Don't wait for inspiration to strike! Jump in, start the work, be ready, and see what happens.

Waiting for Inspiration?

Karen CaccavoFinancial Organizing, Organize my finances, Working with Clients, Working with Seniors

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: …

Hope for the Best

Hope for the Best, Plan for the Risk

Karen CaccavoFinancial Organizing, Organize my finances, Working with Clients, Working with Seniors

I learned as an insurance broker and disaster recovery planner to consider worst case scenarios.  It helped me design air-tight insurance programs and risk management procedures for my clients.  We reduced uncertainty and everyone could sleep better at night! In those days, my focus was on risks such as forklifts, deep fryers, and youthful drivers.  As the State Farm ad …

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 …

Looking closely at vital documents

Document Vital Information

Karen CaccavoImportant Documents, Living Independently, Organize my finances

I’m a financial organizer / daily money manager.  I help clients manage their financial paperwork.  In my previous career as an insurance broker, I learned the importance of documenting client needs and information, and I use that experience in my work with senior clients. Now more than ever my senior clients need the support of another set of eyes or …

April 15th is the Usual Tax Return Deadline -- but not in 2020!

Tax Time Lessons Learned

Karen CaccavoOrganize my finances, Tax Organizing

In the middle of tax time in 2020 — my 13th tax season as a financial organizer / daily money manager — I find that working with a client to organize their tax documents and information can provide a great learning experience for both of us.* “Tax time?” you ask.  “Hasn’t that been put on hold?” Yes, but while July …

I Participated in Alzheimer’s Research: This is What it Was Like

Karen CaccavoCognitive Decline, Financial Organizing

On a hot and sticky August afternoon, I arrived for my appointment as a volunteer Alzheimer’s research participant at the Nathan S. Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research (NKI) in Orangeburg, NY. I was going to participate in NKI’s Memory Education and Research Initiative (MERI) Program, a study begun in 2003 to provide both evaluations to members of the community and …

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 …

Bring that back-to-school energy to your financial organizing

Bring that Back-to-School Energy to Your Financial Organizing

Karen CaccavoFinancial Organizing, Organizing Tips

Feel the energy and anticipation of the back-to-school season?  After a long lazy summer, change is in the air!  (And regular readers know that I enjoy any excuse to “hit the refresh button” when it comes to my specialty, financial organizing / daily money management).  So what is it about autumn back-to-school time that can inspire your financial organizing?  Here …