Promotional Consultant Today

Return to Archive List

Peace Of Mind During Stressful Times
Consider how you'd feel if you lost everything in a natural disaster and had no proof of your assets, no access to your insurance paperwork, and no money for immediate needs.
Realize that protecting your personal and financial information is one the smartest things you can do to prepare for the unexpected. While these steps may seem extreme, you'll know you can rest assured that no matter what happens, you're one step ahead of the disaster and can rebuild your life quickly and easily.

Article continued below

sponsored by:
PPAI BUSINESS PARTNERS

TOP SHELF TIP NO. 52
"The greatest obstacle to discovery is not ignorance -- it is the illusion of knowledge."

Daniel J. Boorstin, an American historian, professor, attorney, and writer, 1914-2004

     Yesterday and today Promotional Consultant Today is discussing 10 ways to keep your financial and personal information safe. Yesterday we looked at home safes, safety deposit boxes, financial disaster kits, an emergency fund and keeping cash on hand. Today we'll look at five additional guidelines.

Have An Emergency Credit Card
     Keep one credit card account empty and save it just for emergency use. Get the bank to issue two credit cards for this account, one in your name and one in your spouse's name or another family member. Keep one card in your home safe and the other in your safety deposit box. Do not store this card in your wallet. If you do, you may be tempted to use it and won't have the credit available should you need it during a disaster.

Back-Up Your Computer Regularly
     Since many people claim that they store their entire life on their computer, make sure you back-up your computer every day. You have a number of options for data back-up. Some people prefer to use a CD, USB data stick, or tape drive. In this case, you have to remember to keep the back-up with you or in a safe place.
     Another option is to use one of the many internet-based data back-up systems that are available for a monthly fee. This way you don't have to physically store anything or remember to grab any files. They will be waiting for you online should you ever need them. Whatever back-up method you choose, practice restoring your back-up so you know what to do should the need arise.

Make An Inventory Of Your Valuables
     This inventory should be in photo or video format. Keep a physical copy of the photos or videos, put a copy on your computer's hard drive, and keep a back-up copy on CD or DVD and store it either in your home safe or in your safety deposit box. Include copies of purchase receipts for large items, such as televisions, computers, expensive jewelry or artwork, and furniture.

Review Your Insurance Policies
     Pull out your home and auto insurance policies and see if they need any updating. Make sure that your replacement values for your home or cars are not too low. This is also a good time to consider purchasing disability insurance, which will protect you and enable you to generate income should you become disabled during a disaster.

Back-Up Your Back-Ups
     Make a copy of all your financial records, documents, deeds, and your financial disaster kit. Then send this packet of information to a trusted relative or friend who lives in another part of the country. Instruct this person to keep your packet in a safe place, such as a home safe or safety deposit box. This is your final layer of protection; even if a disaster affects a large geographic area, your information is still safe somewhere else in the country.

     Source: Douglas Charney, senior vice president-Investments of Wachovia Securities in Harrisburg, PA. Wachovia Securities, LLC, Member NYSE & SIPC, is a separate nonblank affiliate of Wachovia Corporation.

Forward email

Return to Archive List