A household management binder is a system of organizing important information in a consolidated and accessible format. Information like insurance policies, phone numbers and addresses, medical histories, email accounts and passwords, open lines of credit, etc.
The Household Management Binder is not a filing system per se (although you could certainly adapt the project to make it that if that's what you needed it to be), but more of a directory or database of information. It's a system to help you stay organized in the day-to-day management of your household, as well as in the event of an emergency.
GETTING STARTED
To make a household management binder, use a 3-ring binder and dividers labeled with section headings. Type up the information you need, print it out, and store it in your binder.
For example, you won't have your actual credit card in the binder, but you'll have a document detailing the issuing bank, the payment address, your online username/password, and the phone number to call in the event the card is stolen. And you'll have other things, too, like directories of all the contractors and utility providers you use, medical histories, a schedule of when your bills are due each month, a list of all open accounts in your name, etc. The binder will be a home for the information you use on a daily basis, as well as the information you'll need in the event of an emergency.
First, identify the purpose of your binder. How will you use it? What will you use it for? You may want your binder to hold information you'll need for emergencies only, or, you may want it to also include directories, menu plans, cleaning schedules, and other documents that will help you manage your life not just in an emergency, but every day.
When creating my binder, I had three objectives: 1) to consolidate information that would help me to better manage my household on a day-to-day basis; 2) to make that information available to someone other than myself who would have to take over the management of my household; and 3) to centralize all the critical information I would need to piece my life back together in the event of a major catastrophe such as a house fire or death in the family.
What will you use your binder for? What information do you use frequently that could be accessed more readily if it were all in one place? If you suffered a major life change like divorce, death, or house fire, what information would you need to have all in one place?
Second, determine what information to add. When deciding what to add to your binder, ask yourself if what you want to add is consistent with your binder's purpose and your organizational objectives. If it's not, don't include it.
Third, ask yourself where you'll keep your binder. Where you plan on storing your binder is a good indicator of how you'll use it. Knowing that will help you better tailor the project to your needs.
For example, I use my binder on a daily basis, so it sits on the desk in my front hallway near the phone and family calendar and right by the door (so I could grab it on my way out in an emergency). Because I keep it out, I do not include sensitive information in the binder. For instance, in my Credit Card section, I include the phone number for the credit card company, but not the actual card account number. You'll want to keep the placement of your binder in mind when deciding what information to include and what not to include.
The important thing to remember is that this is your binder. It should meet your needs and fit your lifestyle. Include the information that you'll use and that will be helpful to you. Make the binder into whatever you need it to be.
For example, you won't have your actual credit card in the binder, but you'll have a document detailing the issuing bank, the payment address, your online username/password, and the phone number to call in the event the card is stolen. And you'll have other things, too, like directories of all the contractors and utility providers you use, medical histories, a schedule of when your bills are due each month, a list of all open accounts in your name, etc. The binder will be a home for the information you use on a daily basis, as well as the information you'll need in the event of an emergency.
First, identify the purpose of your binder. How will you use it? What will you use it for? You may want your binder to hold information you'll need for emergencies only, or, you may want it to also include directories, menu plans, cleaning schedules, and other documents that will help you manage your life not just in an emergency, but every day.
When creating my binder, I had three objectives: 1) to consolidate information that would help me to better manage my household on a day-to-day basis; 2) to make that information available to someone other than myself who would have to take over the management of my household; and 3) to centralize all the critical information I would need to piece my life back together in the event of a major catastrophe such as a house fire or death in the family.
What will you use your binder for? What information do you use frequently that could be accessed more readily if it were all in one place? If you suffered a major life change like divorce, death, or house fire, what information would you need to have all in one place?
Second, determine what information to add. When deciding what to add to your binder, ask yourself if what you want to add is consistent with your binder's purpose and your organizational objectives. If it's not, don't include it.
Third, ask yourself where you'll keep your binder. Where you plan on storing your binder is a good indicator of how you'll use it. Knowing that will help you better tailor the project to your needs.
