Your family disaster plan should include specifics on how to contact one another in the event of a disaster. All family members, including children, should know what to do, as well as any regular caregivers or babysitters (especially in the case of babies or young children). When disaster strikes, your family may not be together. Some may be at work or school or at a number or various activities or at the homes of friends. Making sure that everyone is safe an accounted for is usually the first priority for families. During a disaster, it may be easier to make … Continue reading →

There are so many reasons that you should make sure that you, your family and your loved ones are prepared. From natural disasters and terrorist activity, to economic depression and food shortages, to medical emergencies and health threats to unexpected job loss and a change in resources, the odds of you coming out alright increases greatly when you have done some preparation in advance. Being prepared does not mean being scared. In fact, it is the opposite. Knowing that you have a plan and the resources to get through the unexpected can really give you peace of mind. What is … Continue reading →

One important part of preparing for the future is having your finances in order. The money blog here at families.com is a great resource for learning to budget your money, save, invest, and get out of debt. Here are some great articles to read that will help you be financially prepared for whatever life has to offer: Preparing for death: Writing Down Your Wishes Everyone should have a will, especially those with children or those married with children from a previous relationship. The Basics of Estate Planning For more information on starting a will or trust, read this article. Getting … Continue reading →

If you are a mother (or father) who stays home with the children, you may not consider how important it might be to have a plan for having to provide for the family in the event of an emergency. However uncomfortable the topic may seem, it is important to consider what your family would do in the event of the death, disability, or job loss of the breadwinner. Stay-at-home parents must make sure to have a fall-back plan in the event that they must go to work. Be educated. Some women who get married and have children young do not … Continue reading →

None of us wants to admit that there might be a time when there is a sudden loss of income. A job loss or disability can be devastating. However, if you prepare before something like this happens, you will have a sense of security even at this uncertain time. Get disability insurance. How would you provide for your family if one of the two family breadwinners was injured? Or what if the sole provider for your family was not able to go to work? If you are relatively healthy, disability insurance can be quite inexpensive. Of course this depends on … Continue reading →

With all of our daily, weekly, and monthly expenses, it can be really hard to set any money aside for a rainy day. But, it can be possible even if you do not think so. And, the money you save is one of the most useful things you can have in the event of an emergency. Budget your money. By budgeting and allocating your expenses, you can more easily set aside money into your savings. If you do not make plans for saving your money, it most likely will not happen. You may choose to set aside a certain percentage … Continue reading →

For those of you who are married and have had children, remember registering at the various stores for certain gifts and such? Recall how frustrating it could be trying to figure out what you wanted, the quantity, and the color of that item? Let’s skip ahead a few years – there is a tragedy involving your home, everything is lost. Not a very happy thought, but it can happen to any of us. It may be a home fire, tornado, hurricane, or even a flood. Now imagine the days following these events and everything you will be doing and what … Continue reading →