In the early days of Personal Money Manager™, I had a wide variety of clients (before I discovered that older adults were my favorites). My roster included an entrepreneur who tapped me for both personal and business financial organizing tasks.
One Saturday, working at her kitchen table, she asked me to put together an email to her soon-to-graduate daughter with detailed plans for moving out of college housing. My client was stressed and not happy about having to mastermind this project for her daughter. I chimed in with sympathy and a few nuggets from my experience as a mom of college-age daughters.
“This is all about me!” my client blurted out. She explained that hiring me for both company and family tasks was a special treat she gave herself. Part of the experience of having my assistance was the opportunity to have my exclusive focus during our time together. And she made that point loud and clear!
Of course, I was taken aback by her bluntness. But I always think of that as an important learning moment in my over 17 years at Personal Money Manager™.
It doesn’t mean that I don’t bring myself to each client visit. I do. After all, daily money management is more than papers and finances. This is a people business. “Crack the door. Share a piece of yourself” and “First, connect” are always good advice.
As a daily money manager / financial organizer, my work with clients is about their financial and organizing challenges. It’s paperwork, mail, sometimes clutter, and importantly, communicating with and coordinating with their trusted advisors. But it’s more than that. I am there to give clients my attention and bring them and their financial caregivers peace of mind.
I can—on a regular or as-needed basis—knowledgeably and calmly handle the expected and unexpected. I’m the extra pair of eyes to pick up when a notice from an insurance company or IRS arrives requiring urgent attention. I’m the additional pair of experienced hands for clients’ trusted advisors at tax time or when planning or settling an estate.
A long-time client said to me recently. “I like talking to you. You have all the answers.” I was flattered, but pointed out that none of us has all the answers. But I give her kudos for reaching out to me when she has questions or needs a puzzle master who listens first. She often has most of the answers but might need someone who will hear her out without judgement until she arrives there herself.
At Personal Money Manager™ I’ve learned to ask: What is my client really looking for? Do they want my opinion? Or are they working out their next move or letting off steam? Whichever it is, I have learned to always keep the focus on the person sitting with me at the kitchen table.
Could you or someone you know with overwhelming paperwork and financial tasks benefit from my personalized in-home services?
Copyright 2025 by Karen R. Caccavo, all rights reserved