EMERGENCY - DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR INFORMATION IS?

One of the things I have been working on over the past few years is keeping a running log of important family information (I actually started writing this blog entry months ago and put it on the back-burner until I had accomplish more of this task myself) .  

If you disappeared tomorrow - would someone be able to walk in and know how to manage your affairs and your family?

A binder, a pretty photo album with pockets to slide 4x 6 cards into, a school notebook, whatever works best for your style would work.  The key is to choose a system and begin compiling all your information into one simple to access area.

I recently began using a new tool called My Life Locker and it is available in book form or in electronic version for both Canadian and US   http://www.mylifelocker.com/About_My_Life_Locker.html .   For me, having a ready made tool saves me brain power and helps me to "just get on with it" and... the good part is, it was developed in my home town - a lucky happenstance!!!

When building your binder, here are a few things you could consider adding

•  a list of phone numbers...doctors, who sees them and what they specialize in.
• a page with banking information - account numbers, what the bank is and the address,
•  investment accounts and contact information
• a page with a running summary of each of the kids medical information - we have some complicated issues in our family so we have surgeries listed, hospitals, specialists and the dates.   Immunizations are also listed*
• a page that lists family members, 
• where the wills can be found 
• life insurance information (Policy #'s Companies, beneficiaries and the value)
• a page with the pets information
• a page with your most important friends - who to call if something tragic were to happen
• your mortgage information
• passwords to all your online accounts
• anything that would be relevant to anyone trying to manage your affairs if you were incapacitated or worse.

Start planning what you will want to leave for your family and loved ones to help them piece together your life.  If you have ever had to manage someones estate, you already know how helpful it would have been to have all the information in one handy document - if you have never had this difficult job, trust me on this....it helps enormously saving both stress and time.

Try taking 10 minutes each day over the next few weeks to start building your Family / Life  information binder.