Practical tip: Three yearly tasks caregiving taught me to be prepared

Assalamu alaikum - instead of a New Year’s resolution, try doing these three things once a year. It only takes an hour or two and can save a lot of stress later, Insha'Allah. 1. Photograph every room in your home. Open every drawer, closet, and cabinet and take photos of those too. If there’s ever a major loss (fire, flood), having clear photos makes insurance claims much easier. Believe me, trying to list every single item from memory is really hard. 2. Add a beneficiary to every account and check it yearly. Verify beneficiary designations every year, no matter your age. Bank accounts, retirement accounts, any place you keep money. And remember: every separate “pot” needs its own beneficiary - a new CD or a new investment needs its own designation. A will shows your wishes, but it may still go through probate, which can take a long time and cost a chunk. If there’s a named beneficiary, assets can transfer more directly. 3. Keep contact info on all accounts up to date. Make sure mailing addresses and email addresses are current. When my parent became disabled, I didn’t know where all their bills and accounts were. Getting mail or email notices of unpaid bills or reminders really helped track things down. While you’re at it, turn on notifications for transactions, payment reminders, and renewal alerts. I learned these the hard way after suddenly caring for a disabled parent and an elderly grandparent. I now do these checks for myself every year, even as a young person. It’s never too early to prepare, Alhamdulillah. Bonus tip: appoint a durable financial power of attorney and a medical POA before you need them. I can’t stress enough how much easier things would have been if power of attorney had been set up for my parent while they were still able to do it themselves.