Need Margarita. NOT Rita.
It was my hope to make an actual post today; however I'm distracted by Tropical Storm Rita. Over the weekend, I sorted important documents and made preparations to evacuate Galveston Island if the time comes.
1) Memorize your Social Security Number and the Social Security Number of your spouse and any minor children.
2) Take pictures & make a list of everything you own.
Open every drawer and closet because you will forget what you have. Also take pictures in attic, garage. Take pictures of trees, fences and exteriors of car and home. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you:
a.) Purchase enough insurance to replace the things you own.
b.) Get your insurance claims settled faster.
c.) Substantiate losses for your income tax return.
You can always simply make a list in a notebook and save receipts and photos in a file. The Insurance Information Institute (http://www.iii.org/) has a FREE "Home Inventory...Know Your Stuff" software program that you can download to make this process of taking a home inventory as easy and complete as possible. (http://www.knowyourstuff.org/how.htm) Additional information on Hurricane Insurance (http://www.disasterinformation.org/)
3) Check on the terms of your debit card.
Make sure you have a debit card that allows you, even if you are in a territory outside of the United States, to access your money.
Also have the following items in case of emergency:
a.) an emergency credit card that you do not use that allows you to take out cash advances
b.) $200-300 emergency cash
c.) traveler's checks
d.) extra checks
4) Gather important documents and make copies to send to friend/relative out of area.
Wills
Trusts
Advanced Directive & Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Birth Certificates
Adoption Certificates
Death Certificates
Military Records (http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html)
Divorce Decree
Marriage Certificate
Social Security Cards (http://www.ssa.gov/)
Driver’s Licenses
Green Card or Citizenship papers (http://uscis.gov./graphics/formsfee/index.htm)
Insurance Policies & Cards (life, health, home, auto, long term care, medicare)
Medical Records
Copies of prescriptions
Credit Cards (copy both the front & back of each card)
Bank Statements
Passports (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html)
Diplomas
Student Loans
Emergency Contact List
(If you need to order copy's of birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees or marriage certificates go here: http://www.vitalcheck.com)
5) Spare set of keys for home, cars, boats, recreational vehicles, and safe deposit boxes.
6) Put everything into a waterproof/fireproof box.
7) Don't forget your pets! (http://www.wakegov.com/general/emergency/hurricanes/pets.htm)
1) Memorize your Social Security Number and the Social Security Number of your spouse and any minor children.
2) Take pictures & make a list of everything you own.
Open every drawer and closet because you will forget what you have. Also take pictures in attic, garage. Take pictures of trees, fences and exteriors of car and home. Having an up-to-date home inventory will help you:
a.) Purchase enough insurance to replace the things you own.
b.) Get your insurance claims settled faster.
c.) Substantiate losses for your income tax return.
You can always simply make a list in a notebook and save receipts and photos in a file. The Insurance Information Institute (http://www.iii.org/) has a FREE "Home Inventory...Know Your Stuff" software program that you can download to make this process of taking a home inventory as easy and complete as possible. (http://www.knowyourstuff.org/how.htm) Additional information on Hurricane Insurance (http://www.disasterinformation.org/)
3) Check on the terms of your debit card.
Make sure you have a debit card that allows you, even if you are in a territory outside of the United States, to access your money.
Also have the following items in case of emergency:
a.) an emergency credit card that you do not use that allows you to take out cash advances
b.) $200-300 emergency cash
c.) traveler's checks
d.) extra checks
4) Gather important documents and make copies to send to friend/relative out of area.
Wills
Trusts
Advanced Directive & Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care
Birth Certificates
Adoption Certificates
Death Certificates
Military Records (http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/standard-form-180.html)
Divorce Decree
Marriage Certificate
Social Security Cards (http://www.ssa.gov/)
Driver’s Licenses
Green Card or Citizenship papers (http://uscis.gov./graphics/formsfee/index.htm)
Insurance Policies & Cards (life, health, home, auto, long term care, medicare)
Medical Records
Copies of prescriptions
Credit Cards (copy both the front & back of each card)
Bank Statements
Passports (http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html)
Diplomas
Student Loans
Emergency Contact List
(If you need to order copy's of birth certificates, death certificates, divorce decrees or marriage certificates go here: http://www.vitalcheck.com)
5) Spare set of keys for home, cars, boats, recreational vehicles, and safe deposit boxes.
6) Put everything into a waterproof/fireproof box.
7) Don't forget your pets! (http://www.wakegov.com/general/emergency/hurricanes/pets.htm)