A helper for organizing my finances?
I need to hire someone to help me sort through my finances. My husband always handled everything (very poorly) and now that I’m taking over, I’m completely overwhelmed. I don’t think I need a financial professional (and don’t think I can afford that) - just someone who can help me go through our accounts and figure out what’s what so I can make a plan. There is some debt to manage and possibly some credit issues to repair as well. I would appreciate help from someone extremely trustworthy, organized and kind. Please send an ideas or recommendations you have. Thank you!
Jun 11, 2025
Parent Replies
First: good for you to reaching out for help getting started! I wish I had someone to recommend to help you start the process!
What I can recommend: the budgeting software, "You Need a Budget" (www.ynab.com). They offer a comprehensive guides to creating a money/budgeting system that works for you, with an emphasis on non-judgmentally getting clear on your spending/saving priorities and getting out of debt. I've used YNAB for more than a decade and find it so, so helpful. It could be a really useful tool to use for ongoing organization/money management once you've found someone help you through the initial sorting through. I know YNAB also has a directory of coaches certified in their system, so that might be a useful starting point: https://www.ynab.com/coaching/directory
Good luck!
The Oakland library has just launched a free financial planning service in partnership with a group called Advisers Give Back. There are some income limits but it might be just right for getting a free initial overview. https://advisersgiveback.org/OPL/
ATS here. Just had a thought. Would the Berkeley Senior Center be a resource? You cannot be the first person to have faced this issue.
I highly recommend Valerie. She is incredibly organized, trustworthy, and compassionate. She’s helped me in similar situations and has a real gift for making things feel less overwhelming. She’s not just detail-oriented. She’s also patient and nonjudgmental, which I know can make all the difference when you're dealing with finances that feel messy or stressful.
I truly believe she could help you get clarity, create a plan, and feel more in control of everything. She has helped me organize so much mentally and understand the fundamentals of certain decisions. Here is her contact valerie.sydnor [at] gmail.com (valerie[dot]sydnor[at]gmail[dot]com) or call her at (610) 906-6725
Hi. I paid a professional but she was reasonably priced. She helped me organize everything. I managed my own finances prior however became overwhelmed after buying a home. All the help is virtual but in real time she does everything with you. She’s amazing and her system has helped me.
https://workwithcaron.as.me/schedule/eb26898f
@moneycoachcaron on IG.