No doubt about it, 2020 has taken its toll on people. It will be remembered as the year that everyone wants to forget.
It has caused untold costs in social, political, physical, emotional, financial, and for some people even spiritual, wellness. Some people have been through – well, hell. There is no other way to say it.
It’s Sunday evening, November 22, 2020. I am in Sun River, Oregon, on the last day of a weeklong semi-vacation with my partner. As I sit next to the fire in this lovely rented condo, snow outside the window, I feel so much gratitude for so many things.
| I began working with Alison Salisbury when I became responsible for my parents’ finances as their fiduciary. Alison is fantastic — conscientious, knowledgeable, ethical — everything one could hope for. After a couple of years, she referred me to Esther Yang, who is fabulous as well. Finances stress me, but every time I work with Esther, I feel calm and reassured. Esther brings extraordinary attention to detail, follow through and ethics to her work — and although the very notion of spending hours on accounting is stressful for me, I truly look forward to spending time with her. A terrific group. You can’t go wrong here.
— A Yelp for Business Review |
| Alison is a … “Master chef who doesn’t cook the books!”
— A Yelp for Business Review |
As we enter the season most associated with giving thanks and giving back, I have been reflecting on the meaning of the terms “philanthropy” and “charity.” Many of us are moved at this time of year to be generous. We want to express our gratitude for the good things that have come our way, to share in the “wealth,” so to speak. Others are seeking rewards in the form of tax breaks or other incentives.
Read More “Giving Thanks and Giving Back – What’s in it for me?”
I’ve been there. After a messy expensive divorce in which I made a few costly emotional decisions, the financial implosion of 2008, a layoff, and a huge rent increase all in the same year (and I thought 2020 is bad!), I hit my financial bottom. My bank account was perilously low, my credit cards had high balances, I had no job, and my expenses had increased dramatically.
Financial Planning
If you are reading this blog, you most likely have already created your financial roadmap to the future, but it bears reminding that even the best laid plans can change in a moment. How long has it been since you reevaluated your plan? Is it in step with your life goals as they stand now?
Read More “Is Your Financial Plan in Step with Your Life Goals?”
2020 . . . A pandemic. Fires. Earthquakes. Floods. Hurricanes and tornadoes. Social unrest. Political acrimony. Economic peril. What else can possibly go wrong??
Everything. And anything.
As we enter September, we are only three-quarters of the way through this tumultuous year. And although the month was not originally named for so many wide-ranging and far-reaching crises, it is apropos that September is National Preparedness Month.
If you have an aging loved one who is still living on their own, there’s a good chance you’ve thought about a wearable medical alert system. Remember that awful commercial “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”? There are so many services out there it’s hard to figure out what’s the best and most cost-effective solution. As a daily money manager who’s worked with both seniors and busy families, I’ve learned some tips that can help you navigate this important decision.
You can scarcely open up a local newspaper without reading about how hot the Bay Area real estate market is. That’s great news for home sellers but not so much for someone looking to exchange a rental agreement for a mortgage deed. As a daily money manager, I work with clients who long for homeownership and need help with getting their finances together.
Holiday-induced credit card debt is a growing problem in America. According to NerdWallet’s 2017 Consumer Holiday Shopping Report, more Americans find themselves in debt because of holiday purchases. If tackling credit card debt — especially with bloated balances due to holiday spending sprees — there’s hope. As a Daily Money Manager, I work with many clients in reducing debt and creating a more stable financial life. Ready to get started?
