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 …
Karen on the Radio
Did you hear me on the radio? If not, press the “play” button above, and then read on . . . It was a treat to sit down with Mark Brownstein, Director of Medicare at Emerald Medicare. He’s the voice behind “Medicare on the Air with Mark” from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. the first Friday of the month on WRCR …
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 …
Springtime Paper-Organizing Timesavers
Want to make up for that lost Daylight Savings hour? Here are four simple Personal Money Manager™ paper-organizing timesavers to the rescue! Choose one or more to keep papers under control. Rest assured that all have been field-tested with my senior clients. Some tips are “one and done” (like #1), while others take maintenance. I encourage clients who are so …
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 …
Our Memories are Not in Our Things — They are Inside of Us
It’s not an easy lesson. And I learned it the hard way…. One spring evening in London, I went to hear Robert Bly recite his poetry. He had won the National Book Award for Poetry in the US a few years earlier in 1967, yet the audience was small. Afterwards, we all went to the local pub for a pint. …
A Simple Thank You
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 …
Everyone Needs an Owner’s Manual: Here’s How to Get Started
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 …
Waiting for Inspiration?
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: …
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