Everyone should have one,
Putting one together seems tedious and time consuming,
It’s easy to put off,
But very important!
What is it? No, it’s not a riddle – it’s an inventory of important documents and family records, and the first line says it best – everyone should have one!
We live in an unpredictable world, and (unfortunately) emergencies are a fact of life. Because emergencies are by their nature unexpected, we cannot possibly anticipate what future problems we might face, but we can eliminate some of the anxiety surrounding the unknown by being prepared, no matter what comes our way.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says that when it comes to preparing for emergencies, financial readiness can be as important as a flashlight with fully charged batteries. The agency offers several tips to help consumers prepare:
- It recommends buying a fireproof file box where you can place your important documents, extra keys, safe deposit box key, and a small amount of cash. The box should be kept in a location that is easily accessible in case of an emergency, and it should be portable – something that you can ‘grab’ quickly.
- The agency recommends that you keep backups of important financial data maintained on your computer. This backup should be kept in your fireproof file as well as your safe deposit box.
- AND the agency recommends that you compile complete inventories, including:
- An inventory of household belongings (to help with insurance claims);
- A list of emergency contacts and your insurance policy information;
- An inventory of current prescriptions and your medical history;
- A list of phone numbers or email addresses and websites for your creditors, financial institutions, landlords, and utility companies, as well as a list of account numbers;
- Copies of financial and family records that include deeds, titles, wills, birth and marriage certificates, passports, and relevant employment, benefit, retirement, and Social Security documents.
If you feel daunted by the job of putting together (and maintaining) all of these inventories and copies, you are not alone.
We can help! We encourage our clients to be prepared for emergencies by keeping inventories and guarding their important paperwork. If completing such an inventory has been on your to-do list for far too long, come to our Nov. 30 workshop, where we will present a variety of resources to assist you with the process. This workshop, which starts at noon, is designed to equip you with the tools for your individual needs and is an important first step to obtaining the peace of mind that comes with being prepared. Please RSVP to http://www.blogger.com/Lisa@gjstocks.com. Look forward to seeing you there.
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