For example, I use my binder on a daily basis, so it sits on the desk in my front hallway near the phone and family calendar and right by the door (so I could grab it on my way out in an emergency). Because I keep it out, I do not include sensitive information in the binder. For instance, in my Credit Card section, I include the phone number for the credit card company, but not the actual card account number. You'll want to keep the placement of your binder in mind when deciding what information to include and what not to include.
The important thing to remember is that this is your binder. It should meet your needs and fit your lifestyle. Include the information that you'll use and that will be helpful to you. Make the binder into whatever you need it to be.
WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BINDER
To customize your own binder, review the ideas below and select those that best serve your binder's purpose. Re-arrange the categories to best meet your needs. Remember that the ideas listed here include information for emergencies and day-to-day household management. If you are interested in an emergencies-only binder, see HERE. For some of the documents, I have provided a template. See links.
A friend of mine, Christina Smith, recently introduced me to a site called Organized Home. They recommend what they call a "Household Notebook," which is very similar to my system. They have some wonderful free printable forms, as well as some additional ideas for what to include in a notebook of this kind and I highly recommend checking it out.
INTRODUCTION
Binder objectives (list the purpose and function of the binder)
Index/table of contents
Directory of oft-referenced numbers and addresses
Contact info for people who have keys to your home
Meeting location in event of emergency
Out-of-state contacts in an emergency
List and location of items to grab in an emergency
Where to find 72-hour kits and emergency food and water supplies
Alarm company phone number
Clergy name and phone
Locations of the following: gas shut-off, fire extinguisher, water main, emergency water supply, 72-hour kits, neighbors' water and gas shut-offs
Print-out of your email contacts list
Print-out of your cell phone contacts list
FAMILY LIFE
Family home evening schedule
Family goals
Family rules
Family budget/financial goals
Family food storage plan
School calendars
Sports/extracurricular activity calendars
Funeral arrangements/who is to get what/personal wishes
Letters to your children/loved ones to-be-opened-in-event-of-death
Birthday list
Family traditions
Directory of family & friends (blogs, addresses, emails, phones)
Schedules and routines
Calendar of annual events of interest
Who to notify in the event of an emergency
Names, dates of birth, SSNs, and places of birth for all household members
Work and school contact information
Self and spouse's parents' full names and current status (i.e. dead or living)
Emergency authorization form for a caregiver
Elder care information
House sitter information (e.g. alarm code, keys, contact person, how to shut-off gas or water)
LEGAL & FINANCIAL
Open accounts (credit, store, email, blogs, loans, memberships, etc.)
Where to find the following: wills, trusts, living wills, power of attorney docs, pre-nuptial agreement, marriage license, social security cards, citizenship papers, birth certificates, adoption papers, custody agreement, divorce/settlement agreements, education credentials, military papers, death certificates, personal wishes/funeral arrangements, insurance policies (life, health, auto, home), safe deposit box key, credit cards, stocks/bonds/securities, real estate papers, checkbooks, tax records, passports, medical/dental files, immunization records, financial records (for the aforementioned docs, include doc dates, who prepared by, location of original, where copies are located, and who the executors are)
Passport information (include expiration date)
Social security card information (name, number, location of original)
Driver's license inf (name, number, expiration date, etc.)
Real estate deeds/purchase agreements
Automobile docs
Contracts (e.g. home, employment, business, school)
People to notify in the event of death
Insurance policies (home, auto, life, rental, valuables, health, dental, life, disability, liability, pet, long-term care, mortgage)
Insurance agents' contact information
Bank contact information
Bank account information (type of account, account number, names on accounts, online access information)
Financial advisor/CPA's contact info
Loan info
Safety deposit box information
Stocks/bonds/securities/IRA/mutual funds (name of institution, address, phone number, type of investment, name on account, account number, online access information, websites)
Mortgage (type, purchase amount, mortgagor contact info, loan number, deed and deed location)
Valuable personal property (type, description, approximate value, appraisals, date purchased, purchase amount, location)
401K/pension/retirement accounts
Real estate holdings
Credit cards (don't put account numbers, just card name, issuing bank, payment address, Internet account username/password & phone numbers)
Debts/loans (institution contact info, amount owed, current balance, etc.)
