Maria Malloy, CFP®, details the ways in which we support clients when grieving the loss of their spouse.
Cleaning and Organizing … the Swedish Way
There are many organizational methods for reducing our clutter and making our spaces more efficient, tidy, and serene. There is the “One-Touch Method” which bucks procrastination in favor of putting things away immediately after use, and the “Neat Method” which employs various color-coded containers and labeling for sorting and display. The KonMari method from Japan instructs organizers to ask themselves if their items still spark joy in them, and if not, to release the belongings with gratitude. And, yet another approach has risen in popularity, this time from Sweden, known as “döstädning,” or the translated “death cleaning,” which seeks to reduce clutter and stress from an aging person’s home and life.
While it may sound severe, the idea of döstädning is actually a very thoughtful and respectful exercise for both the individual and their loved ones. Contrary to KonMari, which centers on the individual’s attachment to their possessions, this approach asks how family and survivors will feel about the items left behind after a loved one’s death. Margareta Magnussen, author of “The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning,” explains how employing döstädning can streamline an individual’s space and create a peaceful environment in which they can focus on what matters to them at that stage of life. The process of sorting and gifting belongings and communicating with family and friends about what they would like to have can often bring loved ones closer together, and may minimize the future burden on family members, allowing them to focus on grieving rather than a large clean-out project.
For those interested in the process of döstädning, professionals recommend the following:
- Tell your family about this process you are undertaking, what you hope to get out of the experience and ask them what items they would like to inherit from you.
- Start with your clothing and closets, sorting through what does and does not fit and what can be donated to charity.
- Declutter furniture, décor, and household items by room and then size, gifting functional pieces to family and friends and donating the rest.
- Address digital information and share details for important vendors such as your bank and insurance provider to your next of kin.
- Take stock of valuable jewelry and heirlooms and communicate with your insurance provider regarding appropriate coverage. Next, give some thought to who you will leave these items to and make those wishes apparent in your documents.
- Gather your paperwork and leave clear instructions regarding your will, advance health directive, power of attorney and any other related documents to your intended survivors.
While it may seem like a big undertaking, döstädning can give practitioners the chance to find memory and meaning in their possessions, as well as a sense of lightness and contentment when they let them go.
To connect with a client relationship manager, email info@vcmi.net.
October Is National Economic Education Month
At Vision Capital Management, we believe in educating our clients on all aspects of their financial life and, in doing so, know we will be empowering financial wellness. October is National Economic Education Month, so we have gathered several of our favorite resources for our own ongoing education on the global economy, financial markets and personal finance. Below are links to various blogs, websites and podcasts we hope you find valuable and informative.
Websites and Blogs:
- HerMoney – As a journalist, founder Jean Chatzky recognized that when it comes to money matters, women are different. She founded HerMoney with the intention to inform women with easy-to-understand content about finance and the economy and inspire them to stress less and invest more.
- Investopedia – Aiming to simplify financial information and decisions, Investopedia provides clear and easy to understand information and news updates on banking, investing, the economy and personal finance with over 56 million monthly readers.
- San Francisco Federal Reserve Blog – in-depth articles with insight from Federal Reserve experts, it provides commentary to accompany data and indicators as well as a behind the scenes look at working for the Federal Reserve.
Podcasts:
- Bloomberg Daybreak– Powered by the massive research and analysis provided by Bloomberg, this show delivers the day’s top financial stories in 15 minutes.
- Freakonomics – Bearing the same name as the ultrapopular book by Steven J. Dubner, it explores the ‘hidden side of everything’ such as pollution, bananas and human behavior and the impacts on the economy.
- Planet Money – Journalists explore various topics such as cap and trade policies, political turmoil abroad, artificial intelligence and more and then explain the ties back to the economy and the effects on consumers.
Cybersecurity: Staying Safe in a Digital World
October is cybersecurity month and it is always a good idea to review best practices and stay up-to-date with current trends and schemes. Below we share cybersecurity tips and reminders for your online activity in an effort to mitigate vulnerabilities and avoid security threats.
As always, if you have any questions, please contact your client relationship manager.
