Death is not the only scenario, former procrastinators, in which we need critical documents ready for access. I’ve told my husband he just has to be in the hospital or caught out of town for me to feel high, dry, and ignorant.
Even though he has an extensive filing system which I use, and even though he keeps me apprised of information, we need a complete compilation of all the documents needed in case of emergency. This would also be an enormous assist to our children or anyone helping us.
This might come under the heading “Things I Need to Do but Don’t Want To.” I really want them to be done – I just don’t want to do them. This month we’re looking three such tasks right in the face. We’re tackling them at our house. I hope you will too.
First is getting household documents in order. That means in hand, complete, stored where they should be, with appropriate people notified.
A government site that provides guidance is https://www.fema.gov/news-release/2015/11/18/keep-your-important-documents-safe-disaster. For other helpful sites, type “Emergency documents” into your search engine. Two workbooks that will guide you are “Blueprint for Your Family Finances” and “Set Your House in Order,” both by Crown Ministries. If you’ve already done this, great! Check to make updates.
“The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.” Proverbs 22:3 (ESV) Joseph illustrates this truth. It’s wisdom to prepare in advance; otherwise we suffer and regret.
Hospitalization, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, etc. Emergency situations come upon us suddenly. Under pressure, we don’t think as clearly or quickly as we ought. Having a notebook or packet ready to grab insures essential items are in hand. We have freedom to act immediately.
Not doing this will not protect us from needing these documents. We do what needs doing when it needs doing. Gathering critical documents needs to be done before the need to have them arises.
What sites will you use for guidance, and where will you store your documents?
Hi Beth, your topic is very timely – i have been working on an “emergency binder” while i have had time off these last couple of months. i have found a couple websites on pinterest that have been good guides.
https://www.oakhillhomestead.com/2019/03/how-to-make-emergency-grab-and-go-binder.html
a red binder has been serving as the collection point for all of the documents i’ve gathered. my husband is very thankful as he doesn’t like the filing system i use. the binder has everything together with dividers for different topics (phone numbers, account numbers, etc). Thanks for such practical advice and encouragement!
Fantastic, Susan! Your example and additional links will help us all. Thanks so much!