Family Finance: Expert counsel can maximize finances
BY JESSICA ANDERSON Money Power
Sunday, April 29, 2012
4/29/12 at 3:31 AM
When it comes to family finances, who you gonna call?
Think of these four pros as go-to guys on your team.
Computer geek: Your best bet is a referral from a friend who has used one successfully. When you call a firm, the technician should be able to give you a quote for remote help, whether by the hour (rates are typically around $100 per hour) or for a specific service. House calls cost extra. Or you can check out Best Buy's Geek Squad ( tulsaworld.com/geeksquad) or Geeks On Call ( tulsaworld.com/geeksoncall). Geek Squad offers wireless networking help starting at $90 online or in-home.
Career coach: The best way to find one is through a referral from a satisfied customer, but you can also start by searching through the National Career Development Association ( tulsaworld.com/ncda) or the International Coach Federation ( tulsaworld.com/icf). Counselors and coaches typically charge about $100 an hour, or they may offer a la carte pricing - say, $300 for a resume.
Geriatric care manager: Care managers assess needs as you (or family members) age, identify resources in your community and create care plans. Start your search with the National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers ( tulsaworld.com/caremanager). Using the Find a Care Manager tool, you can narrow the list by credentials and areas of practice, such as guidance for adults with disabilities.
An initial consultation typically costs $100 to $200 but may be as much as $500. Ongoing care runs $75 to $150 an hour, depending on your location.
Professional organizer: First visit the National Association of Professional Organizers' Web site ( tulsaworld.com/napo). Look for a certified professional organizer (CPO) with a Golden Circle designation.
Original Print Headline: Expert counsel can maximize finances
Jessica Anderson is an associate editor at Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine. To send her a question or comment, go to tulsaworld.com/kiplingerfeedback.
