Late payment notices, overdraft fees, missed deadlines, confusing medical bills–you don’t have to be a senior to encounter these unwelcome surprises in your mailbox. While keeping up with paperwork is something people of all ages must do, it can be especially overwhelming for seniors and the disabled. A trusted family member or friend can help, but people often do not …
6 Signs That You’re a Daily Money Manager
I’m Karen R. Caccavo, and I’m a Daily Money Manager (also called a financial organizer). I woke up recently with an earworm that I couldn’t shake. What was the tune stuck in my head? Aha! It was the music on hold for E*Trade! After all, the day before, it was my soundtrack for 45 minutes while waiting for a live …
Daily Money Managers: No Longer the Best-Kept Secret
Daily Money Managers (and the important financial organizing work they do with clients) are in the news! In case you missed it, here’s a short roundup of what’s being said about DMMs with links to the complete articles. Last June, The Wall Street Journal quoted Personal Money ManagerSM in “When Aging Parents Need Help With Financial Tasks.” That article states: Daily …
Document Vital Information
I’m a financial organizer / daily money manager. I help clients manage their financial paperwork. In my previous career as an insurance broker, I learned the importance of documenting client needs and information, and I use that experience in my work with senior clients. Now more than ever my senior clients need the support of another set of eyes or …
Bundle Up
A chill in the air makes us want to bundle up. And not just with blankets and quilts (though I do love quilts!). Bundling is a simple technique to start adopting a new habit. At Personal Money Manager™ I’m often asked how to develop new routines and good organizing habits to avoid clutter build-up and the confusion it …
Ten Years of Putting Pen to Paper
Ten years ago, and six years into Personal Money Manager™, I put pen to paper, starting a blog and a newsletter, “Notes for Trusted Advisors.” Creating content. Truthfully, I had been resistant to having a business newsletter, even a blog, From the Desk of Personal Money Manager™. You see, my first job out of college and at several …
As Easy as 1-2-3
It’s a simple technique. Even easy. Maybe you learned it in kindergarten, or, from your Mom. It’s a strategy that stands the test of time. And works for me and my clients of all ages in my 16 years as Personal Money Manager™. (And while I work exclusively with clients’ paperwork (no attics or garage organizing for me), this technique …
Back to (Paper Organizing) Basics
It’s that time of year. Back to school for the kids and back to organizing basics for us grown-ups! Much of what I do as a financial organizer / daily money manager with or for senior clients is what I call “basics.” Some are tasks they could do themselves IF they had the time, interest, attention, or bandwidth. But that …
Beyond the Will — Part 1
It’s challenging to get people to sit down and create a will (no surprise that over half the adult population is without one). Lack of time and focus, fear, even superstition get in the way. I am not an attorney: I clearly leave will-writing (and all other legal work) to those professionals. As a financial organizer / daily money manager …
A Personal Owner’s Manual — When and Why
What is an “Owner’s Manual” for a household? A few months ago, I wrote here about creating an Owners Manual with essential contacts, financial, and household information in one easy-to-access place. So what do I mean by an Owner’s Manual? Start by reading that short blog post. I create custom Owner’s Manuals for clients (and keep them up-to-date). But whether …