Driving Solo: How to Turn Chaos into Control After the Death of a Loved One
Author: Susan Covell Alpert
When multi-successful-entrpreneur Susan Covell Alpert’s husband Larry Alpert died suddenly of leukemia, Susan dropped everything to take care of him his final year. She chronicles the pain of loss of her beloved husband and the debacle that his death created when she had to take care of the finances after: the funeral, the credit cards, the demise of a successful businessman.
With great courage and empathy and well as one of the best books on the market as far as organization for the partner of the person who is passed away, Driving Solo illuminates like a diamond. Alpert is a wonderful writer and captures the dichotomy of trying to organize her affairs while she does not even want to get up in the morning. Crystalline and perfect, Driving Solo gives a step by step form by form delineation of where to go and what to do when you know you need to step in to survive financially.
Alpert says: “After a fairy-tale wedding, we lived ‘happily ever after’ – as happy as real-life gets –except, of course, that’s not really the end of the story,” says Alpert, author of “Driving Solo,”. “Ten months after my husband was diagnosed with leukemia, I lost him – along with my passion and ability.”
In Phase 1 – Getting Started, Alpert defines what to do:
Step A. Project preparation and Organization
Step B: Immediate Notification
Step C: Self Care
Step A: Alpert states that you must define your workspace.
Designate a work area dedicated to this project only. Keep all of your office supplies in this area. Organize your project, and keep track of all phone calls with attorneys, financial advisors, and banking institutions. Ask everyone what you must do to follow through. Set up the filing system. Keep all receipts. Make folders for subjects like accounting, banking, financial investments, etc. Ask for help. Dump the junk. Separate items needed for immediate attention. Open mail and prioitize.
Step B: Whom do you call first?
Your professional team, your insurance providers and social security. Your professional team includes attorneys and all other professional service providers. If you don’t have professionals, find someone who can think clearly to help you – family and friends.
Step C: Put yourself first.
Accept and ask for help. Go to professional grief counseling and your doctor. Search online for grief support groups. Get outdoors. Eat regularly and well. Get sleep. Take a break.
As she continues, Alpert gives forms and step by step guidance through every phase of the grieving process and the financial process. A brilliant book by a brilliant woman.
Ratings are based on a 5-star scale
Overall: 4
Review by Broad “A” – Ava
We received a copy of this title for our book review. All opinions are our own
Driving Solo: Dealing with Grief and the Business of Financial Survival
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