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® .) …
Here’s the Scoop: Becoming a Financial Organizer
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
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!
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 …
Can You Be TOO Organized?
“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 …
Twenty Ideas for 2020
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 …
Facing the Elephants in the Room
What worries keep seniors up at night? What “elephants in the room” remain unacknowledged? Many of these “elephants” exist for clients and their families. Here are some of the concerns my senior clients have shared with me. They may sound familiar: “I will start to slip and important things will fall through the cracks.” “l’ll be a burden on my …
Paperwork: Keep vs. Shred
The question I get most often as a financial organizer / daily money manager (Personal Money Manager™) is “What do I need to keep and what do I need to shred?” Sometimes, anxiety over this question stops clients in their tracks—they’re afraid to do anything with their papers for fear that they will part with the wrong ones. As with …
Can’t Face Doing Paperwork? Here’s Help
You’ve resolved more than once to start doing paperwork on time. Each time, you begin with the best of intentions, but when you look at the piles of papers, you freeze. Can’t face doing paperwork? Here’s help. I’ve used the following “paperwork pointers” successfully with clients of Personal Money ManagerSM who faced the same challenge: Prepare in advance: get some …
Hit the Refresh Button
Making a New Year’s resolution? Chances are it’s to get better organized. So, as a financial organizer / daily money manager, how can I possibly ignore this topic? Here are my thoughts: Why pass up an opportunity to hit the “refresh” button? Along with the first signs of spring, the first day of school, etc., a new year gives us hope …