by Robyn | Aug 23, 2016 | Financial Literacy, General, Helping Mom & Dad, Saving Money
Typically paid personal care, such as dressing and bathing, is not tax deductible. If an individual meets the IRS requirements, however, long term personal care can be deducted as a medical expense. Before you toss your spouse’s or parents’ long term care bills, check...
by Robyn | Jul 26, 2016 | Helping Mom & Dad, Planning for Aging in Place, Saving Money
Adult children fighting over their parent’s money: this is one of the saddest, yet common, things I witness in my work as a daily money manager. In some cases, one or more of the children have a sense of entitlement, not understanding that their parents’ money is not...
by Robyn | Jun 21, 2016 | Banking, Budgeting, Credit Cards, Helping Mom & Dad, Planning for Aging in Place, Saving Money, Social Security
Handwriting checks is time consuming. Many of us no longer write checks to pay our own bills. If you are helping a parent or an older loved-one with bill paying, he or she may be resistant to newer methods. Paper checks are familiar to many seniors and make them feel...
by Robyn | May 24, 2016 | Financial Organization, General, Helping Mom & Dad, Planning for Aging in Place, Saving Money
When I opened the door to my client’s apartment, knew I was in for a treasure hunt. Tim was a new client, and I needed to quickly understand his legal and financial situation. He was in a nursing home and unable to communicate. I spent hours looking through his papers...
by Robyn | May 10, 2016 | Banking, Budgeting, Helping Mom & Dad, Saving Money
When Caroline began helping her mother with bill-paying, she was quickly overwhelmed. “I couldn’t believe the mess. Mom had four bank accounts and several credit cards,” she said. “There was no system to her bill paying.” In her late 80’s and suffering from macular...
by Robyn | Feb 9, 2016 | Banking, Financial Organization, Helping Mom & Dad, Planning for Aging in Place
Barbara’s mother called in a panic. Her power had been shut off. Barbara contacted the electric company and learned her elderly mother had not paid her bills in several months. Barbara, who lives in another state, made an emergency trip sort out her mother’s affairs....