Vision Capital Management Financial Advisor Portland Oregon

Vision Capital Management has been providing clients financial planning and investment management services since 1999. Visit our site to find out more.

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      • Christopher Anissian, APMA®
      • Katelyn Cummings, CFP®
      • Bryan Goss
      • Gina Jacobson, CFP®, CDFA
      • Marina Johnson, CFA
      • John LaBarca, CFA
      • Ellen Logan
      • Maria Malloy, CFP®
      • Sue McGrath
      • Sarah Quist, CFP®
      • Jeffrey Schmidt, CFA
      • Matthew Sheets, CFP®
      • Chris Sizemore, CPWA®, CMFC
      • Stacy Sizemore, IACCP®
      • Madison Steinbrenner, IACCP®
      • Liz Swagerty Olsen
      • Cliff Yount, IACCP®
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Feb 28 2025

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Start with your clothing and closets, sorting through what does and does not fit and what can be donated to charity.
  3. Declutter furniture, décor, and household items by room and then size, gifting functional pieces to family and friends and donating the rest.
  4. Address digital information and share details for important vendors such as your bank and insurance provider to your next of kin.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: CHARITABLE GIVING, DIVORCE, ESTATE PLANNING, FINANCIAL ADVISOR, FINANCIAL PLANNING, PERSONAL FINANCE, RETIREMENT PLANNING, UNCATEGORIZED · Tagged: FINANCIAL PLANNING, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, Personal Finance, RETIREMENT PLANNING

Oct 28 2024

IRS Announces Federal Income Tax Bracket Adjustments

The IRS issued an announcement last week that highlighted several changes, including inflation adjustments to each income bracket, which applies to filings in 2026 for the tax year 2025. Additionally, the press release stated that the standard deduction will increase for both married couples and singles, and will include increases for capital gains brackets, estate and gift tax exemptions, and earned income tax credit eligibility. Left unchanged by the IRS are personal exemptions, itemized deductions and lifetime learning credits, items that have been adjusted for inflation in the past.

To read the full statement released by the IRS, click the button below. To better understand how these changes may affect you and your short- and long-term plans, please contact your client relationship manager or email us at info@vcmi.net.

IRS Adjustments for 2025

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: FINANCIAL PLANNING, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, PERSONAL FINANCE, TAX PLANNING · Tagged: Federal income tax, FINANCIAL PLANNING, inflation adjusted, internal revenue service, Personal Finance, taxes

Oct 13 2024

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.

Written by Liz Swagerty Olsen · Categorized: ECONOMY · Tagged: FINANCIAL PLANNING, INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, Personal Finance, WOMEN FINANCIAL ADVISOR

Certifications and Associations

Certified Women Owned Business
Certified
Private Wealth Advisor
Certified Financial Planner
CFA Institute
Certified Divorce Financial Analyst
Financial Planning Association Member
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