#171 - Are your affairs in order?
This is never a pleasant subject to bring up, but one that’s necessary. We rarely think about our own mortality until it’s too late. As a former financial advisor, I am well aware of the pitfalls of failing to have your financial and medical affairs in order.
Most of the time when we talk about getting our affairs in order, it has to do with legal stuff. Wills, trusts, beneficiary designations, and maybe even written health care directives in the event you are incapacitated.
But, another aspect of getting your affairs in order is contact information. In case of emergency, who should the authorities call? Do you have a paper trail or some other way of letting people know who to contact?
Make sure that when you are traveling alone, someone else knows your travel plans, when you’re leaving, where you’re going, and when you’ll be back. Pilots are supposed to file a flight plan when flying, it’s recommended that boaters share a float plan with their marina, family members, or friends. Take the same precaution when you are traveling, hiking, biking, alone especially if it’s for an extended period of time.
My hope is that this motivate you to get your affairs in order and review the information at least annually. This is not really for your benefit. It’s for the benefit of those that we leave behind.