Lawyer's contact info
Family budget/financial goals
Record of expenses/pocket folder for receipts
Calendar detailing on which days of the month different bills are due
CHURCH
Congregation directory
Local and area leadership directory
Church building addresses and phone numbers
Temple address and phone number
Temple hours
Area mission home contact information
Church service assignments
Church website (url and username/password)
HEALTH
Family members' names, blood types, medical histories
Health care providers' contact information
Insurance plans
Area hospital and urgent care center information
Immunization records
Pharmacy information
Essential prescriptions
Allergies
COMMUNITY
Community directory (government services, local businesses, etc.)
County directory and information
Homeowners' association
Neighbor directory
School contact info
Parks and recreation
Public transportation
Area attractions
Shopping malls
Stores and businesses
HOME
Homeowners' association
Contractors (housekeeper, nanny, babysitter, dog walker/sitter, gardener, handyman, pool maintenance, electrician, plumber, heating & AC, gas, electric, water, cable, trash, painter, carpenter, pest control, home warranty company, computer technician, decorator, doorman and super, alarm service, cleaning services)
Repair and maintenance log for home
Cleaning schedule
Seasonal home and belongings maintenance
Replaceables information (e.g. light bulbs, furnace filters, etc.; include brand, type, etc.)
Utility and service providers (e.g. gas, electric, phone, etc.)
Household appliances (serial and model numbers, warranties, installation dates)
Automobiles (service histories, insurance policies, repair and maintenance records, VIN and license plate numbers, auto loan info)
How to shut-off gas, water, alarm system
Where to find the GFI, circuit box, water and gas shut-offs, etc.
Care instructions for anything requiring special attention (e.g. furniture, granite counter tops)
List/DVD of possessions and furniture in home
MEAL PLANNING
Monthly menu
Grocery lists
Special occasion menus
Kid-friendly recipes (meals your kids will eat)
Meal-to-be-delivered plan (if you take meals to people regularly, it's nice to have a go-to meal plan you can whip up in a hurry)
This list is a compilation of my own work and information provided by the U.S. State Department, Operation Hope, Inc., and Buttoned Up.
As you create your binder, be sure to save all of your Household Management Binder documents on your computer, in addition to printing them out for your binder.
To guard against computer failure--and also to make the information in your binder accessible to you even when the binder is not--email the electronic versions of your documents to yourself. That way, no matter where you are, no matter what may happen to your hard copies, as long as you have an Internet connection, you have access to all your information. Just be mindful not to include anything that could cause you trouble if someone were to hack into either your email account or your computer.
A friend of mine, Christina Smith, recently introduced me to a site called Organized Home. They recommend what they call a "Household Notebook," which is very similar to my system. They have some wonderful free printable forms, as well as some additional ideas for what to include in a notebook of this kind and I highly recommend checking it out.
INTRODUCTION
Binder objectives (list the purpose and function of the binder)
Index/table of contents
Directory of oft-referenced numbers and addresses
Contact info for people who have keys to your home
Meeting location in event of emergency
Out-of-state contacts in an emergency
List and location of items to grab in an emergency
Where to find 72-hour kits and emergency food and water supplies
Alarm company phone number
Clergy name and phone
Locations of the following: gas shut-off, fire extinguisher, water main, emergency water supply, 72-hour kits, neighbors' water and gas shut-offs
Print-out of your email contacts list
Print-out of your cell phone contacts list
FAMILY LIFE
Family home evening schedule
Family goals
Family rules
Family budget/financial goals
Family food storage plan
School calendars
Sports/extracurricular activity calendars
Funeral arrangements/who is to get what/personal wishes
Letters to your children/loved ones to-be-opened-in-event-of-death
Birthday list
Family traditions
Directory of family & friends (blogs, addresses, emails, phones)
Schedules and routines
Calendar of annual events of interest
Who to notify in the event of an emergency
Names, dates of birth, SSNs, and places of birth for all household members
Work and school contact information
Self and spouse's parents' full names and current status (i.e. dead or living)
Emergency authorization form for a caregiver
Elder care information
House sitter information (e.g. alarm code, keys, contact person, how to shut-off gas or water)
LEGAL & FINANCIAL
Open accounts (credit, store, email, blogs, loans, memberships, etc.)
