Webinar: Smart Strategies for Navigating College Costs and Avoiding Costly Mistakes

The sources and options to finance college seem more confusing than ever. Please join us for an educational session designed to help parents, guardians, and students make informed decisions about funding higher education. We are hosting a free educational session to help our community understand the risks associated with federal and private loans, co-signing loans, and Parent PLUS programs. We’ll explore practical alternatives to borrowing and discuss how to balance educational goals with long-term financial stability.

3 Key Objectives:

1. Understanding the risks of student loans and co-signing, while considering their potential impact on retirement savings and financial health.

2. Exploring alternative funding strategies such as scholarships, work-study programs, and other creative solutions to reduce reliance on large student loans.

3. Learning how to set realistic goals for college costs to balance education with financial stability.

Date: Wednesday, April 30th, 2025
Time: 4:30PM PST

Zoom Details:
https://raymondjames.zoom.us/j/95287629014?pwd=Rw5l4pXrdjFMuK1WeNC4VNPSDy8tGU.1
Passcode:577292

Join via audio:
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
877 853 5247 US Toll Free
888 788 0099 US Toll Free
Webinar ID: 952 8762 9014
Passcode: 577292

About The Speakers:

John O’Dea:

John is a financial advisor at Summit Financial Group, LLC. His modeling and expertise help his clients understand the scenarios and options available to optimize their financial outcomes. This can include cash flow projections, investing, buying or selling companies, exit routes, 401k/retirement plans, buy sell agreements, and estate and tax planning.

John uses his expertise alongside industry leading tools and technology to provide his clients and their tax and legal advisors with the information they need – when they need it. As a result, John’s clients have greater clarity regarding relative financial and nonfinancial tradeoffs in multiple scenarios.

Jen Lee:

Jen Lee is a bankruptcy attorney (or as she likes to call it: a debt and credit strategy attorney) and is licensed in CA and ND. She is a leading expert on debt, credit, and financial stress, having been featured in Consumer Affairs, US News & World Report, and other national publications. Jen is the creator of several innovative programs to deal with financial stress and rebuilding after financial disaster.

Law was a second career for Jen, after working for ten years in insurance and underwriting. She opened her own law firm straight out of law school and realized that her undergraduate degree in business and an MBA made a huge difference in running a law firm as a business. She often speaks at bar associations, professional groups, and other trade associations both on substantive issues for bankruptcy and debt, and on law practice marketing and management.

Neither Raymond James Financial Services nor any Raymond James Financial Advisor renders advice on tax issues, these matters should be discussed with the appropriate professional.

Raymond James is not affiliated with and does not endorse the opinions or services of Jen Lee.

Retirement Planning Today

This course addresses financial issues that pertain to the self-employed as well as employees of corporations and government agencies. Whether you plan to retire 20 years from now or have just recently retired, the information you’ll learn in this class can deliver rewards throughout your lifetime.

Registration is now open for our two-session Retirement Planning Today workshop. Reserve your seats for the following locations:

Pleasanton Unified School District
5758 W Las Positas Blvd., Pleasanton, CA 94588
Tuesdays, March 25 & April 1, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, April 16 & 23, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Register Here!

Second Saturday Divorce Workshops

Are you considering divorce, or in the midst of a divorce? As you contemplate your next steps and possibly plan your next chapter, it is important to have the tools needed to evaluate the impact divorce can have on your personal and financial life. 

This workshop run by an attorney, a therapist, and a financial advisor will touch on the legal, emotional, and financial topics involved with divorce. Discussions will include issues and challenges that everyone considering or going through a divorce should understand. Come educate yourself and explore various options available to you as you work toward building a strategy for future emotional and financial success. 

Visit our Second Saturday website to register and learn more.

When: 9 a.m. – Noon PST

Second Saturday of each month (unless mentioned otherwise)

2025 Dates

• March 8th
• April 26th (4th Saturday of the month)
• June 14th
• September 13th
• October 25th (4th Saturday of the month)

(subject to change, please confirm on registration link)

If you have any questions about the workshop, please email [email protected] or call 925-866-7800.

Financial advisors do not provide specific tax/legal advice and this information should not be considered as such. You should always consult your tax/legal advisor regarding your own specific tax/legal situation.