When it comes to my profession–daily money manager–there are several myths* (or, rather, myth-conceptions) ripe for busting. Unfortunately, these misunderstandings sometimes confuse colleagues, clients, and their families. And might stand in the way of their reaching out for assistance from a daily money manager. Let’s set the record straight on 4 misconceptions I encounter: 1) DMMs are money managers. The …
Voting While Gray (Haired)
Early in my career at Personal Money Manager™, I had the pleasure of signing, as a witness, a client’s ballot. She was determined to vote, as she had her whole adult life, but disability prevented her from voting in person–or signing her absentee ballot with anything other than an “X”. Together, we made sure her ballot was correctly completed and …
“Who Will Make Me?”
The AARP Family Caregivers Discussion Group is a helpful resource for me at Personal Money Manager.™ In this on-line group a recently-widowed senior posted his lament: I know I should be getting out more . . it would lift my spirits . . . but there’s no one in my life now who will make me. Working with …
Does Your Stuff Have an Exit Ramp?
If stuff comes into your house or office, or . . . anywhere, it also needs a way to get out. It’s a rule of nature. When things flow in but don’t flow out, clutter results. It makes sense. But it’s an challenge that I find clients have not considered or solved for themselves. Clutter can happen anywhere. And it …
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
There’s something about getting to April 15 that makes us feel like runners bursting through the ribbon at the finish line. As a non-runner, I can only imagine that thrill. All victories — big or small –are always worth celebrating. What’s different at Personal Money Manager™ is that the work we do to get to the end …
Paper-Organizing Resources
Paper-Organizing Resources I recently had the pleasure of teaching a one-session class with The Learning Collaborative. Thank you to the participants and the TLC organizers for welcoming me to the Zoom podium as an instructor over the last four years. It’s a great group! My topic was, as always, paper organizing. Fellow professional organizer, Andrea Bowser of Space Matters Home …
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 …
Oldies But Goodies
It’s a new year and so tempting to try new things. I’m with you! But sometimes, when it comes to paperwork organizing, we at Personal Money Manager™ find that the tried-and-true can be the way to get things done for our senior clients. Here are some examples: Three “Oldies but Goodies” to start the New Year; 1) …
Don’t Panic — Just Go!
Where do you get your inspiration? Life lessons? Over the past 16 years at Personal Money Manager™ I’ve found them in expected and many unexpected places! In the spirit of discovery, I’m sharing this story from a wonderful quilting colleague, Melanie Tauzon, with her permission. (I encourage you to look here and here for her creative work.) Last week, …
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 …