Where to find the following: wills, trusts, living wills, power of attorney docs, pre-nuptial agreement, marriage license, social security cards, citizenship papers, birth certificates, adoption papers, custody agreement, divorce/settlement agreements, education credentials, military papers, death certificates, personal wishes/funeral arrangements, insurance policies (life, health, auto, home), safe deposit box key, credit cards, stocks/bonds/securities, real estate papers, checkbooks, tax records, passports, medical/dental files, immunization records, financial records (for the aforementioned docs, include doc dates, who prepared by, location of original, where copies are located, and who the executors are)
Passport information (include expiration date)
Social security card information (name, number, location of original)
Driver's license inf (name, number, expiration date, etc.)
Real estate deeds/purchase agreements
Automobile docs
Contracts (e.g. home, employment, business, school)
People to notify in the event of death
Insurance policies (home, auto, life, rental, valuables, health, dental, life, disability, liability, pet, long-term care, mortgage)
Insurance agents' contact information
Bank contact information
Bank account information (type of account, account number, names on accounts, online access information)
Financial advisor/CPA's contact info
Loan info
Safety deposit box information
Stocks/bonds/securities/IRA/mutual funds (name of institution, address, phone number, type of investment, name on account, account number, online access information, websites)
Mortgage (type, purchase amount, mortgagor contact info, loan number, deed and deed location)
Valuable personal property (type, description, approximate value, appraisals, date purchased, purchase amount, location)
401K/pension/retirement accounts
Real estate holdings
Credit cards (don't put account numbers, just card name, issuing bank, payment address, Internet account username/password & phone numbers)
Debts/loans (institution contact info, amount owed, current balance, etc.)
Lawyer's contact info
Family budget/financial goals
Record of expenses/pocket folder for receipts
Calendar detailing on which days of the month different bills are due
CHURCH
Congregation directory
Local and area leadership directory
Church building addresses and phone numbers
Temple address and phone number
Temple hours
Area mission home contact information
Church service assignments
Church website (url and username/password)
HEALTH
Family members' names, blood types, medical histories
Health care providers' contact information
Insurance plans
Area hospital and urgent care center information
Immunization records
Pharmacy information
Essential prescriptions
Allergies
COMMUNITY
Community directory (government services, local businesses, etc.)
County directory and information
Homeowners' association
Neighbor directory
School contact info
Parks and recreation
Public transportation
Area attractions
Shopping malls
Stores and businesses
HOME
Homeowners' association
Contractors (housekeeper, nanny, babysitter, dog walker/sitter, gardener, handyman, pool maintenance, electrician, plumber, heating & AC, gas, electric, water, cable, trash, painter, carpenter, pest control, home warranty company, computer technician, decorator, doorman and super, alarm service, cleaning services)
Repair and maintenance log for home
Cleaning schedule
Seasonal home and belongings maintenance
Replaceables information (e.g. light bulbs, furnace filters, etc.; include brand, type, etc.)
Utility and service providers (e.g. gas, electric, phone, etc.)
Household appliances (serial and model numbers, warranties, installation dates)
Automobiles (service histories, insurance policies, repair and maintenance records, VIN and license plate numbers, auto loan info)
How to shut-off gas, water, alarm system
Where to find the GFI, circuit box, water and gas shut-offs, etc.
Care instructions for anything requiring special attention (e.g. furniture, granite counter tops)
List/DVD of possessions and furniture in home
MEAL PLANNING
Monthly menu
Grocery lists
Special occasion menus
Kid-friendly recipes (meals your kids will eat)
Meal-to-be-delivered plan (if you take meals to people regularly, it's nice to have a go-to meal plan you can whip up in a hurry)
This list is a compilation of my own work and information provided by the U.S. State Department, Operation Hope, Inc., and Buttoned Up.
