BINDER-A-LONG PART 2: ORGANIZING AND EMERGENCY LISTS

Ok, hopefully you have your supplies and are ready to start making this binder functional!

(If you missed the beginning, here is the link to the post)
     PART 1: GATHERING

Grab your binder(s), tabs, pockets, envelopes, etc.  The first step is to organize.

Remember, this is your binder.  If you want to do something a little different, place things in different sections, have a different order, or even have different sections than me, please do so!  Also remember that every situation is different.  You may not have all the recomended items, or you may have other scenarios in your life that you need to include.  This is a basic outline to help you think of everything.

I identified 12 sections I want my binder to have.  I am giving a pocket tab for each of these sections.  (My apologies, I should have told you to get 2 sets of tabs...it's not too late, just add it to your shopping list).  These sections are
   1.  Emergency
   2.  Family
   3.  Medical
   4.  Insurance
   5.  Financial
   6.  Auto
   7.  Housing
   8.  Education
   9.  Employment
   10. Life Planning
   11. Pets
   12. Other

Label your tabs and place in your binder.
Put a few page protectors behind each tab.
Decide which sections  you probably want pouches in.
Put some blank lined paper behind the "other" tab.
Put a pen and a mechanical pencil in a pouch.
Make a cover sheet for your binder(s).  I will be including a current  family photo on the cover of mine with the words "Stoddard Emergency Binder" or something similar.
Make a binder spine insert. (I find they  are a little easier to insert if they are made with cardstock).

Section 1:  Emergency
This is the section where you want all important information at your fingertips.  Consider Including:

     Emergency Contacts: Family & Friends addresses and phone numbers, Phone Tree Contacts, Kids' School and Daycare Centers, Important business associates, Doctors, Dentists, and local hospitals/clinics, Business work numbers and contacts, Neighbor Contact info, Local non-emergency numbers for police, fire, ambulance, City and Utilities.

         Your emergency plan
         Evacuation Checklist, including a list of things to quickly grab if you need to leave your home
         Maps (GPS may not be working)
         List of vital websites and Passwords.  (If you are worried about privacy, make up a code such as all numbers are listed 2 higher than in reality)
         Keys to vehicles, home, and storage spaces.  (These fit great in a 9 pocket page protector--secure the top of each pocket with tape so nothing falls out)
         Emergency ID cards
         List of Local and regional hotels
         CASH (In a pouch)
       
Put all papers in page Protectors and along with your Cash pouch, put these in your binder under the first tab.

Pat yourself on the back, that was a lot of information to pull together.

I challenge you to start your Emergency Binder and include what your family needs in case of an emergency.  Get this much done in less than 2 weeks.

I will be working on my binder!  Remember to check in by commenting for some accountability and let me know when you have finished part 2.