Creating a Financial Grab-and-Go Kit
Nora Rhoades, Family and Youth Development Agent
The content in this article was published on 9-18-17 in the K-State Research and Extension Prepare Kansas blog by Family Resource Management Specialist, Elizabeth Kiss.
If you had a few precious minutes to leave your home or office, what would you take?
It’s a good idea to have an updated financial grab-and-go kit.
Why is this important? If you have your most important documents and information at hand in a grab-and-go kit, it can help to get you back on firm financial footing more quickly.
Your kit should be a waterproof, fireproof container that can be taken with you at a moment’s notice. Be sure to keep it in a secure place in your home.
What should you include in your kit? At a minimum you’ll want to have some cash and the financial information and personal identification needed to conduct your day-to-day financial life.
Other information to include in your grab-and-go kit:
It’s a good idea to have an updated financial grab-and-go kit.
Why is this important? If you have your most important documents and information at hand in a grab-and-go kit, it can help to get you back on firm financial footing more quickly.
Your kit should be a waterproof, fireproof container that can be taken with you at a moment’s notice. Be sure to keep it in a secure place in your home.
What should you include in your kit? At a minimum you’ll want to have some cash and the financial information and personal identification needed to conduct your day-to-day financial life.
Other information to include in your grab-and-go kit:
- Personal information such as copies of driver’s licenses, passport, and social security cards and key documents that may be needed to restore your financial records
- Account information such as financial account numbers; copies of ATM, debit, and credit cards; insurance cards, policies, or other proof of insurance coverage; and contact information for all financial service and insurance providers
- Household inventory
- Safe deposit key
- Information about prescription medication
- Contact information (phone, email, or web site) for family members, doctors, veterinarians
- Pocket notebook and pen or pencil
- Family records, such as birth, marriage, or death certificates may be kept in a safe deposit box. If they are, consider making copies for your grab-and-go box. Other items that may be in safe deposit box include wills, contracts, deeds, stocks, and bond as well as titles to vehicles. Again, if the original is in a safe deposit box, you still may want to make copies for your grab-and-go box.