As you create your binder, be sure to save all of your Household Management Binder documents on your computer, in addition to printing them out for your binder.
To guard against computer failure--and also to make the information in your binder accessible to you even when the binder is not--email the electronic versions of your documents to yourself. That way, no matter where you are, no matter what may happen to your hard copies, as long as you have an Internet connection, you have access to all your information. Just be mindful not to include anything that could cause you trouble if someone were to hack into either your email account or your computer.
EMERGENCIES-ONLY BINDER
You may decide to have an emergencies-only binder that you keep on-hand only for emergencies, not day-to-day use.
Here are some ideas of what you'd want to keep in that binder.
EMERGENCY PLAN
Name of people who have keys to your home
Meeting location in event of an emergency
Out-of-state contact person to call in event of emergency
List and location of items to grab in an emergency (e.g. photos)
Alarm phone
Locations of the following: gas shut-off; fire extinguisher; water main; emergency water; 72-hour kits; neighbors' water and gas shut-offs
Clergy name & phone
FAMILY BASICS
Names, date-of-birth, ssn, and place of birth for all members of household
Home address, phone numbers, fax numbers, cell numbers, emails
Work and school contact information
Personal histories of self & spouse with mothers' and fathers' full names and status
HEALTH
Family members' names and blood types
Primary care physician and specialists' names and contact information
Family members' medical histories
Immunization records
Health insurance information
Location of the following: Living Will; Power of ATtorney
Pharmacy contact information
Essential prescriptions
List of allergies
INSURANCE
Policy #s for home, auto, life, rental, valuables, health, dental, life, disability, liability, pet, long-term care, mortgage
Agents' contact information
List/DVD of possessions and furniture in home
FINANCIAL
Bank contact information
Bank account information (type of account, account number, names on accounts, online access information, etc.)
Financial advisor's contact information
CPA's contact information
Loan information
Stock broker/investment account information
Mutual funds
Safety deposit box(es) information
Stocks/Bonds/Securities/IRA (name of institution, address, phone number, type of investment, name on account, account number, online access information, website)
Mortgage (type, purchase amount, mortgager contact info, loan number, deed and deed location)
Valuable personal property (type, description, approximate value, appraisals, date purchased, purchase amount, location)
401K
Pension
Retirement accounts
Real Estate
Credit cards (don't put account numbers, just card name, issuing bank, payment address, internet account username/password & phone numbers)
Debts/Loans (institution contact info, amount owed, current balance, etc.)
LEGAL & RECORDS
Lawyer's contact information
Location of the following: wills, trusts, living wills, power of attorney docs, pre-nuptial agreement, marriage license, social security cards, citizenship papers, birth certificates, adoption papers, custody agreement, divorce/settlement agreements, education credentials, military papers, death certificates, personal wishes/funeral arrangements, insurance policies (life, health, auto, home), safe deposit box key, credit cards, stocks/bonds/securities, real estate papers, checkbooks, tax records, passports, medical/dental files, immunization records, financial records (for the aforementioned docs, include doc dates, who prepared by, location of original, where copies are located, and who the executors are)
Passport information (include expiration date)
Social security card information (name, number, location of original)
Drivers' license information (name, number, expiration date, etc.)
Real estate deeds/purchase agreements
Automobile docs
Lease docs
Contracts (e.g. home, employment, business, school)
People to notify in the event of death
CAREGIVER
Special needs and instructions
Emergency authorization form
Elder care information
Medical basics: blood type; doctor; specialists; allergies; pharmacy; medical history; medications/supplements
Key contacts (parents, neighbors, friends, grandparents, school teachers)
Location of the following: living will, power of attorney
House sitter information (e.g. alarm code, keys, contact person)
Location of the following: alarm phone number; gas shut-off; fire extinguisher; water main; emergency water and 72-hour kits
HOME
Housekeeper contact info
Nanny
Babysitter
Dog walker/Dog sitter
Gardener
Handyman
Pool Maintenance
Electrician
Plumber
Heating & AC
Gas
Electric
Water
Cable
Trash
Painter
Carpenter
Pest control
Home warranty company
Computer technician
Decorator
Doorman and super
Alarm service
Cleaning services (e.g. windows, carpets)
These lists are a combination of my own work and information provided by the U.S. State Department, Operation Hope, Inc. and Buttoned Up.
