Meet Karen

Karen Caccavo

I have the best job in the world. Daily, I have the opportunity to improve clients’ lives, and never tire of hearing: “You’re my lifesaver.”

Here’s how I got to this point.

I hold an M.B.A. from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. About fifteen years ago, while working as an insurance broker, my clients would tell me how frustrated they were with their insurance (and other) paperwork. They might miss important invoices because they didn’t have a bill paying system. Or, they called to say they received their new insurance policies, but they didn’t understand them. They frequently asked my advice for organizing their insurance paperwork and other important documents.

 

I have held leadership positions in NAPO, heading the Working with Seniors Special Interest Group, and am Past President AADMM Greater New York Chapter. I am also part of the Estate Planning Council of Rockland County, New York and Central Westchester Geriatric Committee.

A variety of professional and community organizations have had me present to their membership, including the State Society on Aging of New York, Financial Planning Association of the Greater Hudson Valley, and Alzheimer’s Association, to name a few. In June 2016, The Wall Street Journal quoted me in their article, “When Aging Parents Need Help with Financial Tasks.”

A client recently put into words what we have heard from many others over the years: “Thank you for everything you do for me. I was so worried and discouraged, but now that you are in my life, I have hope.”

Now that you know something about us, we’re eager to learn about you and how we can be of assistance.

I am a volunteer leader with the National Association of Professional Organizers, heading the Working with Seniors Special Interest Group, and Past President of the American Association of Daily Money Managers Greater NY Chapter. I am on the board of the Estate Planning Council of Rockland County, New York.

I have presented to a variety of professional and community organizations including the State Society on Aging of NY, Financial Planning Association of the Greater Hudson Valley, and Alzheimer’s Association, to name a few. The Wall Street Journal recently quoted me in their article “When Aging Parents Need Help with Financial Tasks.”

A client recently put into words what I have heard from many others over the years: “Thank you for everything you do for me. I was so worried and discouraged, but now that you are in my life, I have hope.”

Now that you know something about me, I’d love to learn about you and how I can be of assistance.

I was happy to help. Problem-solving with clients was something I did well. But it was not how my employer wanted me to spend my time. Maybe I needed to make a career change.

With some research, I discovered the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM) and the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO)—no need to reinvent the wheel. I joined up and launched Personal Money Manager™ .

That was 2008.

In 2010, my husband, Steve Caccavo, became a Certified Senior Advisor (CSA)®, began handling projects for clients, and now has his own clients.

Over the years, we have added clients from referrals from trusted advisors and professional organizations, and through recommendations from satisfied clients and their families. With each client and project, we assume the role of resource and advocate for another senior and their family.

We are insured, bonded, and background-checked. We are continually educating ourselves on the challenges seniors face—from insurance to identity theft, from credit cards to capital gains--as well as how most effectively to work with senior clients. We pride ourselves on the skilled, ethical, efficient, but most importantly, compassionate work we do with clients every day in their homes. Always with patience and a sense of humor!