Remember when we were taught “the magic word”? That word was “please”. And it opened doors. We were also taught two other magical words: “Thank you.” At the start of this grinding pandemic, new attention was paid to those on the front lines—in healthcare, government offices, and the supermarket. Even those at the other end of the phone—to answer our …
No two Personal Money Manager™ clients are alike. But one thing they do have in common is that they each have an Owner’s Manual—though they didn’t have one before we met! What is an “Owner’s Manual” for a household? While some clients have an abundance of files and filing cabinets and many have lists in their heads, they all benefit …
My writing inspiration this month comes from two different childhood sources. One was Writers at Work, a book my Mom gave me with interviews with authors about their lives. (Mom wanted me to become a writer, and I chose Personal Money Manager™ with a blog). The other was a memorable sermon one Shabbat morning. They both had the same theme: …
I learned as an insurance broker and disaster recovery planner to consider worst case scenarios. It helped me design air-tight insurance programs and risk management procedures for my clients. We reduced uncertainty and everyone could sleep better at night! In those days, my focus was on risks such as forklifts, deep fryers, and youthful drivers. As the State Farm ad …
This story took place back in the fall, pre-vaccines, before we could see what we hoped was the “light at the end of the pandemic tunnel.” Still, I think it’s worth sharing this for the valuable lesson learned. It was our monthly Zoom call. We were all professionals working in the “senior world” like I do as a financial organizer …
I remember Dad’s Clutter Game that he invented for my siblings and me when we were young. It was a good rainy-day activity that kept us busy and out of each other’s hair. And it seemed to satisfy his life-long crusade against clutter. How would we get rid of stuff? Dad would set each of us up with paper grocery …
There’s a lot we learned the hard way this past, difficult year. But just reviewing the tough stuff wouldn’t provide an uplifting start to 2021. As a financial organizer / daily money manager, part of what I do is bring hope and positivity. Inspired by a colleague who does this each year, I put together a list of some of the things I… [ for MORE, click on the Title ]
As 2020 draws to a close (do I hear a cheer?), here’s something for those who, when it comes to paperwork organizing, would rather listen than read. I had the pleasure of appearing as a guest on the Taxgirl® podcast here. (Shout out to a colleague and loyal newsletter reader who recommended me to Kelly Phillips Erb, aka Taxgirl® .) …
I lost my mom in 2013, though the Alzheimer’s that gradually took her away makes it seem like several years before that. Remembering Mom Spending time with my grown daughters recently, I asked them if they had any “lessons learned” from their grandmother, my Mom. Stories emerged, from her amazing matzoh ball soup to her zany ways of seeing things …
From reporter to financial organizer / daily money manager Before starting Personal Money Manager™ I learned two important lessons from an earlier career as a writer and reporter. First, shut up and listen! If I didn’t have the “who, what, when, where, and why” plus a few good quotes by interview’s end, I was sunk. No story, no scoop. Second lesson: …