Faith-Based Finances:
Get Organized

$tart a Financial Notebook

A financial notebook is:

  • A blueprint of your finances.
  • A road map for your loved ones in case something happens to you.
  • The one binder you grab as you’re running out of your house in case of a natural disaster.
  • A complication of all your important financial information – including contacts, account numbers, proof of identification, location of important documents, burial instructions inventories, and more.

Overview of Financial Notebook

A financial notebook is your personal financial blueprint.  It’s a road map for loved ones – in case you are seriously ill, are injured, or die – saving them countless hours trying to figure out your financial affairs.  Keep it in a safe place, such as a fire-resistant box at home.  Here are some of the items (copies, not originals) you may wish to include in your financial notebook.

Account information

  • Bank or credit union account numbers and contact information
  • Brokerage account numbers and contact information
  • Financial advisers and contact information of agent and company

Estate planning/legal documents

  • Wills, trusts
  • Advance directives
  • Powers of attorney
  • Letters of instruction funeral instructions

Family information

  • Family members and contact information
  • Education records
  • Employment records

Financial documents

  • Cash-flow statement
  • Net-worth statement
  • Spending plan (budget)
  • Loans
  • Tax records, including copies of tax returns

Insurance and health records

  • Copies of all policies (agent name, company, contact information for auto, homeowners/renters, health, life, disability, long-term care)

Inventories

  • Personal property/household inventory
  • Safe deposit box contents
  • Wallet contents

Personal records

  • Certificates: birth, adoption, citizenship, marriage, divorce, death
  • Financial goals
  • Location of important documents

Property records

  • Vehicles
  • Real estate
  • Investments (stocks, mutual funds, bonds, other investments)

Retirement planning documents

  • Pension benefit statements
  • Social Security Earnings and Benefits Estimate Statements (review for accuracy)
  • Tax-deferred and individual retirement plan (IRAs)

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