If you're looking for a ready-made solution to emergency doc prep, consider Buttoned Up, a company that offers ready-made emergency binders. You can check-out a whole host of organizational products and systems at the company's wesite http://www.getbuttonedup.com/ (Many thanks to Jana Farrell for telling me about the system and for typing up all that information!)
Here are some ideas of what you'd want to keep in that binder.
EMERGENCY PLAN
Name of people who have keys to your home
Meeting location in event of an emergency
Out-of-state contact person to call in event of emergency
List and location of items to grab in an emergency (e.g. photos)
Alarm phone
Locations of the following: gas shut-off; fire extinguisher; water main; emergency water; 72-hour kits; neighbors' water and gas shut-offs
Clergy name & phone
FAMILY BASICS
Names, date-of-birth, ssn, and place of birth for all members of household
Home address, phone numbers, fax numbers, cell numbers, emails
Work and school contact information
Personal histories of self & spouse with mothers' and fathers' full names and status
HEALTH
Family members' names and blood types
Primary care physician and specialists' names and contact information
Family members' medical histories
Immunization records
Health insurance information
Location of the following: Living Will; Power of ATtorney
Pharmacy contact information
Essential prescriptions
List of allergies
INSURANCE
Policy #s for home, auto, life, rental, valuables, health, dental, life, disability, liability, pet, long-term care, mortgage
Agents' contact information
List/DVD of possessions and furniture in home
FINANCIAL
Bank contact information
Bank account information (type of account, account number, names on accounts, online access information, etc.)
Financial advisor's contact information
CPA's contact information
Loan information
Stock broker/investment account information
Mutual funds
Safety deposit box(es) information
Stocks/Bonds/Securities/IRA (name of institution, address, phone number, type of investment, name on account, account number, online access information, website)
Mortgage (type, purchase amount, mortgager contact info, loan number, deed and deed location)
Valuable personal property (type, description, approximate value, appraisals, date purchased, purchase amount, location)
401K
Pension
Retirement accounts
Real Estate
Credit cards (don't put account numbers, just card name, issuing bank, payment address, internet account username/password & phone numbers)
Debts/Loans (institution contact info, amount owed, current balance, etc.)
LEGAL & RECORDS
Lawyer's contact information
Location of the following: wills, trusts, living wills, power of attorney docs, pre-nuptial agreement, marriage license, social security cards, citizenship papers, birth certificates, adoption papers, custody agreement, divorce/settlement agreements, education credentials, military papers, death certificates, personal wishes/funeral arrangements, insurance policies (life, health, auto, home), safe deposit box key, credit cards, stocks/bonds/securities, real estate papers, checkbooks, tax records, passports, medical/dental files, immunization records, financial records (for the aforementioned docs, include doc dates, who prepared by, location of original, where copies are located, and who the executors are)
Passport information (include expiration date)
Social security card information (name, number, location of original)
Drivers' license information (name, number, expiration date, etc.)
Real estate deeds/purchase agreements
Automobile docs
Lease docs
Contracts (e.g. home, employment, business, school)
People to notify in the event of death
CAREGIVER
Special needs and instructions
Emergency authorization form
Elder care information
Medical basics: blood type; doctor; specialists; allergies; pharmacy; medical history; medications/supplements
Key contacts (parents, neighbors, friends, grandparents, school teachers)
Location of the following: living will, power of attorney
House sitter information (e.g. alarm code, keys, contact person)
Location of the following: alarm phone number; gas shut-off; fire extinguisher; water main; emergency water and 72-hour kits
HOME
Housekeeper contact info
Nanny
Babysitter
Dog walker/Dog sitter
Gardener
Handyman
Pool Maintenance
Electrician
Plumber
Heating & AC
Gas
Electric
Water
Cable
Trash
Painter
Carpenter
Pest control
Home warranty company
Computer technician
Decorator
Doorman and super
Alarm service
Cleaning services (e.g. windows, carpets)
These lists are a combination of my own work and information provided by the U.S. State Department, Operation Hope, Inc. and Buttoned Up.
