Paper-Organizing Resources

Karen Caccavodecluttering, Paperwork Organizing

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 …

Use a warm quilt for bundling up in cold weather; or by using extensions of successful procedures you've been using in earlier projects.

Bundle Up

Karen Caccavodecluttering, Life Lessons, Paperwork Organizing, Tax Organizing

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 …

Sometimes images of things from our youth (like cars) bring back fond memories ("goodies").

Oldies But Goodies

Karen CaccavoGetting organized, Important Documents, paper organizing, Paperwork Organizing, Working with Clients

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)  …

To illustrate the tools to make a list.

Six Things I Learned in 2020

Karen CaccavoFinancial Organizing, Life Lessons, Paperwork Organizing, Working with Clients

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 ]

Hear Personal Money Manager™ on the Taxgirl® Podcast

Karen CaccavoLife Lessons, Living Independently, Paperwork Organizing

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® .) …

To illustrate a reporter's "scoop"

Here’s the Scoop: Becoming a Financial Organizer

Karen CaccavoDaily Money Managers, Financial Organizing, Paperwork Organizing, Working with Clients

From reporter to financial organizer 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:  Always be curious and eager to learn. Two …

6 Signs That You're a Daily Money Manager

6 Signs That You’re a Daily Money Manager

Karen CaccavoDaily Money Managers, Paperwork Organizing

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 …

Being disorganized is expensive

Being Disorganized is Expensive!

Karen CaccavoGetting organized, Paperwork Organizing

Are you disorganized?  Have you considered investing in assistance from a financial organizer / daily money manager or another type of professional organizer?   When weighing the cost of professional services, be sure to put into the equation the cost of NOT getting the help you need. Being disorganized costs you BIG. Surprise!  Being disorganized carries a big price tag, in …

Is there such a thing as TOO organized?

Can You Be TOO Organized?

Karen CaccavoPaperwork Organizing, Working with Seniors

“Too organized?” I don’t hear it often from clients or prospective clients who reach out to Personal Money Manager™.  But occasionally over the last 12 years I’ve heard:  “Maybe I’m too organized.”  This stops me in my tracks.  After all, if someone is TOO organized why would they be calling me for professional organizing assistance? Clearly, “too organized” (if there …

Illustrates using ideas or inspirations as springboards for improvement

Twenty Ideas for 2020

Karen Caccavodecluttering, Financial Organizing, Paperwork Organizing

Whether or not you make New Year’s Resolutions, here is a list of fresh ideas (not resolutions!) to inspire you as we enter a new year and new decade. Feel free to pick and choose the ones that appeal to you and edit them to better fit where you are right now. Please let Personal Money ManagerSM know if you …