About Lara

Social justice, sugar-based foods, and sass

Recent posts

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  Are there financial advisors for people with not much money?

  0 0 My best advice would be to check out some of the seminars and workshops offered by local groups like Financial Education Partners: http://www.everyoneiswelcome.org/financial_ed_providers.php http://www.dfi.wa.gov/financial-education/non-profit.htm. You'll get really great basic education and meet financial professionals that are likely to be willing to consult with you after the class is over. Lara answered in Personal Finance about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  Does anyone know a retirement planner they would recommend?

  0 0 If you're looking for wrap-around advising about government benefits as well as basic financial planning, I would definitely recommend you check out a financial planner who also has a certified senior advocate credential. You can find more info here: http://www.society-csa.com/CSAVerifier.aspx. I've worked with a lot of great professionals with these credentials, and they tend to be less sales driven that many other financial professionals and more focused on the client as an individual. Lara answered in Personal Finance about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

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  Tips for ensuring my Aspbergerian son is supported and not bullied by other kids when he goes to middle school?

  2 0 Beyond the emotional support you can offer to your son directly, I know that reaching out to teachers, school counselors and social workers, etc. proactively is huge. Some of them may not have the education to recognize his behavior as symptomatic of Aspergers, nor the tools for intervening in potential bullying situations. If you can help them become comfortable with addressing the topic, they're more likely to keep an eye out and actually address the issue when needed. There are definitely options as well for addressing his classmates directly. I work with teens with disabilities that aren't always apparent on first sight, so I know this approach doesn't work for all of them...But providing some education on what autism and Aspergers is, or even just disability awareness and etiquette in general, can be really helpful in preventing bad situations. There are lots of ways to make this happen without necessarily calling him out directly, or putting all the work on your shoulders. Some kids are gonna be jerks no matter what, but the ones who are more ignorant than ill-intentioned usually respond well to education. Lara answered in Schools about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 6 more answers »

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  I'm finally considering seeing if I qualify for a medical marijuana card. Where should i go?

  1 0 For info and advocacy, here's a place to start: http://www.medmj-wa.com/compassion.html; it seems like all of the local groups have merged to form this network. For actual authorization, I know it's offered here: http://washingtonstatecannabis.org/. Lara answered in Drugs & Supplements about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• Comment on Kristin Bell's answer…

  1 0 While entertaining, it seems that letting our 15 lb Maine Coon sit on my lap while I type does not improve my precision of language. Lara commented about 1 year ago

• Follow Following 1 Where can I go to get my car's oil changed and brakes checked for reasonable price and quality? Lara asked in Cars & Motorcycles about 1 year ago 3 Answers by Certainly!, David , Kristin Bell…

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  What hot dishes are good to take to a pot luck?

  0 0 If you want to go less main-dish, I'd suggest desserts and antipasto plates. Cakes, cookies, etc can be prepared ahead, don't need to be heated, and are always welcome. Antipasto plates let you throw together cheese, bread, meat, etc. with a minimum of effort, and can also be done heat-free. Lara answered in Cooking Tips & Tricks about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 9 more answers »

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  Do I really need a will? Would my kids suffer if I don't have one?

  1 0 Short answer: yes. If you're not a single person living in a cardboard box with no dependents, I would strongly suggest getting your papers in order. I say papers because in addition to a will, a medical and financial power of attorney are super helpful. Obviously, no one likes to think about the worst-case scenario, but think of it as akin to health insurance...you don't ever want to imagine getting hit by a bus, but it'd sure be nice to be covered if you did. In medical social work, I've seen those worst case scenarios of what happens if you don't have your wishes on paper beforehand and it's ugly for everyone involved. Luckily, preparing this stuff doesn't have to be as expensive or drawn out as you might think. If things are pretty simple for you, (traditional marriage, kids all from same marriage, one house, etc), you may be able to use a DIY kit like NOLO's Wills, Trusts, and Estates (http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/wills-trusts-estates/). For $42, you get the TurboTax of wills, power of attorney, etc, and you can do it all in just a few hours, print, sign, and notarize. If things are more complicated, call your local bar association and ask about estate attorneys who do flat-rate packages for this stuff. Lara answered in Other Family & Kids about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 5 more answers »

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  What type of IRA should I open and where should I open it?

  1 0 I'm a big fan of Vanguard (https://personal.vanguard.com/us/home). They have an excellent history of above-average returns and user-friendly accounts. My retirement through my employer is a Vanguard SEP-IRA, and I also use them to invest in index funds. They have a lot of options for those who are less well versed, like their Target retirement funds (you pick the year you aim to retire, and the funds will automatically adjust over the years to become less risky the closer you get to that target year). They also make automating your savings really easy. I have it set up to automaticaly transfer a certain amount from each paycheck into my Vanguard accounts, so the money is gone before I can spend it! Lara answered in Personal Finance about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 4 more answers »

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  Make-up and hair products that will last throughout a wedding?

  0 0 In additional to the products listed in the other comments, I'd definitely recommend picking up a bottle of Ben Nye's Final Seal to set your makeup. You can get a small bottle for about $6 at most costume/party supply shops. You just spritz it on over your completed makeup and it'll set everything and keep it matte for hours. Lara answered in Weddings about 1 year ago Answer, comment & read 3 more answers »

• See all of my 2 Questions , 11 Answers and 2 Comments