At Independence Navigator, we understand managing personal finances can be overwhelming, especially for busy professionals and seniors. Our personal finance management services are designed to give you peace of mind and regain control of your financial health (and sanity). We offer in a range of services from daily bill and mail management to complex account reconciliation and “business side” Daily Money Management
Whether you’re too busy to want to deal with your mail, bills, or your finances in general, or need extra assistance to distill things to the big picture, let me help.
As the title suggests, the basic financial services of reviewing for accuracy and paying bills, reconciling bank and other financial statements (investments, credit cards, etc.) and ensuring everything is correct and paid on time. If things are not correct, I follow up with the vendor.
I also keep an eye on the expenses and types, and see if there are opportunities for deduction or other potential cost savings where it makes sense.
Preparing monthly or quarterly budgets and savings plans in line with personal goals or objectives.
Preparing monthly cash flow statements (where the money comes in and how it’s spent), with trends. Implementing the client’s saving and estate planning goals.
Monitor investment accounts and interact with investment manager.
Periodically review client’s credit report and ensure reporting is accurate. Provide services, if necessary, to dispute or correct entries. Facilitate closing of old/unused credit cards.
Review medical bills to make sure services were provided, compare to insurance Explanation of Benefits (EoB) to make sure the client isn’t overcharged and co-pays and deductibles are correct. Facilitation application to financial aid, if warranted.
Organizing tax documents and supporting receipts and reports, making certain the tax preparer has complete and accurate information.
As part of the Bill Paying and Account Reconciliation service, we monitor for suspicious behavior
There may be rare circumstances where a client requires more thorough assistance and there are no other suitable alternatives. This is not standard and is general an exception to the services.
Fiduciary services may require additional fees to cover specific bonding needs.
Power of Attorney services can be for a specific task, duration, or longer term.
Household Administration
“Boots on the Ground” to help oversee special projects or make sure things are running smoothly. Here’s an idea of what can be done:
Providing coordination and management to various household projects, such as renovations, downsizing, etc., or coordination with other professional services, such as CPA, planners, medical providers, etc.
Review vendors, including insurance, to ensure proper service levels and pricing. Facilitate transfer of services, if warranted or requested by client.
Taking inventory of household assets for insurance and other documentation reasons.
This is the various things in life that dealing with the government on various levels involves. From car registrations, renewal of licenses, even sending in sales taxes for hobby-businesses.
This service is part of the process with my retainer clients, but can be a project for those with fewer hours of services.
A “Life-Binder” is a physical and digital storage of important documents, addresses/contacts, and other vital information in case an emergency happens.
Free or discounted mobile notary services for my clients. If notary services part of a scheduled face-to-face meeting, it’ll be free, otherwise I can provide mobile notary services for a discounted fee.
This service helps manage your calendar and scheduling with various service providers, such as physical therapy or other home health care services or services where travel to a location is required.
This ties in nicely with the Daily Money Management aspect of tracking Medical Bills.
Take care of household payroll, including correct withholdings and reporting.
For the overcommitted Executor or Trustee, we provide bill payment, estate bookkeeping, and project management services to make the administration process go more smoothly.
Consulting & Coaching
Have a sudden life event and got behind on things? Need a hand digging out? I can help you get things back on track with the goal of having you take it back over.
Sometimes a huge pile of work staring you in the face is simply overwhelming. I can step in to tidy it up and get it organized for you. Then I can teach you how to keep it that way.
Once we have an idea of what is what, I can set up your budgeting and reconciliation system and show you how to do it in ways that save you time and money.
Want to make sure you’re still on track? Have questions? Give me a call.
Personal (& Virtual) Assistant
Personal life includes more than just finances. Sometimes a little help when you need it makes a huge difference. Very useful for busy folks who need more hours in the day.
From physical mail to email, can help review and manage your correspondence so that the important things get to you without being buried.
Can also manage more “personal touch” correspondence, such as birthday cards, thank-yous, and holiday cards.
Added touch services such as shopping, reservations, travel arrangements, etc.
Have a larger personal project, for example, a home renovation, or need an extra hand coordinating a large event, such as a reunion?
I can take over the day to day and help get things off the ground and running smoothly.
Assist client with reviewing mail, sorting mail into categories and acting upon the information as needed. Filing and organizing, as well as preparing electronic copies.