BF got hurt really badly the other day, and it shook me up to think that he came that close to ending up in the hospital, with cuts, bruises, stitches and who knows what. In the end, he ended up only with a massive, purply bruise on his thigh, numerous little black bruises all over his legs, cuts and scrapes. I told him shakily that I was really happy he was okay, but it got me thinking:
How many of y’all have Emergency Documents prepared?
I sure as hell don’t didn’t.
Once I start getting more cash, and have more assets to my name, I’m going to go to a lawyer and formally draw up a will just so I have one just in case.
Before, all I had was debt, but now I am in the positive net worth and I AM going to be debt free by November as planned (I’ve decided to clear my debt completely, because it’ll give me enough cash to live for about 10 months in an emergency fund).
I immediately set to work making an Emergency Document that basically states information about my family, my medical history and other known problems (allergies, etc), my medications. Most importantly, I’ve included my financial information including bank account numbers (no passwords yet, am figuring out how to disclose my password without disclosing it completely), with a list of bills that have to be paid and on what dates.
The other thing on my list is to set up a will to bequeath everything to my family in case I die. And to make a note in there that I firmly want to be an Organ Donor (I won’t need them when I’m dead), my wish for my remains to be cremated and have my ashes scattered, and any other final quirky wishes, like maybe a grave marker somewhere but no body.
My other note to everyone is: PLEASE make sure you think about doing a document like this because if something happened to you and you were incapacitated, you want your loved ones to be able to help you run your life at the bare minimum so that you don’t wake up to a mess of credit score trouble and overdue payment letters clogging your mailbox/inbox.
It’s something you (and I) don’t really want to think about, but burying your head in the sand and ignoring reality is NOT the way to make things easier for you or on your family.
Here’s a mini template of what you should consider putting in your Emergency Information Sheet (I’ve taken it from what I’ve just created), but I am going to ask for all and any help on anything else I should include on this document.
Family Details (Mother, Father, Siblings)
– Full Name
– Addresses
– Telephone #
– Mobile #
– Email AddressesMedical Information
– Doctor’s Name
– Doctor’s Address
– Doctor’s Telephone #Medical History
– When I last had a checkup, etc
– Any known allergies
– Family history (Cancer and what types, Diabetes, etc)
– I ought to know my blood type but I don’t. I’m guessing it’s O + like everyone else
– Medical conditions (asthma)
– Any medication I’m taking
– Any surgeries I’ve hadOptometrist Information
– Doctor’s Name
– Doctor’s Address
– Doctor’s Telephone #Optometrist History
– When I last had a Checkup
– Results of that Checkup
– Any possible problems
– Any surgeries I hadDentist Information
– Dentist’s Name
– Dentist’s Address
– Dentist’s Telephone #Dentist History
– When I last had a Checkup
– Results of that Checkup
– Any possible problems
– Any surgeries I hadFinancial Information
– Bank Account Numbers / Purpose / Password
– Investments / Assets
– Debts
– Bills to be paid regularly and their dates
– Credit Cards and their balances (if any)
That’s all I’ve got so far.
Just a girl trying to find a balance between being a Shopaholic and a Saver.
I cleared $60,000 in 18 months earning $65,000 gross/year.
Now I am self-employed, and you can read more about 
Lots of info here: http://www.getrichslowly.org/blog/2010/05/26/inst…
Thanks for the link!
Great post! I think it is exceptionally important to have some things in place – contact info in wallet, at work, at home, will etc.
Thanks for the reminder!
wow you are so smart FB! thanks for this!! I am so going to do this !
I’m just wondering – where are you going to put this document? Are you going to give to your BF or a family member?
it’s a good list, although i am confused how you have a regular doctor but not know your blood type. call them up and ask!! also, you should have this stuff in your wallet (emergency contact, blood type, allergies to medication).
as everybody has stated, advanced directive and how you want your funeral. i thought i had discussed everything possible before my mom passed away. but when it came time for her funeral, i was left clueless! i knew she wanted to be buried in the ground (no cremation), but beyond that i had no idea. knowing my family’s superstitions, i know they would not let me be cremated and/or donate my organs. so these things definitely have to be put in writing so that they can be enforced. and you have to pick someone to handle all this stuff (conservator??) who you trust will respect your wishes, not just do what would be best for you in their opinion.
Hi there-very well done to turn a bad situation to good. hope the bf is recovering well and your list is great.
I work in a Law Firm and we always tell our clients to have a will when they start earning money.
Thanks for the great post. I have my will done and its in a safe place and I have almost everything in your list done.
