...

Ignore the Noise (If You Have a Plan)

Have you ever read a newspaper headline, a doomsday book, or heard a TV pundit spouting about the “crisis of the moment?” Were you fearful? Did you feel as though you should “do something” to react to the...

Odyssey Newsletter: July 2015

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

The Relative Cost of College

What is a college degree worth to you or your child? Asked another way; is the cost of college worth more or less than the expected income potential over your career? This is another topic that begs for a meaningful family conversation...

Making Better Financial Choices

What do you do when life takes an unexpected turn? Do you have a plan or do you react? We all live life with good intentions, but when we face a rough patch we sometimes make choices that start us down the wrong path, or maybe we never...

Making Financial Fees Transparent

As consumers we face a multitude of ways we can purchase products and services. Buying shampoo? Easy. What about your last car purchase? A little more complicated, right? You probably talked to some friends, took a test drive and of...

Values and the Formula for Success

When the topic of financial planning is discussed most people focus on money, with good reason of course, but the conversation doesn’t have to end with our financial capital. How much do I have? How do I spend it? How much should...

Investing Lessons from the Last 15 Years

Odyssey's latest white paper - Investing Lessons from the Last 15 Years - is now available! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions.

Life’s Ever Changing Needs

Centuries ago mathematicians figured out the shortest path between two points is a straight line. In life we often make plans that, in the beginning, may seem straightforward, but along the way encounter a multitude of ups and downs...

Are You Grateful or Do You Want More?

If you look around your circle of friends, neighbors, and co-workers, you may sometimes have a tendency to compare yourself to their circumstances and try to keep up. If you expand that circle to a broader population – maybe...

Odyssey Newsletter: January 2015

The latest Odyssey Newsletter is here! You can access the digital version at this link. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!

Save More Now and Retire Earlier

According to a 2014 Federal Reserve report, “many households are not adequately prepared for retirement”. The report states that 31% of non-retirees have no pension and haven’t saved a dime for retirement. Even...

Holiday Outreach 2014: Child Development Association

With support provided by their generous clients, Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors was able to provide supplies and donations to the Child Development Association for their 10th Annual Holiday Outreach. They asked their clients to...

An Early New Year’s Resolution

We are well aware of the “busy-ness” the next 4 weeks will bring, but if you could take the time to make just one small change before the end of the year – something that would benefit you long term - would you do it?...

Teenagers and Money; We Need To Do More

Last month we introduced our new column with a suggestion – that you sit down with the person(s) closest to you and have a meaningful conversation about your money, financial goals and passions. If you did, congratulations!...

Meaningful Conversations about Money

“Do you have a minute?” When you hear those words, especially from someone close to you, you know you’re in for more than just a discussion about what to have for dinner. Usually it means the person wants to talk...

Holiday Outreach 2013: Foster Care Support Foundation

Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors just completed their 9th Annual Holiday Outreach choosing to help Foster Care Support Foundation this year. They asked their clients to help change the lives of foster children this Holiday season...

Holiday Outreach 2012: Wellspring Living

We should all count our many blessings at Christmas time, and this year is no different. Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors announced their 8th Annual Holiday Outreach a few weeks ago asking their clients to help change the lives of a...

Holiday Outreach 2011: STAR House

2011 has been a year of ups and downs; in the stock market, the economy, and politics in Washington, D.C., but one thing remains constant – the clients and staff of Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors remain committed to making a...

Holiday Outreach 2010: Homestretch

Seven families from the Homestretch holiday program will have bigger smiles on their faces this Holiday season as a result of the generous donations of Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors and their caring clients. "We know there are...

Holiday Outreach 2009: NFCC

The Roswell Current (December 23 - January 6 2009/10) included an article about the generosity of the clients of Odyssey Personal Financial Advisors. The total dollars raised was over $2100 along with a trunk full of toys. We're...

Holiday Outreach 2008: The Drake House

We thank our clients once again for your amazing response in support of this year’s cause, The Drake House, located here in Roswell, GA. Similar to last year (see below) your outpouring of kindness and generosity is sure to last...

Holiday Outreach 2007: U.S. Military

The Roswell Beacon (January 10, 2008) included an article on the story of how our clients extended support to the men and women of our U.S. military. We received a thank you letter fromBen Fowler, 1Lt, USAF who inspired us to make it...