Victory Homemaking: Emergency Binder

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Emergency Binder

Organization is not one of my strong points. I admit it. I've watched TV shows like Martha Stewart and have been mesmerized by all the cubby-holes, shelves with items neatly lined up and labelled, etc. I love the way it all looks and dream that someday, I too, could have that level of organization. You too?

Although organization might be one of my challenges, I definitely work better and have a rosier outlook when everything has its place and everything is in its place.
In light of the earthquakes and resulting tsunami in Japan, we are realizing how important it is to have all of our important documents safely stored away...all in one place.

The first thing that emergency preparedness experts agree on is the importantce that your ORIGINAL documents are stored in a place that would be safe from fire or water damage, such as a safe deposit box at your local bank. COPIES of those documents should be given to family member or close friend for safekeeping.

If you wish to keep a binder for yourself, too, it should be somewhere where you can easily access it in case of an emergency...
To create your binder for all your important papers you'll need:

1 or 2-3" binders
Page protectors
Dividers
Copies of your documents

Section 1: Emergency Contact List - Names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses or family, friends, business associates, etc.

Section 2: Family

Copies of Birth, Marriage, Adoption Certificates; Divorce Decree; Citizenship documents
Color copies of Drivers Licenses and Passports
Copies of Social Security cards and Military service records
Current family photo(s)

Section 3: Education- Copies of Diplomas and transcripts

Section 4: Employment

Resume
Employment information/contacts
Wage statement or copy of recent pay stub
Retirement/pension plan/profit sharing information
Social Security Annual Statement
If self-employed: Copies of business license; Federal Tax ID #; Articles of Incorporation

Section 5: Vehicles (Automobiles, RV's, Boats, etc.)

Spare set of keys for each vehicle
Copy of insurance policy/insurance card for each vehicle
Copy of any loan documents pertaining to those vehicles
Copy of Title
Warranty and repair information
Color photographs of each vehicle

Section 6: Estate Planning

Revocable Living Trust and Will
Powers of Attorney for financial and health care
Final instructions
Information and contracts regarding prepaid fees to cemetaries/funeral homes

Section 7: Financial

Bank name and account numbers (deposit slips, business cards)
Credit card information including account numbers, phone number to call in case lost or stolen, photocopy of card(s)
Investment information: Stock/bond certificates, mutual fund account information, IRA's/SEP's, Annuity contracts, Certificates of Deposit (CD's)
Safe Deposit Box location, box number and inventory of contents
Tax Returns (last three years)

Section 8: Home