Best Gift for Mom: Financial Security

Mother's Day is Sunday, and I have an idea that's better than a card or flowers.

It's the gift of financial peace of mind -- and it's priceless! Plus, it's easy for you procrastinators to organize at the last minute.

Here's a tip: Moms worry. They worry about a lot of things, and they worry all the time, even though it doesn't always show. (Believe me. I'm a mom. Or ask my son!)

Moms worry about things they can control, and they worry even more about things they can't control. Mostly, moms worry about their kids. They never stop worrying about their kids, no matter how old they -- or the kids -- get.

And at the back of a mom's mind is always another secret, never-expressed worry that grows over the years. Moms worry about being dependent. They worry about growing old and running out of money, about being "bag ladies."

That's the basis of my Mother's Day gift idea. And since you're smart enough to be a reader of TheStreet.com, you're in a perfect position to create that gift.

It starts with getting your mother to talk about her financial worries and being a patient listener. Single moms have different worries than those with spouses. But I'll bet that nearly every mom will start the discussion with the words "I don't want to be a burden on you."

That's your gift opportunity. Now you can offer creative solutions to her deepest worries. If you have brothers and sisters, they can join you in financing the gift, in case your parents can't afford to buy it themselves.

The Gift of an Estate Plan

What if Dad has a serious stroke or dies? It's a nagging worry. But if your parents have a recently created or reviewed estate plan, some of that worry goes away. A revocable living trust will give the successor trustee the power to make financial decisions if one parent is incapacitated. A health care power of attorney is a must. And a living will, an end-of-life decision document, can save heartache in trying times.