Friday Fish Wrap: December 4, 2009

What a busy week this has been, despite the fact that I haven’t exactly been at the office for most of it. I did, however, get my personal ‘to do’ list pared down by leaps and bounds. I’m rather proud of the clean carpets, emptied out office, cleared off desk, appointments filled, hair cut etc etc etc.

One of the things that’s taken up a considerable amount of time this week has been ferrying some elderly friends around town to doctor appointments, and trying to make sense of their finances. This is a cautionary tale for any woman my age, who just might be married to a man more than 10 or 20 years older than herself. Like age really matters. Stuff happens, if you know what I mean.

‘He’ is simply not able to ‘get it’ anymore, dithering and worrying over minutae and the way it was back in the day. ‘She’ hasn’t paid a bill in three decades and doesn’t know how to use a computer. The kids are well, I don’t know the right turn of phrase …’ busy’.

Blindness, loss of hearing and other physical infirmaties don’t make this any easier.

They’ve been such dear friends for so many years, that it’s obvious that we will step up here. But, we’re both looking at this situation - from different gender and age perspectives - and having some serious talks with ourselves.

The immediate takeaway is this: you must force yourself to stay technologically conversant, and keep finances as simple and co-located in a credit union as possible. Stay far away from money managers. Stay far away from commercial banks that pay virtually zip interest and charge a fee for everything. Keep your significant other engaged in the affairs of finance.

Just some things to think about.

Just went to see ‘Pirate Radio’. Hot Damn! Whatta great movie!!!!

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