The Greg O'Donnell Financial Hour

01/18/2025

01/16/2025

Access my free guide to break down crucial Social Security decisions into a simple decision matrix

01/15/2025

One of the ways I’ve seen many retirees check all the boxes of success in retirement is through being a mentor.

There are many opportunities for mentorship at schools and businesses. You can decide on how much time you can spend. You can even do it remotely if travel is an issue for you. The truth is there is a need for those with the wisdom developed over decades to pass some of that on to the next generation. You will find plenty of options if you search for mentorship opportunities near you online.

You may even be surprised by the diversity of what is needed. From helping others your age and older learn technological skills to helping young kids with basic life skills. From coaching high school kids on how to properly prepare for a career to teaching a crafting skill to peers. You can be a mentor to a group or focus on individuals. Mentors are needed everywhere.

As a financial advisor, I like to work with individuals to ensure they are having a successful retirement. That requires clear goals and proper planning.

If you are unsure of your retirement plan, come see me and my team. We can help you work towards a successful retirement.

01/14/2025

Estate planning is a crucial step for retirees to ensure their assets are distributed according to their wishes and to provide clarity for their loved ones. Beyond the legal and financial aspects, it's essential to approach this process

01/09/2025

This 5-minute read breaks down over 2,700 Social Security claiming rules

01/01/2025

Every year millions of people set new year’s resolutions. However, very few are able to stick to their resolutions long term. A study done by the University of Scranton found that 23% of people quit their resolution after 1 week. Only 19% stick to their resolution for at least 2 years.

As your advisor, I want to help you succeed, not just financially, but with everything in life. So here are some tips to sticking to your resolutions.

Know Your “Why”.

Many people set a goal but their why is “just because”. If you don’t know why you are doing something, and that why is not a driving force, you are less likely to do it. An example of a resolution with a good why is: I want to lose weight and be in shape so that I can play with my kids/grandkids without being out of breath quickly. Your kids/grandkids are now motivating factors in your goal, and you are more likely to do it for them.

Setup Accountability.

In my experience, you are more likely to succeed at anything if someone, or something, is there to hold your feet to the fire. Partner with a family member or friend that can help nudge and push you to your goal.

Plan, Plan, Plan.

We can all agree that one of the biggest reasons for not reaching a goal is because we don’t plan how to get the goal. We want to lose weight, but don’t have a diet and exercise plan. We want to go on a big vacation, but don’t plan how to save up for it. Take the time to plan out the details of how to reach your goal.

I wish you all a Happy New Year and may we all be in the 19% to accomplish our resolutions.

12/25/2024

There are so many celebrations this time of year for so many cultures. One thing many of us have in common, though (aside from the holiday spirit) is we know the story of Rudolph is a holiday classic.

Ever wonder why the story opened on a sad note? It was written by Robert L. May, who was broke during the Great Depression while nursing his wife who had cancer and knowing he’d have to raise their only daughter alone.

You know the story of Rudolph is one of triumph, and for good reason. Robert had to overcome huge obstacles to find his way to being able to care for his daughter and bring us the classic we all love.

It’s an amazing story of a big heart that wants to give and looks tirelessly for ways to express it. In short, it’s about the holiday spirit. This season, no matter what your beliefs or traditions, it’s caring and welcoming each other in our unique gifts that matters. Here’s the link to learn more about Mr. May (and this is where I got the photo of him, below):

https://christmasclassics.com/christmasmusic/person-of-the-day-robert-lewis-may

12/17/2024

Life insurance can be a great piece of financial support for your family, but, in some cases, also for your immediate financial needs. Life insurance has been around for centuries, providing peace of mind and