By Linda Zelig
MnSF Development Manager

Larry stopped by the Federation offices the other day. “You maybe should check the Minnesota Department of Commerce website and look at their unclaimed property listings. It looks as if the Senior Federation has some money lying around in the state coffers.”

I love it, finding lost money. Grab a jacket you haven’t worn for months, yippee, there’s a $5 bill in the pocket. And whenever I get up the gumption to thoroughly clean the sofa, I’m sure to find a few quarters that fell out some hapless pocket.

That’s fundraising of a sort, but you have look backwards to do it. You have to retrace your steps. Don’t get me wrong, as soon as Larry mentioned his “find” for the Federation, I hopped onto the website. Sure enough - there it was - we’ll be filing a claim soon. You may want to do the same for yourself. Just type “Minnesota Department of Commerce” into a search engine and you’ll get an index of sites from which you can fairly easily navigate your way onto unclaimed property and a list of names. There’s also a link to a national site of listings you may want to research.

Now put your forward-thinking cap on and check out the Metro spring convention May 5 at Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center. Among the many terrific presentations geared for seniors, is “Critical Issues - Ease of Mind Brings Its Own Reward.” We have two professionals who will lead the presentation...I guess they just wanted to get my attention with their opening descriptor, “Planning for death and incapacity.”

Okay I’m paying attention now! Folks, here’s an excellent way to look ahead to find, better yet, plan for your money. What can you control with your will, with a health directive, or with a “power of attorney” and other proper beneficiary designations? Have you done this yet - 'cause you know if you don’t someone else will. And there’s the state taking care of your money again, just like it’s safeguarding the Federation money in its unclaimed property division.

You’ve got some spring-cleaning to do: Shake out the sofa cushions, review your current estate documents, register for the Metro spring convention and don’t forget to look at the unclaimed property website, www.commerce.state.mn.us/ or call  (or 651/296-2568). Take one look backwards and then start looking ahead. See you at the convention May 5.

If you are interested in finding out more about how you can support programs for seniors in Minnesota, either through direct donations or through appreciated stocks or other investments, please call me at 651/783-5006 or toll-free 877/645-0261 ext. 5006, or e-mail me at . I’d love to talk with you.