Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Daily Money Management?
Daily Money Management is the name for what you would typically call your household bookkeeping, or household financial management. That is, what you do (or used to do) every week or month where you spend time with the bills and invoices and write checks or log in and pay online. Daily money managers will also do this for you, but they will also do more.
In addition to these basics, a daily money manager will document where all the money goes and put it in easy-to-read reports, help you with creating a budget, spend time looking at billing statements in detail looking for errors and fraud, and even help to organize all this paperwork into an easy-to-use filing system. These services may either be for a period of time or may be ongoing depending upon your needs.
Q: What is the process to work with you?
The engagement process is fairly simple. There will be a no charge initial meeting in which we will review your particular situation. From that meeting, we will develop options and recommendations for review. When you are ready to take that next step, we'll meet again to formalize the specific services tailored for you and get started!
Q: How often do you meet with clients?
Depending upon the client's needs, typically we meeting once a week or once every two weeks. At the beginning of the engagement it is likely that we will meet weekly.
Q: Do you customize your services for each client?
Yes! We customize our services based on the client's needs. You will not need to pay for services that you are not using.
Q: How much will this cost?
Since every situation is different, there isn't just a single price. We work using an hourly rate which includes time spent on the initial setup as well as ongoing services. Materials and supplies that you wish to use for organization will also be charged if we purchase them for you. We believe that regardless of the types of services you want to use, we believe you will find good value for the price. In fact, the additional organization can sometimes find positive surprises of identifying forgotten funds.
Q: My spouse recently passed away. Can you help with all the paperwork?
While we are neither tax professionals, nor legal advisors, we can help you work with these professionals to get through what needs to be done right away and what can wait until you have had a chance to grieve and are ready to work through the longer-term view of the new normal. We can also provide help with the daily management of finances to make sure bills still get paid during this difficult time period.
Q: Where is your service area?
Triad Personal Paperwork Services focuses on southern Chester County, PA, southern Delaware County, PA, and New Castle County, DE areas. Some of the cities we service include, but are not limited to: Wilmington, Hockessin, Newark, Chadds Ford, West Chester and Kennett Square.
Q: Will you help me with my taxes?
Since we are not tax professional, we do not fill out and submit tax forms for you. However, we will work with your tax professional to make sure he or she has all of the supporting paperwork documentation needed to prepare your taxes.
Q: Will you help with investments?
We are not investment professionals and are not permitted to give you guidance on how to handle your investments. We will be happy to review and explain brokerage statements and other materials you receive as well as work with your investment professional. We will also include investment income and expenses with the financial reports we create for you.
Q: Will you help with medical bills?
We can assist with the review of medical bills or invoices just as we do for any other bill presented for payment. However, we do not provide the services to fill out medical forms and claims at this time. We will be happy to work with you or a person designated as your Medical Power of Attorney for these types of paperwork.
Q: Do I have to turn over my accounts to you? Do I have to add you to my accounts?
No. Triad Personal Paperwork Services does not require you to sign over accounts to us nor do we require you to add us to your accounts. As a client, you should understand that your finances totally remain in your name. The Daily Money Manager's role is to simply provide professional assistance. We work with you using your accounts.
Q: Why should I use a daily money manager?
Each client has their own reasons for using a daily money manager. It may be the piece of mind that an aging parent isn't being taken advantage of, and the bills are paid on time. It may be learning money skills you don't have, freeing your time to focus on other things or people. The list is endless.
Q: How do I know I can trust you?
This business is built on trust and you have to be comfortable with the Daily Money Manager you hire. Thomas is a member of the American Association of Daily Money Managers (AADMM) and follows the principles found in the association's Standards of Practice and abides by the Code of Ethics. Triad Personal Paperwork Services is also a member of the Delaware Senior Resource Network and is insured.