Let me start off by saying the name of this business should be called "A New and Living Way to Take Your Money" I recently moved to the area and found the owner of this site on a local networking site. He is offering "organizational services and routine coaching'. As somebody who just moved I wanted someone to help me get my new place organized and also develop some sort of organizational system in place. From the sound of it, I thought he could certainly help me, or so it would seem. I contacted him about his business. I thought I would include parts of our e-mail so anyone who is thinking of his service and read it and see exactly what he said and he can't claim otherwise. After he wrote me back about his "six month package", I asked him about the cost and how exactly he implements the program. He wrote the following (this is copy and pasted) (P.S. Any spelling mistakes and his horrible grammar are from him as this is copy and pasted" "The program is generally over the phone. But if you are local a visit would make sense for on hands help. Cost is 4500. Paid in full or 6 month payment plan. Perhaps you would like to schedule a discovery session which is complimentary so I can further assess your needs?" I e-mailed him the following "I have a few questions so I can do my due diligence before I would want to go any further. - How long has "A New and Living Way" been operating and/or how long have you been doing this as a career? - What is your educational background and credentials? - Can you provide a list of clients for references on the effectiveness of this program? I am sure you get those questions all the time as I do in my line of business. I guess I am just use to asking the same things now. lol It's a hefty price tag and I want to make sure I am not handing my money over to just anyone. I am sure you are an ace at what you do." He replied with the following "Hey Max. I appreciate you doing your due dilegence in seeking help with organizing. I would ask similar if not the same questions of anyone that I was seeking services from. Truth be told A New and Living Way is a very young company. I formed it in March of this year. I dont have any formal education but I do attend monthly meetings of the National Association of Professional Organizers. It is a recent career shift. It is an up and coming field and I feel I am very capable of doing what I set forth to do for clients. There is somewhat of a hands off approach ie with the phone calls but also the built in accountability to make sure people are getting accomplished what they want to. In addition since you are local I am willing to work with you on location if you so choose. I would love to say I can guarantee that what I offer you would be 100 percent totally effective but that isnt really fair to say or realistic. It all depends on the motivation of the client. Thats not to say I would say do this this and this and leave you hanging. I would give you customized detailed ways of making your work space and home space separate by coaching you to implement sustainable routines. My services do NOT include me coming in and doing all the organizing for a client! LOL As far as the price, well I think of it more as an investment in the business you run out of your home. From what I heard you say you need help in this area. I developed my package for six months because doing the parts of the program piecemeal wont produce the desired effect that clients want. Routines and habits take time to form and being organized doesnt happen overnight! :) I do accept credit cards and the payment plan is 6 months 750 dollars a month billed once per month on the start date. Hope this helps. Erik A New and Living Way" As shocked as I was from the answer. I.E. His lack of total experience and the price he is charging, I asked him about contracts in which he stated he was having a lawyer look over one currently. I then informed him I researched the NAPO organization he had mentioned and I could not find him listed as a member at all. I asked him to explain that to me. He replied with the following: "Im not a professional member or a provisional member. It costs a lot of money to do that and you have to watch several online classes which I just havent had time to watch yet. And honestly I havent completely gotten things off the ground yet ie still need to have an attorney look at my contract etc. I appreciate you asking the tough questions. And while its hard for me to say I dont have everything in place that I would like to my philosophy is to be honest rather than make it look like I have everything one would expect a business person to. Hope this helps. Keep the questions coming. Lol Erik A New and Living Way" After that I was finished and wrote him a lengthy and harsh e-mail. BEWARE OF HIM!!! read more