1. Unsolicited phone calls – A primary red flag for cybercrime is when an individual receives an unsolicited call from a scammer pretending to be an associate of a legitimate business or organization asks for sensitive information such as that person’s log in information and password, etc. Remember, your bank, custodian or other financial institution will never contact you and ask for these details. If you receive a phone call that you think is fraudulent, hang up and call the main number for the organization and explain your experience.
2. Urgency and fear tactics – Bad actors can be convincing and when they increase the fear and threats they can manipulate individuals into releasing sensitive information, linking bank accounts and/or transferring money remotely. If you feel you are being targeted, pause and look at the facts as you know them and then reach out to your financial client relationship manager or a law enforcement agency if necessary.
3. Strong passwords – Create unique passwords with different combinations of letters, numbers and upper- and lower-case letters and special characters. Avoid using common and easily guessed information such as your child’s name or your birthdate. Additionally, steer away from reusing the same password for multiple websites as that increases the probability it will be hacked.
4. Update devices and software – When you receive a notice from your operating system, your web browser or the applications you use regarding a planned update, be sure to accept the update and participate. These revisions and upgrades often address security patches, software glitches and other vulnerabilities. It is important to keep your systems current which will reduce unintended access to fraudulent users.
5. Two-factor authentication – Two-factor authentication is the method of requiring two separate forms of identification to verify a user’s identity. For example, if you are logging on to your bank account from your laptop, you will then receive a text message from the bank that verifies you are in fact your self and then properly logs you in. Two-factor authentication is a simple way to protect your information and thwart bad actors from accessing data. We recommend using two-factor authentication whenever possible, particularly for financial accounts, health records, government agencies and other sensitive information.
6. Stay alert and use your best judgment – The most advanced tool we have to fight cybercrime is our existence as humans and our inherent intuition. Perhaps the email you received shows a company logo that looks outdated or fuzzy. Maybe the sender of the email has an email address that looks similar to an official address but appears to have a misspelling. Or, maybe the phone call you received tipped you off because of the terse manner of the agent speaking or the short timeline they gave you to provide information. Whatever the clues, be aware and proceed with due caution. As the adage goes, when in doubt, don’t act. Reach out to your financial advisor, call your banking institution or contact another trusted person that may help you understand if the request is legitimate, or recognize the intended criminal activity and shut it down.
If you have any questions or concerns, we recommend you reach out to your client relationship manager or email us at info@vcmi.net.
Rituals over Routine
September is upon us and students and teachers everywhere are back at school. For many adults, it is a popular time to reset routines and assess goals and progress. September is also National Self-Care Awareness Month, reminding folks to prioritize their own health and well-being. According to psychologists, turning our routines and habits into rituals can help us to approach tasks with intention and focus and allows us to infuse everyday duties with joy and meaning. In the blog post below, we have compiled ways in which financial responsibilities can be transformed into rituals.
- Write down your small and large financial goals. Place the note where you will see it often and make a habit of rereading it several times a week.
- Be intentional with your time and money. Review your calendar before the week begins and forecast spending. Look for ways to get creative and stick to your budget, such as carpooling with a friend to an event or taking mass transit.
- Automate your bills and banking and identify accounts you can set up on autopay for ease and peace of mind.
- Treat yourself to a favorite playlist, make a cup of tea, and light a cozy candle before you settle in to pay your bills or enter budget numbers.
- Plan a budget date with your partner such as a neighborhood walk, a coffee or cocktail date or an afternoon drive to discuss individual and joint goals and check in with each other.
- Journal your anxieties and concerns related to personal finance obligations and goals. What is providing the most stress? What can you do today, next week and next month to address it?
- Recall a time or times in your life when you made financial decisions that you were proud of and proved advantageous. What worked well then? How can that experience inform today’s choices and actions?
- Remember a person in your life you admire(d) for the way in which they conduct their personal finances and affairs. What did they do and what did they represent to you that you can learn from and adopt as your own style?
If you are experiencing a stressful time of transition or are simply looking to discuss your investment management and financial planning with an expert, please email us at info@vcmi.net or call 503-221-5656.