I have not thought about the living will situation. i.e. who will decide what if I am unable to.
Thanks for the reminder.
I have to do a check list before i leave to Italy
I love how these stupid telemarketers call you asking for debt consolidation advice and I’m just like, ‘how can I get rid of debt and I can’t even find a job?’
I got a speeding ticket and now I have to sell my precious laptop to pay the bill. If there’s one thing that I’ve learned in the twenty nine years that I’ve lived on earth is that life isn’t fair.
But like you, I’ve just myself to take care of but I really hope that the U.S. is not headed toward a Depression. I would LOVE to be debt free like you but there are NO jobs where I live, we now have a mice problem and people live paycheck to paycheck.
As far as your boyfriend, thank God he’s young. In Canada, you get free healthcare but here in the U.S., you have to pay for it and if the jobs are low-paying, then you don’t get health-care.
I don’t even have the gas to go out anymore. For me, if by luck, I get my hands on an extra $5, I consider myself rich. You’re very very lucky NOT to have to live here. Used to be a time when I wouldn’t have thought that but this country is headed toward the toilet.
Thanks for the advice, though!
You know, I started something like this but never finished it. It was on the same page as creating a will – got partway through and stopped.
Have really got to finish putting it together. It’ll likely be easier once I get through scanning and discarding unneeded documents and accounts.
One thing I need to check is if I can work with the institutions for which I have passwords. Perhaps we can set up an alternate “caregiver” password to be used in the event of your incapacity or death. I don’t know if such a thing can be done, but I’m going to look into it so that I can include instructions in my list.
Make a list of the things you need if you have to evacuate. The things that were forgotten seem so obvious in retrospect.
A list of things that you want to take (pictures, hard drives) and the things you need (medicines, tampons) would have been a life-saver last week.
While you’re at it, you should think about an advance directive. It’s a document that tells people what to do in the even that you are not able to make medical decisions on your own, like if you’re in a vegetative state. Laws may be different in Canada, but in the US, go to http://www.caringinfo.org for each state’s directive. Also, you can do your own will on the cheap.
Pet information: don’t forget about your beloved pet. Who will take care of Fido if you can’t?
I know you said “will” – made me think of who you are going to have administer this paperwork. If you are incapacitated for any period of time, you may want to establish a conservator to pay your bills for you (like someone in your family?), instead of some random someone. That may be a thing they ask you if you’re having that will paperwork drawn up, though.
Also if you do get hurt, they’re going to have to let your employer know.
Sorry to hear that BF was injured, but glad he is doing ok. Great advice on emergency doc prep.
This is so important. My dad got very sick earlier this year. One day he was fine, the next he was in the hospital for over a month, then was home with hospice, and he passed away several months later. He had Parkinson’s along with Dementia. The Dementia hit him so suddenly. Not only did he not have his paperwork in order, he now had dementia and wasn’t in his right mind. My mom ended up in court because the state took over his care since he had not prepared for this – and that was such a very bad thing. My mom had no say in where he was put or what happened to him. Him being sick was bad enough – but the mess of it all because he wasn’t prepared, hadn’t set up any directives for care or made financial arrangements, is still hurting the family. You never know what will happen nor when. Be prepared.
Hey this is a great post, it’s helpful to be reminded to do this sort of thing.
You should also compile a living will and choose your executors. If you get in an accident and fall into a coma or become a vegetable, etc. this document will dictate what should be done for you while you’re in that state, and whether you want them to keep you going or pull the plug.
A living will (aka: medical power of attorney or durable power of attorney) – document that (1) appoints a person to make medical decisions for you in case you are incapable of doing so (i.e.: live on machine, be tube fed, etc.) and/or (2) expresses your wishes with respect to treatment if you are in a persistent vegetative state and/or end stage terminal condition. In addition to keeping a copy of this with your important papers, give one to the person you’ve appointed (called your healthcare power of attorney) and one to your doctor to put in your medical file.
It may not pertain to you, but I think additional notes on how to handle special accounts, people, events, etc. in your life is good to have.
While I don't have emergency documents made up, I do have a course of action for my "baby," (aka my cat). In the event that I'm seriously hurt or worse, I have arranged to have her taken care of by the faux beau indefinitely.
In the event someone has a child, I think it's necessary to include additional information what is to happen with the children in the event that say both parents are seriously injured in a car accident– the last thing the children need is the stress of grandparents, family friends, aunts & uncles, all fighting over them.
What about who has the right to make your medical decisions if you can’t? (And ask this person if that is ok with them.) Your own wishes about medical treatmeant.