When most people plan for their family’s financial future, they focus on their dreams and aspirations. However, financial planning goes beyond investments, education, and retirement savings. Being prepared for unexpected life events is just as important.  

Getting Started

Having a set plan can help alleviate unnecessary stress, panic, anxiety, or uncertainty in an emergency. Getting started can be overwhelming. It's helpful to have a comprehensive checklist that centralizes and organizes all crucial information, not just financial. Our Family Preparedness Kit is specifically designed to make this process easier. It provides a structured approach to gathering and storing essential details to prepare you for any situation. Please note, you do not have to complete the entire kit, but the information outlined in it should be stored somewhere.  

Below are some of the key areas our kit covers to help you and your family stay organized and secure: 

1. Personal Information: Details about family members, emergency contacts, and professionals involved in the family's care.
2. Essential Documents: Locations and copies of vital records like birth certificates, passports, military documents, estate documents, and property deeds.
3. Medical Information: Health-related data, including insurance details, medical conditions, prescriptions and provider contacts.
4. Financial Information: Banking information, credit card details, investment accounts, insurance policies, trust documentation, and retirement plans.
5. Digital Information: Online accounts, passwords, and access details for social media, subscriptions, and digital devices.
6. Family Legacy and Final Arrangements: Personal wishes and plans for end-of-life arrangements, including funeral preferences and legacy information.

What Else Can I Do? 

While organizing vital documents is crucial, comprehensive family preparedness involves more than paperwork. To be truly ready for life's unexpected events, it's essential to have a clear action plan in place for emergencies. Here are a few tips to help you take the next steps. 

• Create an Emergency Response Plan
  Be sure to have a clear emergency response plan that includes evacuation routes, meeting points, and communication strategies in case of a natural disaster or other urgent situations. 

• Build an Emergency Kit
  Make sure your household has a well-stocked emergency kit with essentials such as first-aid supplies, non-perishable food, water, flashlights, and any necessary medications. The Red Cross List of Survival Kit Supplies provides a more comprehensive overview with additional suggestions that can help. 

• Review Your Insurance Coverage
  Check your insurance policies and ensure they provide adequate protection for your home, health, and belongings in the event of an unexpected disaster or emergency. 

• Family Communication Plan
  Discuss a family communication plan that details how you will stay in contact in an emergency. Be sure that everyone in your household knows what steps to take in case phones, electricity, or other services are unavailable. 

Keep Your Plan Current with Regular Reviews and Updates 

Creating a preparedness plan is a great first step, but ensuring it stays relevant is just as important. Major life events like getting married, having children, buying a home, or changing careers can significantly impact your financial situation and preparedness needs. That’s why it’s essential to revisit and update your plan at least once a year, or anytime there are significant changes in your life.  

Regularly reviewing your plan ensures it evolves alongside your circumstances, giving you peace of mind knowing your family’s financial security and emergency preparedness are always up to date. 

Start Planning Today and Be Ready for Tomorrow 

By taking advantage of our Family Preparedness Kit, you can go beyond just financial security and ensure that your family is ready for whatever life throws your way. Our kit simplifies this process, so you can take the first step toward securing your family’s future today.

Download the kit now and start planning for a safer tomorrow. 

Johnathon Opet, CFP® is a financial advisor located at EmVision Capital Advisors, 251 W. Garfield Rd. ​Suite 155 Aurora, OH 44202. He offers securities and advisory services as an Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. He can be reached at (330) 954-3770 or at info@emvisioncapital.com.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services are separate from and not offered through Commonwealth.