Well, you finally made it....The Baby Boomer Generation (1946-1964) is moving on. Are you organized enough to handle it? As we are getting closer to retirement, the baby boomer generation(otherwise known as, 50 Plus), is getting ready to down scale and have more time for the fun things in life. We want to be organized and have less house cleaning chores to contend with, and more time to do the 'fun' things in life. With these little lists and guidelines to help you, you will be organized and have a clean house, in no time at all.
So, let's get organized for the next phase of our lives. It's time to get all of those papers in order that our families may need should we need emergency medical care or (heaven forbid) pass on unexpectedly, our home in order for 'easy cleaning', give ourselves the time to enjoy life and make our lives as simplistic as possible.
Let's start out getting our paper in order: since this is an area that I get a lot of questions for from the Baby Boomer generatiion.
Paper Management is always important in our lives, but more so now, as we are getting ready for retirement. If you are like everyone else our age, the finances have been between you and your husband or wife, but what if something happens? Are your kids or other family members going to be able to find everything and get all of the information that they need to fill out papers and forms? Sure, you probably think that you have it all under control, but read on and see if you can't pick up a few more hints that you may not have thought of.
What To Keep and Where To Keep It
In case of an emergency, we want to have access to the very important papers we need to assist those we love.
Personal Records
Birth certificates, adoption papers, citizenship records, marriage certificates, divorce documents, military service records, passports and social security cards should be stored in a safe or safe deposit box. You may also want to keep my booklet ‘My Last Wishes’ in here so your family can find it. Make a copy and store it in your filing cabinet, leaving the original in a safe place.
Tax Returns
Required by law to be retained permanently, supporting tax information must be retained for 6 years. Keep tax returns in a safe deposit box or safe in your home. Keep the supporting documents stored in your home in a box labeled with the year.
Life Insurance Policies
Retain the initial policy as well as any addendums, keep them in a safe.
Keep a list of the policy numbers and insurance companies in a file in your file cabinet labeling the file “Insurance – Life” or in my book ‘My Organized Personal Records’.
Legal Documents
Powers of attorney and wills, should be kept in a safe in your home and at your attorneys. Give a copy of the important document to the executor and family members. Do not keep these in a safe deposit box, as this may be sealed when the box owner dies.
Property Information
The deed to your home, mortgage, or car title, should be kept in a safe deposit box or in your home safe. For home repair and maintenance bills, keep these in a filing cabinet labeled “Home Repair”. Also use my book ‘Repair and Maintenance‘, where all information is kept in a handy booklet form. A household inventory is important in the event of a home catastrophe. Your insurance provider will need proof of loss in the event of a fire, flood, or robbery. Videotape or photograph your possessions. Place the photos in a notebook with receipts and appraisals for expensive items. There is room to do this in my book ‘My Organized Personal Records.
Always keep a copy of Important Information that is kept in Your wallet
If your wallet is lost of stolen, it is important to keep a copy of the contents. Using a copy machine, photocopy the front and back of your credit cards, driver’s license, insurance cards and all else in your wallet. If you don’ use one of my books, keep this information in your safe.
Keep Your Information Safe; with these tips
Choose a safe that is fire proof.
Choose a filing cabinet with a lock and key.
Safe deposit boxes can be rented at a bank and some UPS stores, often at a reduced rate.
By organizing your documents in case of a family emergency, you will feel peace of mind and security and so will your family.
Please check out the Home Inventory System
You probably will have wished that you would have filled these (The Home Inventory System) out a lot earlier in life. There must have been a hundred times that you have gone through your filing cabinets and papers looking for information that would have been included in these books (if only you would have had them) that would have made life so much simpler. Plus the fact that all of your original documents would have been left in a safe place and virtually untouched.
These would come in handy for insurance claims in case of fire, water damage, theft, home loans and countless other things.
Some of you are looking forward to retirement. You have worked hard all of your lives and are waiting for the day that you dion't have to punch the clock. Here is something to think about as you are making those plans-Is Retirement a Blessing or a Hazard
Self Improvement
Self Improvement the Easy Way
How to NOT Vegetate as you get older
Moving
Are you thinking about Moving?
So, Now You Are Going to Retire and Downsize: Where Do You Start
Death in the Family
Bereavement Guide
Raising Grandchildren
Home away from home
Grandma and Grandpa make memories
Wellness
Arthritis Tips
Living Alone vs. a Retirement or Nursing Home
Plese check out other areas of the site for information on Paper management, Stress Management, Senior Citizens, Moving and send an email for any requests that you might have to Easy_organizing@yahoo.com
