Monday November 24, 2008 - Family & Money: Where's the Important Stuff
Thanksgiving is the holiday where families try to get together and it’s National Family week as well.
So it seemed an opportune time to talk about families and money, which is not an easy subject to bring up. Many families would rather talk about football.
Let’s start with the simple stuff. Where are all the important papers of your life? I know I have talked about this before but it is important. If something should happen to you do your children, your parents, your spouse, your partner, or your sister know where all the important stuff is kept?
This is not just a problem for the elderly. Having someone in your life that can access your important stuff is crucial at every age. And is the important stuff organized and filed so they can find it? You don’t want them to have to ransack your home looking for your important papers.
What about a list of the important people and their phone numbers and addresses. For example, you live in Massachusetts and your son lives in NY. If something should happen to him do you have his friends’ phone numbers, his next-door neighbor’s number? A list of the important people in his life. His doctor? Does he have that information for you? You may never need it, but and buts are always big, if it’s ever needed……..
Now consider what would happen if you became ill in NY while visiting this week for Thanksgiving and needed someone here in Massachusetts to find your important documents. Could you tell them exactly where to find them? Could they pay the bills while you convalesced in NY?
Have you done your estate planning? A recent survey finds that only 40% of Americans have wills. If you don’t have a will the state you reside in when you die has one for you. Do you have a Durable Power of Attorney and have you signed a Health Care Proxy? These are important documents. A health care proxy allows someone to make medical decisions for you if you are not able to make those decisions.
They have Tupperware parties why not Health Care Proxy parties! Once you have these documents let the important people in your life know where you keep them.
One more thing:
Just mention Terri Schiavo and you get a reaction from people. The Florida Supreme Court got involved, the Governor of Florida and the President. Do you want these people messing in your life and telling your family what to do?
Check out my website www.deelee.net and download the worksheet Document Locator.
Helping Hands Of America
DONATE YOUR CAR OR BOAT TODAY TO A LOCAL CHARITY! YOU CAN HELP A GREAT CAUSE RIGHT HERE IN NEW ENGLAND AND IT’S 100
PERCENT TAX DEDUCTIBILE TOO. CALL HELPING HANDS TODAY TO
SCHEDULE A PICK UP AT YOUR HOME…1-888-881-9-0-9-0 (NINE OH, NINE OH).
WBZ NewsRadio 1030 has been broadcasting to New Englanders for more than 80 years. WBZ is New England's and Boston�s most reliable source for the latest Boston news, Boston weather and Boston traffic. Listen on air, online and on demand to award-winning evening talk show host Jordan Rich. WBZ is the flagship radio station of the Boston Bruins Radio Network and a leader in community involvement, with Boston events including the WBZ Business Breakfast Series, the annual WBZ Children's Hospital Boston RadioThon, WBZ Call for Action, WBZ StormCenter and Amber Alert. www.wbz1030.com
E-Mail Story
Print Story
