Are you prepared for this disaster?

In sections of the country, disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes occur with little warning.  Thousands of people have to make the decision to suddenly evacuate  to shelters, often with little warning.

If this happens in your community, and you have to suddenly evacuate, would you be prepared to quickly take your vital financial papers with you? Obviously, saving lives is most essential, but how would you put your financial affairs back in order after the event? Would you know the names of the car insurance and flood insurance companies to call? When the clerk asks, "What is your policy number?", would you know what to say? How about needing copies of your professional license or other credentials, if you decide later to move elsewhere, or your bank account number? If you have a pension or stocks and bonds, are you going to remember the account numbers? Your employer's computer systems may have been damaged.

Before a disaster strikes your community, prepare now! You may not have much warning.

The Financial Overview Template© is a simple form to complete online, listing all of your financial information. This includes details on your bank accounts, insurance policies, retirement accounts and much more. You can do this a little each day, if that helps.  Doing this helps you feel secure that you have all the information in one place. It also helps a spouse or other family member if something happens to you. Lastly, in the event of a disaster, with a hard copy printed out in case there is no electricity for the computer,  you are more prepared.

(Put the hard copy in plastic page protectors, in a notebook, along with hard copies of all your licenses, birth and marriage certificates, first pages of your passport,  military records, diplomas, house deed and car title. Put this all in a sealed plastic bag, and it will be easy to grab in the event of a disaster.)

The Financial Overview Template © can easily be updated online, so the information stays current. (Password protect the page for extra security, or print out the template and fill it in by hand if you prefer.) Should you or your family experience disaster, you will be so thankful you had the foresight to have this information in writing, in one place!

No-one wants a disaster to happen. However, it is always better to be prepared - and that includes getting your financial affairs organized. Do it the easy way: use the Financial Overview Template!