If you're looking for a ready-made solution to emergency doc prep, consider Buttoned Up, a company that offers ready-made emergency binders. You can check-out a whole host of organizational products and systems at the company's wesite http://www.getbuttonedup.com/ (Many thanks to Jana Farrell for telling me about the system and for typing up all that information!)
EMERGENCY FINANCIAL FIRST AID KIT (EFFAK)
My friend Anita McDonald introduced me to the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit (EFFAK), a system for storing and organizing docs in the event of an emergency. The system is recommended by the U.S. State Department, the U.S. Federal Reserve System, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
EFFAK was developed by John Bryant, the founder of Operation Hope, Inc, a non-profit that provides free financial recovery services to people affected by natural disasters and national emergencies.
You can get a free digital copy of the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit and the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide here.
The guides will help you identify and secure important documents and otherwise prepare yourself to avoid financial ruin in the event of an emergency.
For example, in an off-site safety deposit box, you should store the following: a copy of your EFFAK and all legal docs, photos of all valuables, and computer back-up disk of financial documents stored on computer (update quarterly).
At home in a fire-proof cabinet or safe, keep the following: your EFFAK and other documents in a water-proof bag, $10 and $20 bills (ATM and credit card access may not be available), a writing tablet and 2 sharpened pencils, a copy of your off-site safety deposit box key, and an extra copy of financial records from your computer back-up disk.
Within reach of your home fire-proof safe, have the following documents stored in a durable bag: AC charger for your mobile phone, AC adapter that can be plugged into car cigarette lighter, required prescription medications, battery-charged flashlight.
Make a copy of your EFFAK and legal documents and give to your attorney or executor.
EFFAK was developed by John Bryant, the founder of Operation Hope, Inc, a non-profit that provides free financial recovery services to people affected by natural disasters and national emergencies.
You can get a free digital copy of the Emergency Financial First Aid Kit and the Personal Disaster Preparedness Guide here.
The guides will help you identify and secure important documents and otherwise prepare yourself to avoid financial ruin in the event of an emergency.
For example, in an off-site safety deposit box, you should store the following: a copy of your EFFAK and all legal docs, photos of all valuables, and computer back-up disk of financial documents stored on computer (update quarterly).
At home in a fire-proof cabinet or safe, keep the following: your EFFAK and other documents in a water-proof bag, $10 and $20 bills (ATM and credit card access may not be available), a writing tablet and 2 sharpened pencils, a copy of your off-site safety deposit box key, and an extra copy of financial records from your computer back-up disk.
Within reach of your home fire-proof safe, have the following documents stored in a durable bag: AC charger for your mobile phone, AC adapter that can be plugged into car cigarette lighter, required prescription medications, battery-charged flashlight.
Make a copy of your EFFAK and legal documents and give to your attorney or executor.
SAMPLE BINDERS
I chose to personalize my Household Management Binder by designing a special cover, title page, and section dividers.
Above are the cover and section dividers for my first Household Management Binder from 2006. The sections are: Caring for the Home; Schedules & Routines; Meal Preparation; Life in Northern Virginia; Personal Information; and Contact Information.
Above are the front and back covers and section dividers for my current Household Management Binder. The binder has evolved over time to better fit my needs. My current binder sections are: Introduction; Home; Health; Family Life; Community; Church; and Meal Planning.
Above are the cover and section dividers for my first Household Management Binder from 2006. The sections are: Caring for the Home; Schedules & Routines; Meal Preparation; Life in Northern Virginia; Personal Information; and Contact Information.Above are the front and back covers and section dividers for my current Household Management Binder. The binder has evolved over time to better fit my needs. My current binder sections are: Introduction; Home; Health; Family Life; Community; Church; and Meal Planning.
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